The Restrictive Practices Unit (RPU) offers training and professional development opportunities for the wider sector in a range of different formats. This includes conferences and seminars, as well as online and in-person training developed by the RPU for NDIS disability service providers and behaviour support practitioners.
Previous training (2025)
The RPU held online and in-person training sessions from April to July 2025. See below for video recordings and links to presentation content.
RPS Refresher - using the online portal
In addition to our online Restrictive Practices System (RPS) user guides and short ‘how to’ videos, this session assists provider users in navigating the RPS to obtain authorisation for restrictive practice requests. This session is beneficial for those new to the process or looking to refresh their existing knowledge and skills.
Session 1 recording April 2025 (YouTube)
Session 2 recording May 2025 (YouTube)
For online user guides and how-to videos see restrictive practices resources.
Themes and trends
An overview of the themes and trends observed by the RPU in relation to restrictive practice requests submitted for an authorisation decision along with behaviour support plans. This session supports NDIS providers, behaviour support practitioners, and Authorised Program Officers (APOs) to identify the key elements that support a timely, accurate and well-informed authorisation decision.
Themes and Trends Influencing RPU Decision-Making June 2025 (YouTube)
APO quality decision-making
This session is essential for Authorised Program Officers (APOs) making authorisation decisions under Section 23N of the Disability Inclusion Act (2018). Content delves deeper into the legal and practice thresholds for authorising restrictive practices. It supports APOs to ensure their authorisation decisions comply with legal and policy requirements.
This is designed for active and authorised APOs only.
Video recording not available.
Professional development
Since its commencement in May 2022, the RPU has hosted and co-facilitated a number of conferences and seminars for the disability, aged care, and mental health sectors. These were designed to engage health and medical professionals, policy and regulatory staff, and people with lived experience and their carers, families, and friends.
Striking the Balance Forum: Effective Prescribing and Deprescribing
Striking the Balance was an in-person and online event held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday 12 March 2025. With over 600 registrations nationally, and 150 in-person attendees, the sector clearly demonstrated their commitment to improving health outcomes for people with complex needs.
Links to video recordings and presentation slides are on Forum 2025 Striking the Balance (DHS).
Deprescribing Psychotropics webinar
The Deprescribing Psychotropics webinar was hosted by Dr Mark Horowitz MBBS PhD on Thursday 14 November 2024. Dr Horowitz is the lead author of the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines, endorsed by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Livestreamed to a national audience of almost 400 people, Dr Horowitz explained the hyperbolic tapering approach to deprescribing psychotropic medications, focused on slow reduction to manage withdrawal symptoms and ensure patient safety.
Deprescribing Psychotropics with Mark Horowitz webinar recording November 2024 (YouTube)
Deprescribing Psychotropics transcript (198.7 KB PDF)
Deprescribing Psychotropics presentation slides (15.1 MB PPTX)
Deprescribing Psychotropics one page summary (110.9 KB PDF)
Medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms: safe prescribing and withdrawal management for adults guidelines - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) website.
RELEASE: REdressing Long-tErm Antidepressant uSE in general practice - University of Queensland Medical School website.
Register for RELEASE resources - University of Queensland website.
Human Rights at our Doorstep Conference
The Human Rights at our Doorstep Conference was held on Wednesday 6 March 2024 at the Hilton Adelaide. Opened by the Senior Authorising Officer (SAO) Trinh Mai, the Conference featured a diverse array of keynote speakers sharing key reflections and learnings from the development and implementation of restrictive practice authorisation schemes across jurisdictions. All speakers demonstrated a clear commitment to the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices with a clear focus on safeguarding and protecting human rights.
Links to video recordings and presentation slides are on Human Rights at our Doorstep conference materials (DHS).
Allied Health Professions Day 2025
In 2025, AHPs Day was celebrated on Tuesday 14 October. The Restrictive Practices Unit (RPU) hosted an in-person event at the Botanic Gardens. This was the first AHPs Day event hosted by the RPU, with a specific focus on the role of Allied Health professionals in supporting people with disability and complex needs — and the critical interface between allied health expertise and the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices.
Links to video recordings and presentation slides are on Allied Health Professions Day 2025 (DHS).
Contact the Restrictive Practices Unit
Phone
1800 862 004 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
If you find it hard to hear or talk on a phone the National Relay Service (NRS) can help you.
