The Australian Government is working together with states and territories on a national standard to address bullying in Australian schools.
This includes a new Anti-Bullying Rapid Review to examine current school procedures and best practice methods to address bullying behaviours.
Dr Charlotte Keating and Associate Professor Jo Robinson have been appointed as co-chairs of the Review.
The Review will inform the development of a national standard to addressing bullying in schools.
Minister for Education Jason Clare said all students and staff should be safe at school, and free from bullying and violence.
“Bullying is not just something that happens in schools, but schools are places where we can intervene and provide support for students.
“That’s why we’re taking action to develop a national standard to address bullying in schools. That’s why we will listen to the experts and develop a national strategy that is grounded in evidence and informed by lived experiences.
“Last year we worked together to ban mobile phones in schools. This is another opportunity for us to support students, teachers and parents across the country,” Mr Clare said.
Dr Keating and Dr Robinson will consult broadly with key stakeholders across Australia, including parents, teachers, students, parent groups, state education departments and the non-government sector.
It will draw on work already underway across the country to address bullying in schools.
The announcement builds on the success of the national mobile phone ban in all public schools, vaping reforms and introducing a minimum age of 16 years for Australian children to access social media.
The Review will be conducted over the next six months with recommendations then provided to Education Ministers.
More reading: Cyberbullying reports surge over 450 per cent in five years
