Reforming the use of restrictive practices
The Positive Behaviour Support and Restrictive Practices Review
Our department has reviewed Queensland’s positive behaviour support and restrictive practices authorisation framework.
A restrictive practice is any practice or intervention that has the effect of restricting the rights or freedom of movement of a person with disability. Restrictive practices are used to respond to the behaviour of a person with disability that causes harm to the person or others. This can include physical, environmental, chemical or mechanical restraints, or seclusion.
The Positive Behaviour Support and Restrictive Practices Review (PBSRP Review) considered whether improvements could be made to better align Queensland’s framework with the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework and the ‘principles for nationally consistent authorisation processes’ developed by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
The PBSRP Review included activities such as an independent review of Queensland’s restrictive practices authorisation framework by Griffith University’s Policy Innovation Hub, a statutory review under the Disability Services Act 2006 (DS Act), and stakeholder consultation in 2021, 2022 and 2024. We thank all participants for their valuable contributions.
The PBSRP Review recommended changes be made to the DS Act to replace Queensland’s existing guardianship-based framework for authorising restrictive practices with a new administrative framework based on clinical-decision making by a senior practitioner.
In June 2024, the Disability Services (Restrictive Practices) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (the Bill) was introduced into Queensland Parliament and considered by the former Community Support and Services Committee. The Bill lapsed on 1 October 2024 with the dissolution of the 57th Queensland Parliament.
Further information on the Bill and the Community Support and Services Committee’s consideration of the Bill is available from:
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