The NSW Government will expand its Respectful Relationships Education program to 150 additional public schools in 2026, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to address domestic violence through early intervention.
The program, designed to promote gender equity and prevent violence before it occurs, has received $8 million in state funding and $17.6 million from the Federal Government under its Commonwealth Consent and Respectful Relationships Education measure. The expansion will begin in Term 1, 2026, following a successful pilot at 10 schools across NSW that concluded last year.
The initiative forms a key component of NSW’s first dedicated primary prevention strategy, Pathways to Prevention, which aims to stop violence at its source by addressing underlying attitudes and behaviours in educational settings.
“Preventing gender-based violence must start long before harm occurs, and the Minns Labor Government’s investment in Respectful Relationships Education is about giving young people the tools to develop healthy, respectful relationships in their lives,” acting minister for education and early learning Courtney Houssos said.
The program adopts a whole-school approach, providing teachers, school leaders and staff with professional learning opportunities, evidence-informed resources and system-based expertise to implement strategies that address the drivers of gender-based violence. All NSW public schools will gain access to new K–12 Teaching Respectful Relationships curriculum resources, along with tools to embed the program within their specific school contexts.
From pilot to statewide expansion
Minister for the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault Jodie Harrison emphasised the program’s focus on challenging harmful social norms.
“Through our Respectful Relationships Education, we are giving our children and young people the tools to challenge rigid gender norms that are the underlying drivers of gender-based violence so they can live free of violence,” Harrison said.
Schools that participated in the pilot program reported positive outcomes. Katherine Lye, deputy principal of Burwood Girls High School, described the school’s commitment to the initiative.
“Our vision is to drive effective Respectful Relationships Education to strengthen a culture of empathy, equality and positive communication within our school community,” Lye said. “We want to empower every student with the skills to build safe and inclusive relationships.”
The government has also allocated funding to expand the All-In Early Education program, operated by the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre, which runs in selected early education centres across NSW.
The broader prevention strategy includes establishing a Multisport Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, partnering with Local Government NSW, and providing grants to community organisations for prevention programs and awareness campaigns.