Beyond our mission to create new knowledge, the work of the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science aims to transfer academic and clinical excellence into practice in the health, community services and criminal justice sectors.

One of the ways we achieve this is by providing professional development and training to government and industry to develop an appropriately skilled workforce in these sectors. 

We provide a range of options for improving your practice, including an annual training calendar through the Forensic Mental Health Professional Development Program, bespoke training and a seminar series. 

Forensic Mental Health Professional Development Program

The Forensic Mental Health Professional Development Program (FMH PDP) is an annual schedule of training across a range of topics of relevance to the organisations we work with.

The calendar is updated each year to reflect current knowledge, advances in practice and to provide individuals and organisations with access to flexible learning, including online, hybrid and in-person options.

We deliver this training in collaboration with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare).

Bespoke training

We have expertise in working with government and industry to develop and deliver customised training solutions tailored to specific needs and requirements of the agency or organisation’s workforce.

Harnessing the expertise of our staff and associates and underpinned by a knowledge of how people learn best, the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science is recognised as a preferred option for forensic workforce education.


Examples of our training topics have included:

  • core competencies in forensic mental health
  • assessment and management of risk for sexual and non-sexual violence, intimate partner violence, arson, stalking and general offending
  • dealing with difficult or distressed self-represented litigants within various Australian court and tribunal settings
  • dealing with difficult people or situations within organisations
  • responding to and managing stalking in the workplace, including on campus at universities
  • dealing with people with severe personality disorders and offending behaviour.


We can also help to develop best practice models of care and treatment.

If you would like to discuss the professional development and training needs of your agency or organisation, please contact Dr Margaret Nixon for an initial discussion by emailing mnixon@swinburne.edu.au or calling +61 3 9214 6233.

Seminar series

As part of our ongoing commitment to educating the workforce, we provide access to a series of talks and seminars each year that are free to attend. Our seminars are delivered in-person and online.

Explore more of our centre

Contact the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science

There are many ways to engage with us. Whether you’re a student, from the media or an organisation interested in our professional development and training programs or consulting services, contact us on +61 3 9214 3887 or via cfbs@swinburne.edu.au

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