School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) VIC - Empowering Change via Evidence-Based Support

(SWPBS) School-wide Positive Behaviour Support VIC – Empowering Change Through Evidence-Based Support

School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is the Victorian Department of Education’s evidence-based approach for creating safe, respectful and inclusive school cultures. The SWPBS Unit provides guidance and resources to schools across Victoria, you can contact them for information, advice and to apply to join the program.

What SWPBS is

SWPBS is a whole-school framework that helps schools teach, model and consistently reinforce positive behaviour so students can learn and thrive. Rather than relying mainly on punishment, SWPBS focuses on preventing problems through clear expectations, explicit teaching, positive reinforcement and supports for students who need extra help. When implemented well it improves social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes.

How it works

• The school agrees a small set of clear, positively-stated behaviour expectations and teaches them across classrooms, playgrounds and other settings.

• Staff use consistent routines, language and reinforcement so expectations become predictable for every student.

• Decisions are driven by data: schools collect simple behaviour and attendance data, then use that evidence to refine practices and target extra supports where they’re needed.

• Implementation is scaffolded by a set of essential features (the department asks whole-school commitment to these features), so, the approach is sustainable and coherent.

Why schools use SWPBS

Schools adopt SWPBS because it increases teaching time, reduces classroom disruption, strengthens student wellbeing and builds more positive staff–student relationships — all of which support better learning. It’s flexible (suitable for primary, secondary and specialist settings) and backed by research and statewide guidance.

Reach in Victoria

Since 2018, more than 700 Victorian government schools have taken part in SWPBS. As of mid-2024, over 400 schools were actively implementing the framework, with a further 350 schools scheduled to join by the end of 2024. Together, this means nearly 750 schools across the state are building positive and supportive learning environments through SWPBS.

📍 Operating Statewide Across Victoria
👥 750+ Schools Served in VIC