About ConnectFirst™ & Meg Hughes
ConnectFirst™, The Behaviour Training Institute of Australia, was founded by Meg Hughes, a former teacher with more than 25 years' experience in schools, homes, early learning and clinical settings.
"Meaningful change begins with connection."
For more than 25 years, Meg has worked in schools, homes, early learning settings and clinical environments as a teacher, Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner and clinical supervisor.
ConnectFirst™ brings that experience to practitioners at every stage, with training and supervision that build confident, ethical, rights-based practice. Relational practice and child-centred play therapy are embedded in everything we teach.
- 2026Nominated: Training Provider of the YearTasmanian Disability Awards
- 2024Nominated: Behaviour Support Practitioner of the YearTasmanian Disability Awards
The ConnectFirst™ Positive Behaviour Support Podcast
Practical conversations on PBS, supervision and working with children and families.
Articles by Meg
- How to Become a Behaviour Support Practitioner in AustraliaConnectFirst™ article
- Thinking About Becoming a Behaviour Support Practitioner? Read This First.ConnectFirst™ article
- New Entry-Level Behaviour Support Practitioner Pathway: A Step-by-Step GuideConnectFirst™ article
- What Does a Behaviour Support Practitioner Do? A Guide to the Role in AustraliaConnectFirst™ article
- NDIS Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework: What Practitioners Need to KnowConnectFirst™ article
- Behaviour Support Practitioner Training in Australia: What Should You Look For?ConnectFirst™ article
Talk to us about training, supervision, your career or behaviour support for your child
Not sure which pathway applies to you? Fill out our application form and, if you have the suitable qualifications and experience, we'll be in touch to organise a qualifying call back. Parents and carers can request Positive Behaviour Support for their child here, or ask about our parent courses. Prefer to make a referral?
Trusted resources
Official guidance and reputable organisations we recommend. Links open the source website.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission ↗ndiscommission.gov.au
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) ↗ndis.gov.au
- NDIS Commission: Behaviour support and restrictive practices ↗The Commission's main page on behaviour support
- NDIS Commission: Suitability to become a behaviour support practitioner ↗What the Commission assesses
- NDIS Commission: Apply for provider registration ↗Register with the NDIS Commission
- NDIS Commission: Make a complaint ↗Report an issue with a provider
- NDIS (Code of Conduct) Rules 2018 ↗Federal Register of Legislation
- NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018 ↗Federal Register of Legislation
- NDIS (Quality Indicators for NDIS Practice Standards) Guidelines 2018 ↗Federal Register of Legislation
- National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 ↗Federal Register of Legislation
- ConnectFirst™ Learning Platform ↗Courses, events, articles and member log in at connectfirst.com.au
About ConnectFirst™
Who is Meg Hughes?
Meg Hughes is the founder and Director of ConnectFirst™. A former teacher with more than 25 years' experience, she is a Specialist Behaviour Support Practitioner, Clinical Supervisor and Child-Centred Play Therapist.
Is ConnectFirst™ a registered NDIS provider?
ConnectFirst™ contracts under Assist Disability, a registered NDIS behaviour support provider.
How do I contact ConnectFirst™?
Email support@connectfirst.com.au, call 1800 246 808, or use the enquiry form on this page.