Language, definitions & acronyms
Skip to common definitions used by Authorised Program Officers
Skip to common acronyms used by Authorised Program Officers

Using plain language
As a key part of an Authorised Program Officer’s (APO’s) role is communicating with people – many of whom might not have specialised knowledge of behaviour support or indeed the disability sector – using plain language is essential.
Using plain language means using words that appear more often in everyday speech, so they are easier to read and understand.
Find out more about plain language in behaviour support from The Right Direction.
Plain language also means avoiding acronyms because not everyone understands them. A good test is to consider whether someone other than an APO would understand the acronym. If the answer is ‘no’, avoid the acronym and use the full term.
Read more about key terms and acronyms APOs are likely to encounter as part of their work.
Communicating clearly
APOs also need to be able to speak clearly about a person’s care to families and others involved in a person’s behaviour support plan, such as support workers.
Remember: many acronyms cause confusion for other people. It is therefore best practice to avoid acronyms.
For example, is a ‘BSP’ a ‘behaviour support plan’? A ‘Behaviour Support Practitioner’?
Is ‘PBS’ ‘positive behaviour support’? The ‘Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme’?
A list of common acronyms and their meanings is below, which is also a useful tool for APOs who are new to the sector.
Definitions
This table provides definitions for key terms and concepts Authorised Program Officers commonly encounter in their role:
Active support (sometimes referred to a ‘person-centred active support’) (or ‘PCAS’) is a systematic approach to the design, delivery and monitoring of services for people with intellectual disability. It is characterised by providing systematic supports that help to engage people in a range of ordinary everyday activities that are meaningful for the person and which enhance their health, wellbeing and quality of life. Active support can include activities at home and in the community. It typically involves enhanced social and communication opportunities, together with systematic skill development to increase people’s independence. In the context of behaviour support, these skills are sometimes referred to as Functionally Equivalent Replacement Behaviours. | |
| This is sometimes called ‘positive behaviour support’. | |
Behaviour Support Practitioners are professionals who work with people with disability who display behaviour(s) of concern to reduce those behaviours safely and improve the person’s quality of life. They:
An NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner is someone the NDIS Commission considers suitable to:
Behaviour Support Practitioners work with:
A key part of their role is working to reduce and/or eliminate use of regulated restrictive practices. | |
Behaviour(s) of concern have been defined as:
Behaviours of concern are actions that could cause physical and/or psychological harm to a person with disability or others. Common types of behaviours of concern include:
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The National Disability Insurance Scheme (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 define chemical restraint as: ‘The use of medication or chemical substance for the primary purpose of influencing a person’s behaviour. It does not include the use of medication prescribed by a medical practitioner for the treatment of, or to enable treatment of, a diagnosed mental disorder, a physical illness or a physical condition.' | |
A Circle of Support is a group of people who love and support a person with disability. They are not paid parts of a person’s support network, but are instead family, friends and other people who have long-term connections with the person. They care about the person with disability and have their best interests at heart. | |
This is a legislative review conducted by the Department of Families Fairness and Housing. It ensures providers have met their legislative requirements for authorising the use of restrictive practices as part of a behaviour support plan. | |
While ‘disability’ is defined in several ways in Australia, APOs will need to understand several definitions: The Disability Act 2006 defines disability as:
The NDIS defines disability as:
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines disability as:
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A service provider that does not receive NDIS funding is a non-NDIS funded provider of services to people with disabilities. Their funding will typically come from state government sources or other entities, such as the Transport Accident Commission or a private insurance company. The Disability Act 2006 defines disability service providers as ‘a person or body registered to provide disability services under the Social Services Regulation Act 2021.’ Find out more from the Department of Family, Fairness and Housing. | |
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 define environmental restraints as restricting a person from freely accessing all parts of their environment. Find out more about environmental restraints by watching the Department of Family, Fairness and Housing’s video. | |
Functionally equivalent replacement behaviours (FERBs) are alternative behaviours that serve the same purpose or fulfill the same function for the person with disability as the behaviour of concern (or challenging behaviour). They provide people using behaviours of concern with new, more appropriate ways of communicating their needs. With these changes, people can achieve the same outcomes that their behaviour of concern previously provided or attempted to achieve. Understanding the behaviour(s) of concern and their purpose is essential to include functionally equivalent replacement behaviours in behaviour support plans. Find out more about functionally equivalent replacement behaviours. | |
When relating to authorising and using a regulated restrictive practice, ‘harm to themselves or others’ is defined as physical harm under the Disability Act 2006. Psychological harm is also recognised by the NDIS (downloads PDF doc). APOs must also be conscious that regulated restrictive practices (eg: physical restraint, environmental restraint or seclusion) can impact the person who is subject to the restraint(s), causing negative emotional impact that may lead to:
Find out more about practices that present high risk of harm to NDIS participants (opens PDF doc). | |
The National Framework for Reducing and Eliminating the Use of Restrictive Practices in the Disability Service Sector (the ‘National Framework’) (opens PDF doc) defines human rights as: ‘Full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people with disability without discrimination of any kind, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities. ‘People with disability have equal rights to those of all members of society, including but not limited to the right to:
‘Recognising an individual’s rights is paramount. ‘Restrictive practices should occur only in very limited and specific circumstances, as a last resort and utilising the least restrictive practice and for the shortest period of time possible under the circumstances. ‘Restrictive practices should only be used where they are proportionate and justified in order to protect the rights or safety of the person or others.’ | |
An 'independent person' is someone who has a connection with the person with a disability. The APO appoints an independent person to explain the approved restrictive practice(s) to the person with the behaviour support plan and their right to seek a review of the proposed restrictive practice(s) if they disagree with their use. An independent person must not be connected to the provider or a paid support of the person with disability. They could be a member of the person’s Circle of Support. Using restrictive practices in Victoria for NDIS providers (downloads Word doc) is published by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing under information for APOs. Find out more about the independent person's role and the definition of independent person under Section 140 of the Disability Act 2006. | |
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 define mechanical restraint as: ‘The use of a device to prevent, restrict or subdue a person’s movement for the primary purpose of influencing a person’s behaviour but does not include the use of devices for therapeutic or non-behavioural purposes.' Purposes may include the use of a device to assist a person with functional activities as part of occupational therapy or to allow for safe transportation. | |
The National Disability Insurance Agency (more commonly known as the NDIA) is the government agency that delivers and manages the NDIS in Australia. Read more about the NDIA and its implementing role. | |
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (more commonly known as the NDIS) is a government program that provides funding and support for eligible people living with permanent disability in Australia. It aims to enhance the lives of people with disability to gain the skills and support they need to ‘gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life’. Read more about the NDIS. | |
More commonly known as ‘the NDIS Commission’, this independent Commonwealth agency regulates quality and safety of services delivered under the NDIS. Read more about the NDIS Commission and differences between the NDIS, NDIS Commission and NDIA. | |
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 define physical restraint as: ‘The sustained or prolonged use or action of physical force to prevent, restrict or subdue movement of a person’s body, or part of their body, for the primary purpose of influencing a person’s behaviour. ‘Physical restraint is distinct from the use of a hands-on technique in a reflexive way to guide or redirect a person away from potential harm/injury, consistent with what could reasonably be considered the exercise of care towards a person.’ Watch an animation about prohibited physical restraint from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. Refer also to the Victorian Senior Practitioner Direction, Physical Restraint Guidelines and Standards (opens PDF doc). | |
Whlie ‘positive behaviour support’ is sometimes called ‘behaviour support’, not all ‘behaviour support’ is considered 'positive behaviour support'. Positive behaviour support builds on the assumption that all behaviour happens for a reason. It is both an approach to providing support and a philosophy of support. As an approach to providing support, positive behaviour support is an evidence-informed process that can be used when a person’s behaviour is considered ‘a behaviour of concern’. It includes strategies to:
The goals are to:
Behaviour support must be focused on communication, human rights and the legislative governance that informs this practice, both at the Victorian and Commonwealth levels. Behaviour support should be person-centred and use an evidence-based approach to understanding a person’s behaviour and the reasons behind it. Thoroughly assessing the person’s needs, personal preferences and priorities is essential. This is best undertaken by a multi-disciplinary team. As a philosophy, positive behaviour support can be used to support a person’s development and quality of life more broadly. As such, a person doesn’t need to exhibit a behaviour of concern to benefit from positive behaviour support. | |
A provider is a person, business or organisation who is registered with the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) to provide funded supports to participants. Providers have different areas of experience and expertise. NDIS-registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. All providers (registered or unregistered) must adhere to the NDIS Code of Conduct. | |
The relationship authorisation manager (RAM) is a software owned by the Australian Government and used by the NDIS to record approved behaviour support plans. Find out more about the NDIS-based provider portal from the NDIS or on from the Australian Government. | |
| Short-term accommodation | |
| A restrictive practice is… ‘any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with a disability.’ See more information on the Department’s website; the National Framework for Reducing and Eliminating the Use of Restrictive Practices in the Disability Service Sector; and Section 9 of the NDIS Act 2013. There are several types of restrictive practices, including:
Any proposed use of restrictive practice must be submitted for authorisation by the APO. Find out more about the role of the APO and restrictive practices. |
Regulated restrictive practices must be used only in specific situations, including when there is a risk of harm to the person with disability or others. Risk to safety also applies to risks to the safety of the person with disability (opens PDF doc), staff supporting them and others involved. | |
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018 define seclusion as: ‘The sole confinement of a person with disability in a room or physical space at any hour of the day or night where voluntary exit is prevented, implied, or not facilitated, or it is implied that voluntary exit is not permitted.' | |
Short-term accommodation (sometimes called STA or respite) is a short period of time away from a person’s usual home. This may be used for several reasons subject to approval, including:
Find out more about short-term respite from the NDIS. | |
Under the Disability Act (2006), a supervised treatment order means a civil order made in respect of a person with an intellectual disability under section 193. ‘Supervised treatment is a form of compulsory treatment under Part 8 of the Disability Act. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing defines a Supervised Treatment Order (downloads Word doc) as: ‘A civil order made by VCAT under section 193 of the Disability Act that enables the detention of a person with an intellectual disability who poses a significant risk of serious harm to others. Detention involves physical locking the person in a premise or constantly supervising or escorting the person to prevent freedom of movement.’ Find out who to contact with questions at the Victorian Senior Practitioner's Office. | |
A Support Coordinator is a paid professional engaged by NDIS participants to help them understand and implement their NDIS plan, including navigating the rules and regulations, payments, referrals to providers and understanding eligible services under their funding so they can get the most out of their plan. Support Coordinators can work with APOs and Behaviour Support Practitioners to:
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A person’s support network includes the active network of people around them who know and care for them. Support networks include both paid and unpaid supports. People with disability will have different ideas of what their support network looks like, depending on how they see themselves in relation to the people around them. Sometimes a person will have a formally organised Circle of Support or a Micro-Board established to oversee, advise on or coordinate their services and service providers. Support networks are essential in successful behaviour support. Read more about support networks in behaviour support and working with support networks as an APO. | |
| The Disability Act 2006 | |
Any restrictive practices that are not yet authorised by an APO are 'unauthorised restrictive practices'. This includes both restrictive practices that are not in the person’s behaviour support plan and restrictive practices that have been proposed in a person’s behaviour support plan, but are not yet authorised. Using unauthorised restrictive practices is illegal. Find out more about unauthorised restrictive practices from the NDIS. Find out how to report the use of unauthorised restrictive practices. |
Acronyms
This table provides definitions for common acronyms Authorised Program Officers encounter in their role.
| Acronym | Stands for |
| APO | Authorised Program Officer |
| ARO | Authorised reporting officer |
| BOC | Behaviour(s) of concern |
| BSP | Behaviour support plan |
| BSP | Behaviour Support Practitioner |
| CTO | Community treatment order |
| DA | Disability Act 2006 |
| DDA | Disability Discrimination Act (Australian Government, 1992) |
| FBA | Functional behavioural assessment |
| FERBS | Functionally Equivalent Replacement Behaviours |
| GP | General practitioner – medical doctor |
| IBSP | Interim behaviour support plan |
| IP | Independent person |
| IPAT | Integrated Practice Advisory Team |
| NDIA | National Disability Insurance Agency |
| NDIS | National Disability Insurance Scheme |
| NDIS Commission | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission |
| PBS | Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme |
| PBS | Positive behaviour support |
| PCAS | Person-centred active support |
| QSC | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission |
| RAM | Relationship Authorisation Manager
|
| RIDS | Restrictive Intervention Data System (State-based portal) |
| RP / RRP | Restrictive practice(s) / Regulated restrictive practice(s) |
| STA | Short-term accommodation (now STR) |
| STR | Short-term respite (formerly STA) |
| STO | Supervised treatment order |
| TAC | Transport Accident Commission |
| TGA | Therapeutic Goods Administration |
| URP | Unauthorised restrictive practice(s) |
| VCAT | Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal |
| VSP | Victorian Senior Practitioner |
Avoiding acronyms
Acronyms are a popular ‘shorthand’ in many industries – and behaviour support is no different.
But, acronyms exclude people who don’t know their meaning and prevent them from understanding.
This includes people:
- outside the sector,
- new to the sector,
- not specifically trained in behaviour support,
- who read English as a second language, or
- who have other different reading or cognitive requirements.
Although you may not notice it, using acronyms increases cognitive load and makes people work harder to understand your meaning, even for those who are familiar with the terms.
Best practice in any communication is to avoid acronyms.
Breaking the habit
Try not to fall into the trap of using acronyms in some situations and not at others as it is a hard habit to break. Lead by example, even when those around you use acronyms.
Becoming aware of the acronyms you use is important when connecting with those who are not specialists in this area.
It is essential that you break this habit as an APO’s job relies on communicating effectively, especially with people who have disability. Irrespective of the person's health condition(s), they are likely to already be carrying additional cognitive load due to their disability.