IEU backs the bullying review – now for action
The IEU says addressing bullying in schools requires a society-wide effort, and schools and education staff must not carry the burden alone.
General Secretary David Brear says the final report of the Australian Government Department of Education’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review is an opportunity to make sure staff safety is taken seriously by education employers.
“Bullying between students and rising aggression toward staff must be recognised as a community-wide problem, not one schools can solve alone,” David said. “Teachers, school leaders, and Education Support staff are dealing daily with behaviours that endanger their own wellbeing and disrupt learning. These challenges demand coordinated action and shared accountability across all levels of society.
“Too often, weak compliance by employers has undermined anti-bullying and behaviour management efforts. The IEU maintains that real progress depends on employers, education authorities, and the broader community actively supporting consistent, enforceable policies that protect both staff and students and create safe, respectful learning environments.”
During the Review’s 6-month consultation period, IEU officers and members from around Australia consulted directly with the Review and lodged detailed submissions emphasising the importance of consultation with the education sector and the school workforce through every step of the eight recommendations.
IEU Federal Secretary Brad Hayes welcomed the Review’s final recommendations, which include a suite of resources, targeted public awareness campaigns, and support for schools to take meaningful action. However, he said the success of a national framework will depend on “genuine and ongoing consultation with the teachers and school leaders who will bear the burden of implementation.”
“Appropriate training must be provided during release time for all education staff.
School communities don’t operate in a vacuum. Responsibility for preventing and addressing bullying behaviours will need to be shared jointly and tackled jointly, with the community, employers, education authorities and schools all playing their part.”
He said it was vital that the national evidence base was built through ongoing monitoring of the impacts of implementation.
“Only through genuine collaboration and unwavering support for those working directly with students can we ensure that schools are safe and welcoming learning environments for everyone.”
Earlier this year, the IEU Victoria Tasmania had called for the federal anti-bullying review to strengthen protections for school staff as well as for students. In its submission, the IEU stressed that “bullying, violence, sexual harassment and emotional abuse are serious health and safety issues for school staff as well as students. Employers, policy makers and school communities must set the tone that such behaviour is not acceptable in any context.”
Evidence from this year’s extensive survey of Victorian Catholic school staff highlighted the issue’s urgency. Twenty-two percent of respondents reported serious psychological injury in the past year, and more than half said their health had been affected by aggressive student behaviour. Many cited a lack of meaningful consequences and limited support, with parental aggression emerging as another significant concern. Respondents called for clear behavioural expectations, enforceable protections, and mandated codes of conduct for students and parents.
As one member put it: “We need a rigid set of rules around support for employees experiencing workplace stress… a signed code of conduct for all students and parents must be a rock-solid process.”
The union also reiterated the need for stronger employer accountability and cultural change at all levels of school governance.
If you’re experiencing distress, contact:
Lifeline – 13 11 14 | lifeline.org.au
beyondblue – 1300 224 636 | beyondblue.org.au
Support for young people:
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 | kidshelpline.com.au
headspace – 1800 650 890 | headspace.org.au