Behaviour Support Specialist

Behaviour Support Specialists are community-based professionals who develop and implement behaviour support plans for individuals with a disability or children with significant behavioural issues. They work for NGOs, charities, and government agencies and are also known as PBS practitioners.

As a Behaviour Support Specialist you could be observing and evaluating a client’s behaviour, developing a treatment strategy that seeks to reduce challenging behaviour and improve the client’s quality of life, meeting with a client’s carer and family members to discuss how they can provide holistic support, reviewing data on the client’s progress, or providing guidance to teachers and allied health professionals during treatment.

To succeed in this occupation you’ll need a well-developed sense of empathy, excellent interpersonal skills, and the willingness to travel to client houses, schools, and residential facilities.

Future demand High
Average yearly income $99,996
Skill level Advanced

How do I become a behaviour support specialist?

All skill levels Beginner Experienced
CHC52021

Diploma of Community Services

Blended, On Campus, Online
8 - 18 months
$49 - $9,900
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Housing Officer Family Support Worker Support Worker
Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Intake Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Case Manager Community Care Worker Social Worker Park Manager Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Intelligence Officer Case Worker Regional Coordinator Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Financial Counsellor Conservation Manager Student Experience Officer Council Member Migrant Support Worker Art Therapist Community Outreach Coordinator International Development Worker Behaviour Support Specialist Crime Prevention Officer Social Justice Advocate Community Arts Worker Policy Researcher Community Worker Human Rights Activist Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Arts Programmer Human Rights Advocate Editorial Writer Creative Writer Climate Scientist Resource Economist Agricultural Economist Neurologist Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Nutrition Advisor Nutrition Scientist Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Hospital Social Worker Disability Advocate Social Welfare Officer Education Support Officer Community Engagement Coordinator Humanitarian Aid Worker Cultural Advisor Indigenous Support Worker Clinical Supervisor Community Health Liaison Addiction Counsellor Global Health Advisor Community Advocate Wellbeing Coordinator Social Work Supervisor Child Psychologist Family Therapist Community Rehabilitation Worker Disability Employment Consultant Youth Advocate Program Evaluator Aged Care Coordinator Doula Community Recovery Officer Gerontologist Health Advisor
+ 80 more
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
Housing Officer Family Support Worker Support Worker Community Corrections Officer Community Development Worker Senior Support Worker Welfare Worker Youth Justice Officer Outreach Worker Intake Worker Aboriginal Community Care Worker Case Manager Community Care Worker Social Worker Park Manager Rehabilitation Counsellor Life Coach Remedial Yoga Therapist Intelligence Officer Case Worker Regional Coordinator Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner Financial Counsellor Conservation Manager Student Experience Officer Council Member Migrant Support Worker Art Therapist Community Outreach Coordinator International Development Worker Behaviour Support Specialist Crime Prevention Officer Social Justice Advocate Community Arts Worker Policy Researcher Community Worker Human Rights Activist Youth Support Officer Community Services Officer Arts Programmer Human Rights Advocate Editorial Writer Creative Writer Climate Scientist Resource Economist Agricultural Economist Neurologist Community Educator Mental Health Advocate Nutrition Advisor Nutrition Scientist Healthcare Social Worker Palliative Care Social Worker Law Enforcement Officer Youth Officer Probation Officer Mental Health Case Manager Hospital Social Worker Disability Advocate Social Welfare Officer Education Support Officer Community Engagement Coordinator Humanitarian Aid Worker Cultural Advisor Indigenous Support Worker Clinical Supervisor Community Health Liaison Addiction Counsellor Global Health Advisor Community Advocate Wellbeing Coordinator Social Work Supervisor Child Psychologist Family Therapist Community Rehabilitation Worker Disability Employment Consultant Youth Advocate Program Evaluator Aged Care Coordinator Doula Community Recovery Officer Gerontologist Health Advisor + 80 more

Graduate Certificate in Inclusive Education

Online
12 months
$0 - $2,216
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
  • There are no mandated entry requirements.
Additional requirements may apply.
*Showing course fees for all providers. Some providers may not be available in your area.

Related occupations

Common questions

Further reading

What can you do with a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)?

22nd September 2020)

What do social workers do?

11th December 2019)

How to start a career in Disability Care

12th April 2021)