Advice & Strategy
Supporting universities to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
The National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2025 sets a higher, enforceable standard. Compliance is a funding condition — we help you meet it.
Scope a readiness assessmentCulture Plus method
Behaviour-first. Evidence-based. Built to last.
Whole-of-organisation approach
A coordinated, trauma-informed approach to prevention and response.
Gender-based violence (GBV) in higher education requires more than policy. The National Code introduces seven mandatory standards requiring higher education providers to adopt a whole-of-organisation, trauma-informed and person-centred approach.
Compliance is enforced as a legislative instrument and tied to funding eligibility. For senior leaders, the question is whether current governance structures and response systems meet these heightened regulatory expectations.
"How do we ensure our governance oversight is active, not just passive?"
"Are our reporting systems trusted by students and staff?"
"Do we have the trauma-informed capability to respond effectively?"
The National Code
The seven enforceable standards.
The standards apply across all university environments — learning and working settings, online platforms and student accommodation. Compliance is a funding condition under the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
Governing bodies and senior leaders actively oversee prevention and response, with clear governance structures, resourcing, and oversight of risk and performance.
Endorsed capability partner
Trusted by Australia's peak HR body.
Culture Plus Consulting is proud to design and deliver flagship DEI programmes for the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) — Australia's peak HR professional body — supporting HR leaders and practitioners to build capability for inclusive leadership and organisational change.
Connect with us to explore how evidence-based DEI training can help your organisation build capability, strengthen culture, and deliver meaningful, measurable change.
Common gaps in readiness
Where most institutions fall short.
Institutions beginning readiness assessments now face a tight timeline to identify gaps, build frameworks, reform systems and develop workforce capability before 2026.
Fragmented prevention efforts lacking coordination and a unified framework aligned with best practice.
Underutilised, mistrusted reporting systems that discourage disclosure — without multiple safe and accessible channels.
Passive governance with limited active oversight, lacking meaningful data and evidence-based reporting to councils.
Inadequate oversight of residential colleges and affiliated accommodation providers.
Uneven trauma-informed response capability among frontline staff and inadequate specialist training.
Poor integration across overlapping regulatory frameworks, causing inefficiencies and gaps.
How we support universities
Specialist expertise across prevention, response, and governance.
We help institutions build the frameworks and systems needed to meet the National Code, the Universities Accord and related obligations.
Institutional Impact
Real shifts that matter.
Meet the National Higher Education Code 2025 standards and ensure funding eligibility under HESA 2003. Avoid compliance notices, infringement notices, and civil penalties.
Our methodology
The Practical Capability Model
Every Culture Plus programme is built on the same evidence-based methodology. Hover any step for detail:
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the National Code, answered.
If you have a question we haven't covered, write to us — a real human responds within one working day.
A binding legislative instrument setting seven enforceable standards for preventing and responding to gender-based violence across all university environments.
Your consultant
CEO, Author and Principal Consultant
Felicity Menzies
Every Culture Plus engagement is delivered with behavioural rigour and practical relevance by Felicity Menzies — organisational psychologist, author, and specialist consultant.
- Role
- Founder, Culture Plus Consulting
- Qualification
- Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) — University Medallist; Fellow, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand; Bachelor of Commerce; Advanced Accreditation, Cultural Intelligence; Oxford Saïd AI Governance, Compliance & Ethics; Certified AI Ethicist
- Experience
- 15+ years advising leading global and Australian private and government organisations; former senior executive in financial services and consulting
- Discipline
- Organisational psychology, behavioural science & trauma-informed practice
- Published
- A World of Difference (2016); contributor to leading business and HR publications globally
- Recognition
- LinkedIn Top Voice; commendation in NSW Parliament
Trusted partners
Institutional respect clients.
I thank Felicity Menzies for the initial training sessions and commend her on the job that she has done.
While you're here
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Equip your workforce to safely interrupt disrespect, harassment and exclusion in the moment.
Active Bystander Training →
Prepare for 2026
Build safer campus communities.
Universities that build genuine, well-governed prevention and response systems will be better prepared for regulatory scrutiny — and create safer, more respectful communities for students and staff.
Discuss your institutional readiness