Objective: The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of the concept of perceived barriers in health promotion for risk factor reduction, and to describe a 'Perceived barriers and lifestyle risk factor modification model' which could potentially be incorporated into existing frameworks for diabetes education to enhance lifestyle risk factor education in women with type 2 diabetes. Setting: Diabetes education, community health. Primary argument: 'Perceived barriers' is a health promotion concept that has been found to be a significant predictor of health promotion behaviour. There is evidence that women face a range of perceived barriers that prevent them from engaging in healthy lifestyle activities. Despite this evidence, current Australian and international evidence based frameworks for diabetes education do not explicitly incorporate the concept of perceived barriers to action. Building on existing frameworks for diabetes education and elements of Pender's Health Promotion Model (1982, 2006, 2010), a model of risk factor reduction which incorporates 'perceived barriers' is described. Conclusion: Although further research is required, it is argued that current approaches to risk factor reduction in type 2 diabetes could be enhanced by assessment and goal setting to reduce an individual's perceived barriers to lifestyle behaviour change. A 'Lifestyle risk factor modification and perceived barriers model' could potentially provide an innovative approach to support this.