School communities have the opportunity to have their say ahead of a national anti-bullying strategy in Australia.
On the 16th February 2025, the Australian Government’s Department for Education announced the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review which will be a comprehensive review of the current status of bullying in schools – looking at what measures are working and areas for improvement. The review will be used to develop a ‘consistent national standard for responding to bullying and its underlying causes in schools’ and will inform education policy. 1
As part of the review, education ministers are now asking for feedback from the public, encouraging educators, parents, unions, government agencies, policy makers and young people themselves to share their views on and experiences of bullying in schools. The deadline for these written submissions is Friday 20th June 2025.
Why are they having the review and what will happen next?
Bullying is a serious and complex issue that has detrimental effects on student mental health, as well as their willingness to come to school and engage in their learning. To help prevent and respond to bullying in schools, many stakeholders have an important role to play. Research is crucial to create a national standard that has a clear picture of the issue at present and that can ensure that the right resources and support are in place to make a positive impact.
The review will be led by experts, Dr Charlotte Keating, a clinical psychologist with a PHD in neuroscience who has worked with bullying/bullied adolescents, and Dr Jo Robinson AM, who has led on research programmes around suicide prevention and is part of an expert advisory group implementing a suicide prevention strategy in Victoria.
The Anti-Bullying Rapid Review will provide:
- research and evidence on best practice in preventing and responding to bullying (including underlying causes and bullying behaviours)
- an overview of bullying interventions across Australia’s schools and how effective they are – giving possible models for the consistent national standard the government wants to develop
- advice on what this national standard needs to include and consider – including specific support such as responding to bullying of students with disabilities
- guidance on how the national standard can be measured and considered ‘successful’. 1
Learn more about the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review and, if you are based in Australia, perhaps consider sharing your feedback to help inform the new national anti-bullying standard.
