Frequently Asked Questions

 Face-to-face sessions are only part of our work. Under NDIS rules, Behaviour Support Practitioners must write detailed reports such as Interim Behaviour Support Plans, Functional Behaviour Assessments, and Comprehensive Behaviour Support Plans. These documents are mandatory and must meet the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission’s requirements — including uploading to PRODA, responding to Restrictive Practices, and ensuring the participant’s rights are protected. While it may seem like “just paperwork,” it’s legally required and heavily regulated. 

 Because essential work happens behind the scenes — including:

• Analysing data
• Responding to emails/text messages/emails etc
• Writing and uploading reports
• Responding to incident reports
• Attending care team meetings
• Reading reports/creating strategies/resources
• Advocating for funding or supports All of this must be documented to meet NDIS compliance standards, and it is billed under your funding.

 RPs are strategies that restrict a person’s rights or freedom, such as locking a door, using medication to control behaviour, or physically blocking someone from moving. Under the NDIS, these must only be used if absolutely necessary and authorised through a Behaviour Support Plan. Only registered providers can use RPs lawfully — and only after a proper assessment, risk review, and oversight by the NDIS Commission.

 It depends. While families might be trying to manage safety, they are still bound by NDIS rules if the participant is NDIS-funded. If a family member uses a restrictive practice (e.g., locking a bedroom door every night), it must be reported and assessed. Practitioners can work with families to find safer, less restrictive alternatives — but this process must be transparent, respectful, and documented. 

 An FBA helps us understand why certain behaviours occur — not just what’s happening. It’s a structured process of observation, data collection, and analysis. The NDIS requires this to create a proper Behaviour Support Plan and determine if there are underlying triggers or unmet needs. It’s essential for getting the right support and justifying ongoing funding. 

Not submitting reports can result in:

• Breaches of NDIS Practice Standards
• Loss of practitioner registration
• Funding delays or denials
• Increased risk to the participant

That’s why our team prioritises quality reporting — not just to tick boxes, but to protect participants and their access to support.

 Under NDIS rules, if medication is used to influence behaviour, it is legally considered a chemical restraint — regardless of whether the family, GP, or even the psychiatrist agrees or disagrees. This classification is not based on opinion — it’s based on how the medication is used, not what it is. The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission has the final say. If the medication is used:

• To reduce aggression,
• To manage ‘outbursts’,
• To prevent escalation...

…it must be reported and regulated as a restrictive practice. It does not matter if the intention is “just to calm them down” or “help them sleep” — if it modifies behaviour, it’s reportable.

Your Service Agreement includes consent for services and the associated billing within your available plan budget. Practitioners do not need to get approval for each hour in real time. We are expected to deliver the support required to meet your goals — which often means responding quickly to changes, risks, or behavioural needs without delay.

 No. If services were delivered in line with the NDIS Price Guide and your signed Service Agreement, you are obligated to pay the invoice. Disagreeing with a charge doesn’t mean you can withhold payment. However, if you believe an error occurred, you're encouraged to raise it in writing — we will investigate and, if appropriate, issue a correction or credit note. But payment must still be made by the due date. 

 If you have concerns about your funding or need to review priorities, we’ll absolutely work with you to plan accordingly. But we cannot pause critical or compliance-related work (e.g. PRODA uploads, Restrictive Practice reporting, crisis management) as these are obligations under the NDIS Commission. 

 This is the standard under the NDIS Pricing Arrangements. All work — whether face-to-face, phone calls, meetings, or documentation — is billed in 15-minute increments in line with the relevant line item  and service agreement.

 We’ll do our best to notify you if funding is getting low, but it is ultimately the participant's responsibility (or the support coordinator’s) to monitor budgets. If services continue after funds are exhausted, they may need to be privately paid, or service delivery may be paused until the next plan is active.

 No. Families cannot override national legislation. Even if they feel it’s necessary or disagree with the label, if a restrictive practice is being used, it must be formally documented and regulated under the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018. Failure to report can lead to serious consequences for the practitioner and provider. 

 Not always. Medication prescribed for medical conditions (like epilepsy or schizophrenia) is not classified as a restrictive practice — unless it's being used to manage behaviours of concern. If a medication’s primary or secondary use is to sedate, calm, or reduce challenging behaviour (especially on a PRN basis), then it's still a chemical restraint.

Being prescribed by a doctor does not automatically exclude it from NDIS reporting requirements.

 The NDIS Commission mandates that any restrictive practice in use — with or without consent — must be reported. If consent is withheld, the Behaviour Support Practitioner is still obligated to:

• Document the practice in the Behaviour Support Plan
• Notify the Commission via PRODA
• Work towards reduction strategies
• Engage in positive behaviour support

If a family refuses to allow this, the provider must consider whether they can legally and ethically continue working with the participant. The risk and liability are too high to ignore.

 We understand that NDIS funding is deeply personal — it’s your plan, and your choice matters. However, there are rules we must follow.
While your funding belongs to you and you're free to choose your providers, those providers (like CRAMLI) have legal obligations under the NDIS, including strict guidelines around behaviour support, restrictive practices, and clinical decision-making.

Think of it like this:
Just as you wouldn’t tell a doctor what medication to prescribe, behaviour support professionals must follow clinical evidence, compliance laws, and reporting requirements — not personal instructions.

We work with you — not for you in the traditional sense.
Our role is to support you safely, legally, and ethically, and to ensure your services align with your NDIS goals and the NDIS Commission’s requirements.

 Not always — switching providers usually means starting again.
Behaviour support is highly regulated under the NDIS. When you change providers, the new practitioner is legally required to do their own assessments, observations, and planning — they cannot rely solely on previous work unless it meets all current compliance standards.

Even if the former provider completed a report, the new practitioner must take professional responsibility for the content and may need to reassess, rewrite, or re-upload everything to ensure it meets NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements.

 Switching practitioners within CRAMLI is much easier — and often more efficient.
If you’re not feeling comfortable with your current practitioner, we absolutely understand. Sometimes it's just not the right fit — and that’s okay.

Because all CRAMLI practitioners work under the same systems, policies, and supervision structure, a new practitioner can usually continue the work that’s already started. This includes accessing previous reports, assessments, and data, which means we can pick up where things left off rather than starting all over again.

We’ll do our best to match you with someone who better suits your communication style or support needs — and we’re always happy to listen to your concerns.