Communities and Justice

Men's Behaviour Change Programs

Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (MBCPs) are predominantly group-based programs and services that focus on working with men to enable them to recognise their violent behaviour and develop strategies to stop them from using violence.

MBCPs must be registered with the Department of Communities and Justice to receive funding or referrals from the NSW Government.

Men’s behaviour change network

Under the NSW Government’s Domestic and Family Violence Blueprint, the NSW Government is committed to expanding non-government community-based men’s behaviour change interventions and developing the capacity of the community-based men’s behaviour change sector.

In order to achieve this the NSW government has funded the establishment of the Men’s Behaviour Change Network, an advisory body for effective ways of working with men to reduce domestic and family violence.

The Men’s Behaviour Change Network shares information and ideas on men’s behaviour change, develops better practice, and creates consistency within the sector. It also takes a lead role in developing and facilitating training for new and existing men’s behaviour change workers, and support groups to meet minimum practice standards set by the NSW Government.

Current members of the network include BaptistCare Services LifeCare, CatholicCare Sydney, Hastings Women and Children’s Refuge, Kempsey Family Support Service, Men and Family Centre, and Relationships Australia.

Men's Behaviour Change Programs Evaluation Summary report (PDF, 771.1 KB) (PDF , 771.1 KB).

Registered providers of Men's Behaviour Change Programs

For information on MBCPs operating in your area contact the Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

For further information about referral pathways into Men’s Behaviour Change Programs, see support for men who use violence

Providers registered as compliant with the Practice Standards for Men's Behaviour Change Programs as at 18 October 2022.

Provider Location(s) Program name
Anglicare - Parramatta
- Nowra
- Ulladulla
REBUILD
Baptist Care Family and Counselling Services

- Bankstown,
- Campbelltown
- Penrith
- Tuggerah

- Via online delivery

Facing Up MBCP 
CatholicCare - Fairfield Choosing Change
​Catholic Care Diocese Broken Bay - Tuggerah
- Waitara
Back on Track
CatholicCare Wilcannia Forbes - Forbes ​SEEDS
Centacare New England North West - Tamworth
- Gunnedah
​Disrupting Family Violence
​EveryMan Australia - Queanbeyan Working with the Man
Housing Plus - Orange
- Lithgow
​Commit and Change
Illawarra Koori Men's Support Group ​- Albion Park ​BADV/CHANGEV
Kempsey Families Inc. - Kempsey
- Nambucca Valley
- Coffs Harbour
Engage2Change
Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services  ​- Port Macquarie Engage2Change
Manning Support Services - Taree
- Forster
- Gloucester
Taking Responsibility
Men and Family - Lismore
- Tweed Heads
​MEND
Mission Australia Central and Far West NSW - Broken Hill
- Dubbo
- Orange
- Walgett
- Central and Far West
​Manin' Up
North East MBCP ​- Albury  MBCP
Relationships Australia NSW - Fairfield 
- Hunter
- Sydney CBD
- Via online delivery
Building Stronger Families and Taking Responsibility
Relationships Australia Canberra and Regions - Wagga Wagga ​Taking Responsibility for Respectful Relationships
Settlement Services International - Fairfield
​Building Stronger Families
​Warrina DFV Specialist Services - Coffs Harbour Safer Futures

Please note this table is updated regularly. 

Application for Registration

To register as compliant with the Practice Standards, you must complete an Application for Registration and submit to the Department at dvstandards@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Download the relevant forms:

Minimum Data Set

The Practice Standards for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs require MBCPs to collect data to support initial and ongoing compliance and to contribute to the evidence base for what makes a safe and effective MBCP.

This data is used by the NSW Government to oversee compliance with the Practice Standards and support improvements in practice and system delivery.

Contact us

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice is responsible for managing the implementation of the Practice Standards and the registration process.

To subscribe to updates or ask specific questions about the registration process please email us at: dvstandards@dcj.nsw.gov.au 

Practice Standards for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs

The Practice Standards for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (PDF, 261.4 KB) articulate the NSW Government’s expectations of MBCP providers. The Standards' objective is to provide guidance to ensure programs reflect good practice and are safe and effective in changing the behaviour of men that use violence. The Practice Standards replace the Minimum Standards for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs.

The Standards apply to all group programs for male perpetrators of domestic and family violence in NSW. This includes programs run by government agencies in a community or custodial setting. It also includes programs run by non-government organisations.

Compliance Framework for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs

The Compliance Framework for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs (PDF, 636.8 KB) provides guidance to program providers on how they will be assessed and may be registered as compliant with the Practice Standards.

Compliance Framework for Men's Behaviour Change Programs – Online Delivery Supplement

The Online Delivery Supplement (PDF, 314.9 KB) details further information and evidence required for registration of a program for online delivery. The purpose of the Online Delivery Supplement is to help providers think about the unique risks of online MBCP delivery and how this may impact the safety of victims and children, participants and facilitators, in a different way to a face to face program.

Registration for online delivery is only available to providers already registered for face to face service delivery, or those currently applying.

Last updated:

27 Sep 2023