Aggressive Behaviour Management Training

By the end of this tailored ‘Defusing Aggression Techniques’ workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify and understand physiological responses to aggression, including the effects of adrenaline and cortisol surges.
• Recognise how aggression impacts decision-making processes.
• Control their emotions and maintain composure in high-stress situations.
• Implement proven techniques to defuse aggression effectively.
• Understand the nuances of different types of aggression and appropriate responses.
• Utilise the A.D.E.F. (Attention, Defuse, Evaluate, Forego) framework as a practical tool for de-escalating aggression.
• Recognise safe exits and strategies to remove themselves from dangerous situations.
• Use empathetic language to promote calm and reduce hostility.
• Apply non-threatening body language to de-escalate aggressive encounters.
• Avoid common pitfalls through “The 5 Foregoing Temptations” when facing aggression.
• Prioritise personal safety and debrief after intense interactions.
• Develop action plans for dealing with aggression in the workplace.

Why Aggressive Behaviour Management Training Matters in Australian Workplaces

Aggressive behaviour in the workplace is no longer treated as “part of the job”. Under the model Code of Practice: Managing psychosocial hazards at work, published by Safe Work Australia in 2022 and now adopted across Australian jurisdictions, violence and aggression is recognised as a psychosocial hazard. That means employers must identify it, assess the risk and put controls in place, just as they would for any physical hazard. Safe Work Australia’s 2024 data report on work-related violence and aggression also points to an upward trend in incidents.

Aggressive behaviour management training is one of those controls. It gives your people a shared, practical approach for the moment aggression appears, so they respond with a plan rather than a gut reaction. It works best alongside safe work design, clear reporting and good support after an incident. Our psychosocial hazards training and our guide to managing psychosocial hazards in Australian workplaces cover the wider risk-management picture.

Organisations that invest in this training typically see:

• Fewer incidents escalating from verbal aggression to threats or violence
• Staff who feel confident, supported and less anxious about difficult interactions
• Faster, healthier recovery after incidents through structured debriefing
• Clear evidence of training as part of your psychosocial risk controls