Scott Morrison has suggested sports stars accused of domestic violence or sexual assault should be banned from competing.
The prime minister raised the prospect of such a strict prohibition when touting a "zero tolerance" approach to athletes accused of serious offences.
"The zero tolerance approach is what should be expected and that's what should be done," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.
"Honestly I think that's what the fans of the codes, being one of them, would want to see as well."
"Sport can be a real positive to help change the culture, but they've got to change their culture to actually carry that message."
Minister for Women Kelly O'Dwyer stressed how many young people looked up to sports stars as role models.
"They have a responsibility on their shoulders as a result of that, in terms of their behaviour, the behaviour that they exhibit on the field and off the field," she said.
Sports administrators - particularly those from the NRL - have been grappling with a string of cases involving high profile athletes during the off-season.
Announcing a major funding boost to reduce instances of domestic violence, Mr Morrison said the leaders of major sporting codes could help drive cultural change.
"That has to go all the way through the grades," he said.
"It has to go all the way down to the grass roots level of these sports because that's the culture that needs to change."
