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School-wide Positive Behaviour Support

Creating positive school environments to boost student success and engagement.

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What is SWPBS

School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is a globally recognised, evidence-based framework that helps schools create safe, positive, and inclusive environments where students and staff can thrive.

SWPBS supports the Education State priorities and the Victorian Teaching and Learning Model 2.0 by helping schools build consistent, whole-school systems that promote positive behaviour, wellbeing, and inclusion—creating the right conditions for effective teaching, learning, and leadership across the school.

Introduction to School-wide Positive Behaviour Support
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This document provides school leaders with an overview of SWPBS and practical guidance for its implementation.

This document outlines the 7 essential features a school commits to implementing as part of the SWPBS framework.

Features and benefits of SWPBS

SWPBS helps schools to:

  • increase respectful and positive behaviour
  • strengthen social and emotional wellbeing
  • reduce classroom disruptions and increase learning time
  • build positive, respectful relationships between students and staff
  • create safe, orderly, and supportive school environments.

Schools implementing SWPBS:

  • use inclusive, evidence-based strategies to support all students
  • form teams to guide implementation and maintain momentum
  • provide ongoing training and coaching to staff
  • partner with students, families, and communities to ensure fairness and consistency
  • use data to monitor progress and improve practices.

How SWPBS supports all students

SWPBS is built around four key elements

  • Outcomes: Clear goals related to behaviour, wellbeing, academic success, and school climate
  • Data: Evidence collected to monitor progress, identify needs, and guide decisions
  • Practices: Teaching strategies and interventions to encourage positive behaviour
  • Systems: Structures and processes that support consistent implementation, such as leadership teams and professional development

These elements are delivered through a multi-tiered system of support

  • Tier 1: Universal Support – for all students, staff, and settings
  • Tier 2: Targeted Support – for students at risk of behavioural challenges
  • Tier 3: Intensive Support – for students with complex and individualised needs
Image of the three tiers. Tier 1 - Universal is green and representing all students, tier 2 - targeted is orange representing some students and tier 3 - intensive is green representing few students.

SWPBS in Victoria

Since 2018, more than 700 Victorian government schools have participated in SWPBS.

Building on a $37.5 million investment since 2018, the Victorian Government has committed an additional $10.4 million over four years in the 2025–26 Budget.

Schools joining the SWPBS initiative receive the following supports:

  • comprehensive professional learning for school leaders and teams
  • individualised support from a specialist SWPBS coach
  • annual assessment of implementation
  • access to the Online Resources Hub
  • eligibility to apply for annual SWPBS Awards.

Evaluation and outcomes

An external evaluation (November 2023) found a positive relationship between effective SWPBS implementation and improved school outcomes:

  • Greater student connectedness, inclusion, and respect for diversity
  • Improved classroom behaviour and reduced bullying
  • More students reporting they feel supported by an adult at school
  • Increased staff collaboration and confidence
  • Fewer suspension days

Read the full evaluation of the Victorian SWPBS initiative (PPT, 3.5MB)

Case studies of SWPBS in action

Three case study videos provide insight into the practical benefits of School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) across different settings.

Each case aligns with the five FISO 2.0 core elements:

  • teaching and learning
  • engagement
  • support and resources
  • leadership
  • assessment.

St Albans Heights Primary School

St. Albans Heights Primary School shares how implementing SWPBS transformed their school by teaching expected behaviours, building strong values, and creating a safer, more inclusive environment. Staff and students highlight the positive impact on safety, relationships, and learning.

SWPBS - St Albans Heights Primary School
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Cranbourne Secondary College

Shows the role of clear expectations, encouragement, and strategic data use in improving behaviour and respect.

Cranbourne Secondary College shows how SWPBS has transformed their school through clear behaviour expectations, encouragement of positive interactions, and strategic use of data. This approach has created a safer, more respectful environment, improving behaviour and student success.

SWPBS - Cranbourne Secondary College
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Yarra Ranges Special Development School

Yarra Ranges Special Development School uses SWPBS to help students with disabilities thrive. With clear expectations — be safe, responsible, and respectful — tiered supports, and tools like the MeTV program, the school fosters positive behaviour across all settings.

SWPBS - Yarra Ranges SDS
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SWPBS acknowledgement awards

Participating schools are encouraged to apply for the annual acknowledgment awards, which highlight outstanding examples of SWPBS in primary, secondary and specialist schools. Awards are open to any school active in the initiative that meets the criteria.

To apply, schools submit detailed evidence of their implementation. Criteria are updated annually in Term 1 and listed below, along with the previous year’s award-winning schools.

Apply to join

Applications for the 2026 intake open in Term 3, 2025, and close on Friday 5 September 2025.

School leadership are invited to attend an online information session in early Term 3. The session provides an overview of the initiative and how to submit an application. Schools interested in attending can register for one of the three sessions below.

Schools joining SWPBS will commence implementation in Term 1, 2026. For further information or support please see contact details below.

Find out more

For further information about SWPBS, visit the Department’s Policy and Advisory Library behaviour page or contact the SWPBS central team:

Education

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