Why Senior Practitioners exist
Restrictive practices limit a person's rights or freedom of movement, so governments want an independent, expert check on their use. Under the NDIS, the NDIS Commission oversees behaviour support and regulated restrictive practices by NDIS providers, while each state and territory keeps the laws and policies that authorise them.
In several jurisdictions that authorising role sits with a Senior Practitioner: an experienced clinician or official appointed under state or territory law to lead practice, set expectations and make or oversee authorisation decisions.
Where there is a Senior Practitioner
Based on the Western Australian Government's 2025 summary of state and territory frameworks:
- ACT: the Office of the Senior Practitioner, under the Senior Practitioner Act 2018. Positive behaviour support plans are approved by independent panels registered with the Senior Practitioner, and restrictive practices are authorised once the Senior Practitioner registers the plan
- Northern Territory: a Senior Practitioner in the Department of Health authorises regulated restrictive practices under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Authorisations) Act 2019
- Tasmania: the Senior Practitioner in the Department of Premier and Cabinet authorises under the Disability Rights, Inclusion and Safeguarding Act 2024, for up to 12 months, and can determine that other practices are restrictive practices
- Victoria: the Victorian Senior Practitioner, under the Disability Act 2006. Authorised Program Officers in providers can authorise chemical and environmental restraint, but seclusion, physical restraint and mechanical restraint also need the Senior Practitioner's approval
Where it works differently
- NSW: a Restrictive Practice Authorisation Panel convened by the implementing provider
- Queensland: the department, guardians or the Public Guardian, and QCAT for seclusion and containment
- South Australia: a Senior Authorising Officer in the Restrictive Practices Unit, with Authorised Program Officers for lower level practices
- Western Australia: a Quality Assurance Panel with an independent behaviour support practitioner
How Senior Practitioners work with the NDIS Commission
The NDIS Commission works with state and territory authorising bodies, including Senior Practitioners, through a Senior Practitioners practice leadership group. That group has helped shape national resources such as the Commission's Medication Purpose Form and its behaviour support fact sheets.
For providers, the practical split is simple. You get authorisation through the state or territory process, then lodge evidence of it with the NDIS Commission and report use every month.
Reviews and appeals
If a provider, participant or family disagrees with a decision, the route depends on the jurisdiction. In Victoria you can appeal to the Office of the Senior Practitioner and then the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. In Tasmania the Office of the Senior Practitioner reviews first, then the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. In the ACT, reviewable decisions can go to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal. In the Northern Territory, the Department of Health's chief executive reviews first, with escalation to the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Tips for providers
- Learn the framework in each state you work in, because definitions, prohibited practices and timeframes differ
- Contact the Senior Practitioner's office early if a plan includes practices that need their approval
- Track authorisation end dates alongside behaviour support plan reviews
- Use the Senior Practitioner's guidance and training on reducing restrictive practices, not just on getting them approved