Restrictive practices are one of the biggest compliance hot spots in 2025. The NDIS Commission has made it clear: providers must actively reduce and, where possible, eliminate practices that limit a participant’s rights or freedom. Whether you’re a support worker, allied health professional, or service manager, understanding your obligations is essential to staying compliant and safeguarding the people you support.
This guide breaks down what restrictive practices are, what’s changing in 2025, and how you can meet your obligations with confidence.
What Counts as a Restrictive Practice?
Restrictive practices are actions or interventions that limit a person’s rights, freedom, or movement. Under the NDIS, they include:
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Seclusion – confining a person to a room or space.
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Chemical restraint – using medication to control behaviour.
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Mechanical restraint – using devices to restrict movement.
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Physical restraint – using physical force to limit movement.
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Environmental restraint – limiting access to areas, activities, or items (e.g., locking doors).
These practices can only be used in very specific, authorised circumstances and only when no less restrictive alternative is available.
Why the Crackdown in 2025?
The NDIS Commission’s 2025–26 regulatory priorities include eliminating unnecessary restrictive practices. Key drivers are:
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Protecting human rights – participants must be treated with dignity and respect.
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Reducing harm – restrictive practices can cause trauma or worsen behaviours.
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Ensuring accountability – providers must document, report, and justify any use of restrictive practices.
Providers who fail to comply face serious penalties, including loss of registration.
When Are Restrictive Practices Permitted?
Restrictive practices may only be used if:
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They are authorised under state or territory law.
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They form part of a behaviour support plan developed by a registered behaviour support practitioner.
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All use is recorded and reported to the NDIS Commission.
They should never be used as punishment, for staff convenience, or without proper documentation.
Reporting Obligations in 2025
The Commission requires providers to:
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Report every use of a regulated restrictive practice.
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Record details in participant notes and registers.
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Review practices regularly to reduce or eliminate use over time.
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Provide evidence at audit that restrictive practices are authorised, documented, and monitored.
Failure to meet reporting obligations can trigger compliance action.
Alternatives to Restrictive Practices
Providers are expected to adopt positive behaviour support strategies to minimise restrictive practices. Examples include:
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Strength-based approaches.
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Environmental adjustments.
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Skill building and communication supports.
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Collaboration with families, clinicians, and behaviour specialists.
Embedding these practices demonstrates compliance and commitment to participant rights.
How Launchly Can Help
Staying on top of compliance doesn’t mean writing policies from scratch. Launchly offers:
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✅ Behaviour Support & Restrictive Practices Policy (aligned with 2025 NDIS standards).
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✅ Complaints, Incident, and Risk Management Policies to show how you safeguard participants.
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✅ Registers and companion documents to record and report practice use.
These editable Word templates are audit-ready and tailored for NDIS providers.
Final Thoughts
Restrictive practices are one of the hottest compliance issues in 2025. Providers who take proactive steps, documenting policies, training staff, and recording every use, will not only pass audits but also deliver safer, more respectful services.
👉 Be audit-ready today. Download Launchly’s Behaviour Support & Restrictive Practices Policy and related templates to protect your business and participants.