What applied behaviour analysis is
Applied behaviour analysis uses principles of learning, such as breaking skills into small steps and reinforcing progress, to help a person build skills in communication, play, self care and daily routines. Early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI) is a structured, high hours form used with young children.
Many newer programs blend ABA principles with developmental approaches and are delivered through play and everyday routines, often called naturalistic developmental behavioural interventions. Some autistic adults and advocates have criticised older, compliance focused ABA, so what a program actually looks like day to day matters more than its name.
How the NDIS decides
The NDIS Supports Transitional Rules list therapeutic supports, meaning evidence based therapy that helps improve or maintain functioning, as NDIS supports. A separate list names alternative therapies the NDIS will not fund, and ABA is not on it.
That does not mean ABA is automatically funded. Like any support, it must be related to your child's disability, help with their goals, be value for money and be likely to be effective. The NDIA funds supports, not brands of therapy, so the amount in a plan reflects your child's needs rather than a program's recommended hours.
What the national guideline says
The National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation and wellbeing of autistic children and their families was developed by Autism CRC and approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council. It covers children aged 0 to 12 and makes 84 recommendations about choosing, planning, delivering and monitoring supports.
Rather than naming one best therapy, it focuses on supports chosen with the child and family, built around the child's interests and strengths, delivered in everyday settings and checked regularly to see whether they are working. That is a useful lens for judging any ABA program.
How ABA is claimed
There is no ABA support item. The provider claims under the item for the practitioner's profession:
- A psychologist uses psychology items, up to $252.99 an hour in most of Australia for 2026/27
- A speech pathologist or occupational therapist uses their own items, up to $193.99 an hour
- A practitioner whose discipline is not listed separately, such as a behaviour analyst, may claim under the other therapeutic professional items, up to $156.16 an hour, where the provider considers them appropriate under the NDIS Commission's requirements for therapeutic supports
- Therapy assistants working under a therapist's supervision use therapy assistant items, $56.16 or $86.79 an hour
- For children younger than 9, therapy is usually claimed as early childhood supports, which have their own items
ABA and behaviour support are different
Specialist positive behaviour support is a separate NDIS support for people whose behaviours of concern put them or others at risk. It involves a behaviour support plan written by a behaviour support practitioner, and any regulated restrictive practice must be authorised and reported. An ABA skills program is not a behaviour support plan, and it must never use restrictive practices as part of therapy.
What changed in 2026
Since 1 October 2026, funding for improved daily living skills, where most therapy sits, is reduced by 10% when a plan is created, reassessed or renewed. From 1 February 2027, the NDIA must also consider what parents are expected to provide for any child of a similar age when deciding what is reasonable and necessary.
Thriving Kids started rolling out on 1 October 2026 for children 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs. Children already in the NDIS keep their plans, and access rules for children do not change until 1 January 2028.
Questions to ask an ABA provider
- What qualifications and supervision do your staff have, and which NDIS items will you claim?
- How do you make sure my child is comfortable and willing, and what happens if they are distressed?
- How are goals chosen, and how will we measure progress?
- How will you coach us as parents so skills carry over into daily life?
- What does a typical week cost, including reports, travel and cancellations?