The Australian Secondary Principals’ Association (ASPA) is sounding the alarm on the escalating crisis in school leadership following the release of the Australian Catholic University (ACU) Principals’ Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey.
The findings highlight an unsustainable toll on the mental health and wellbeing of principals across Australia, with alarming increases in violence, workload pressures, and a significant number of principals intending to leave the profession.
The release of ACU’s report came just days after ASPA hosted the 2025 National Education Summit in Canberra, where school leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders gathered to address the challenges facing Australia’s education system.
ASPA’S summit emphasised the urgent need for systemic reforms, many of which align with the key recommendations outlined in the ACU survey.
The ACU survey reveals that:
-
53 per cent of principals signalled their intention to quit, jumping to 82.3 per cent for those with low job satisfaction.
-
49.6 per cent experienced physical violence, while 54.5 per cent faced threats of violence, with students responsible for 80.4 per cent of these threats.
-
87.6 per cent reported cyberbullying by parents or caregivers, showing a worrying trend in community behaviour.
-
45 per cent of principals triggered a “red flag” alert for risks of self-harm, occupational health issues, or serious impacts on quality of life.
ASPA President Mr Andy Mison said these findings reflect the growing strain on school leaders, compounded by heavy workloads, increasing administrative burdens, and worsening mental health challenges.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare, who addressed the ASPA Summit in March, acknowledged the critical role of principals in navigating these challenges.
Mr Mison said he praised their dedication despite adversity and emphasised the government’s commitment to improving conditions.
“Minister Clare said, ‘If we get the investment right, we can build a better and fairer country where every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education’.“
Minister Clare also highlighted the importance of funding reforms tied to wellbeing programs, mental health support, and innovative school models, such as full-service schools piloted in Western Australia. He reaffirmed the need for collaboration between governments, stakeholders, and educators to ensure sustainable change.
Mr Mison reiterated the urgency of addressing the systemic issues raised in both the ACU survey and ASPA’s 2025 Policy Briefing.
“The ACU survey confirms what ASPA has been advocating for years: principals are at breaking point. Every threat, every act of violence, every instance of burnout jeopardises the stability of our schools and the futures of our students. This cannot continue,” Mr Mison said.
“We cannot let these findings be just another report that gathers dust. The wellbeing of our principals is the foundation of a strong education system. The time to act is now.”
Mr Mison said the ASPA Summit showcased numerous innovative ideas and policy recommendations designed to address the challenges facing school leaders.
“The National Principal Reference Group, praised by Minister Clare, has been a critical step forward in fostering collaboration and ensuring the voices of school leaders are heard in shaping national policy,” he said.
ASPA is urging all political parties and stakeholders to prioritise principal wellbeing and education reform in the upcoming federal election to ensure a sustainable future for Australian schools.
More reading: Principals report worsening levels of anxiety and depression
