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There is currently a limited understanding of the characteristics of the workforce of behaviour support practitioners in Australia. A better understanding will help future considerations of training requirements, professional credentialling and associated professional regulation. A cross‐sectional online survey captured the demographic and work‐related characteristics of those who develop behaviour intervention plans for people with disability in Australia. The sample (n = 423) was primarily female (78 per cent), aged 26–45 years (57 per cent) and held a graduate (39 per cent) or postgraduate (53 per cent) degree. The largest single professional group was psychologists (28 per cent). The most common duration of experience was 1 year. Approximately half of the respondents were allied health practitioners either registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or a member of the National Alliance of Self‐Regulating Health Professionals. The majority of practitioners had registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme to provide behaviour support services (85 per cent). Both clients and services were concentrated in metropolitan regions, raising concerns regarding equity of access to behaviour support in remote communities, and among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Given the vulnerability of many people with disabilities in receipt of behaviour support, ongoing policy and procedure work is needed to ensure professional credentialling and regulation of the workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the experiences of behaviour support practitioners providing positive behaviour support (PBS) under the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), including perceived barriers and enablers of practice, and ongoing support needs. It reports on data provided by NDIS PBS practitioners (n = 392) in a cross‐sectional mixed methods survey employed to examine the characteristics and experiences of behaviour support practitioners working across Australia. Qualitative data from open‐ended questions were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The key barriers to practice included “the current service systems,” “engaging and collaborating with stakeholders” and “limited PBS expertise across the sector.” Enablers of good practice related to “organisation systems and practice supports/tools,” “practice supervision” and “quality training and professional development opportunities.” Ongoing support needs identified included the need for “further PBS training,” “improved service systems” and “access to clinical supports and practice guidance.” Findings suggest that whilst some practitioners report positive experiences, a large majority experience significant barriers to their PBS practice. They describe potential supports to overcome these barriers, which emphasise the need for further PBS training, clinical supervision/oversight and more efficient service systems. Findings have implications for PBS practice, policy and research in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]