Dozens more Victorian Catholic and independent schools have signed up to teach their students about sexual consent.
Education Minister James Merlino has announced a further 78 Catholic and independent schools across Victoria will implement the state government's Respectful Relationships initiative after reaching out to express interest.
There are now 384 non-government schools involved in the program and 1951 total schools across the state.
The curriculum, which is mandatory in all Victorian government schools, focuses on relationships, sexuality and safety.
From term two this year, it also became compulsory for age-appropriate consent classes to be taught in state government schools as part of the initiative.
Australia has been engaged in a national conversation about consent after former Sydney school student Chanel Contos launched a petition earlier this year calling for earlier and improved education on sex and consent.
The petition has since garnered 43,630 signatures and more than 6500 testimonies of current and former schoolgirls about their personal sexual assault experiences.
State and federal governments have made changes to curriculums and created new resources, including a "milkshake" video which was removed in April following widespread criticism.
A Senate estimates hearing in June was told a respectful relationships reference panel involving more than 20 organisations is now developing new resources for the federal government.
Mr Merlino was thrilled more Catholic and independent schools had opted to join his government's program, expanding its reach to thousands more students.
"Respectful Relationships doesn't just provide vital consent education - it teaches young people how to build healthy relationships and confidence," he said in a statement on Friday.
"We know that attitudes on gender equality are formed young - and this key recommendation from the Royal Commission into Family Violence will ensure all Victorian kids develop good attitudes towards inclusion and diversity."
Australian Associated Press
