When families first connect with our Allied Health team, we often hear the same question:
“What does each service actually do, and how can we access it?”
It is completely understandable to feel unsure at first. Terms like Behaviour Support and Capacity Assessments can sound clinical or confusing if you haven’t come across them before.
This blog explains each service in simple, everyday language, so you can understand what it involves, how it can help, and the types of funding that may be available to support you.
Behaviour support
Behaviour Support focuses on understanding why behaviours occur and finding ways to respond that are safe, respectful and effective.
Instead of asking, “How do we stop this behaviour?”, Behaviour Support explores questions such as:
- What might the behaviour be communicating
- What needs may not be met
- What environmental or sensory factors could be contributing
- How we can teach safer and more helpful skills
Behaviour Support Practitioners work with children, young people, and adults. They also collaborate with families, carers, and schools. Support can include developing behaviour support plans, build regulation skills, and reduce restrictive practices.
Funding commonly used
Behaviour Support is typically funded under:
- Improved Relationships (NDIS: Specialist Behaviour Support)
Some people may also use funding from related areas within:
- Capacity Building categories, depending on their individual plan and goals
Funding varies for each participant based on their needs and NDIS plan.
Psychology
Psychology support focuses on nurturing emotional wellbeing, supporting mental health, and helping people build practical coping skills to manage life’s challenges.
Psychologists use evidence-based therapies and diagnostic methods to guide their work and make sure individuals get effective care. Our psychologists offer caring, person‑centred, and trauma-informed support for children, young people, and adults. They can assist with a wide range of experiences, including:
- Anxiety
- Low mood
- Emotional regulation
- Trauma
- Social challenges
- School‑related stress
- Adjustment difficulties
Sessions are tailored to each individual and may include therapeutic support, skill‑building, parent or carer guidance, and collaboration with schools to help create consistent strategies across environments.
Funding commonly used
Psychology services may be accessed through:
- Improved Daily Living (NDIS – Capacity Building)
- A GP referral under a Mental Health Treatment Plan (Medicare)
- Department of Veteran’s Affairs
- Private payment
Funding pathways depend on eligibility and individual circumstances. In some cases, telehealth appointments can be bulk billed under a MHTP from a GP.
Diagnostic and capacity assessments
Assessments help create a clearer picture of a person’s strengths, support needs and how they manage across different situations and environments. They offer useful insights that guide support planning in a way that is personalised and meaningful.
Depending on the individual, assessments may explore:
- Cognitive functioning
- Adaptive skills
- Emotional and behavioural presentation
- Functional capacity
- Diagnostic clarification (such as ADHD, Autism or other developmental conditions)
Assessments can provide valuable information that can support personalised planning, guide school adjustments, strengthen funding reviews and help with setting meaningful goals.
Funding commonly used
Assessments may be funded through:
- Improved Daily Living (NDIS – Capacity Building)
- Plan review or reassessment budgets (depending on plan structure)
- Private payment
Diagnostic pathways outside of NDIS may involve private fees or Medicare support (where eligible).
Counselling
Counselling provides a caring, supportive space where people can talk openly about what they are experiencing. It is a time to slow down, reflect and feel heard, while building insight and learning new ways to cope.
Counselling may support with:
- Life transitions and changes
- Stress and feeling overwhelmed
- Grief and loss
- Relationship or family challenges
- Identity and adjustment
- Foster care experiences and placement changes
Our approach is collaborative and strengths‑based. Counselling can be short‑term or ongoing, depending on what feels right for each person.
Funding commonly used
Counselling may be accessed through:
- Improved Daily Living (NDIS: Capacity Building)
- Medicare, where applicable and with a referral
- Department of Veteran’s Affairs
- Private payment
The type of funding available varies based on each person’s plan, situation, and eligibility.
Not sure which service is right?
You do not need to have everything figured out before getting in touch. If you are unsure which service might be the best fit, our team is here to listen, learn about your goals, and help guide you toward a helpful starting point.
We understand that funding categories can feel confusing or overwhelming. We are always happy to talk through your individual plan and explain what may be possible for your situation.
Ready to get started?
If you would like to learn more, ask questions or talk through the best support options for you or your family, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to our team anytime online, or by calling 1800 795 441
