Extra funding to address Anti-Bullying Review Recommendations
The Albanese Labor government will invest $10 million to implement recommendations from the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review, with Education Ministers agreeing to a new national plan to address bullying in Australian schools.
Education
Term 2
Education Ministers agreed on 18 October 2025 to a new national plan to address bullying in Australian schools as recommended by the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. The federal government will support the plan with up to $10 million in immediate funding, split evenly between a national awareness campaign ($5 million) and new resources for teachers, students and parents ($5 million). The resources will include materials for students on how to be 'upstanders' against bullying, with evidence showing peer-based approaches can be effective. The Anti-Bullying Rapid Review examined current school procedures and best practice methods to address bullying behaviours, receiving over 1,700 submissions from parents, students, teachers and staff.
One of the key recommendations is the need for timely and clear action when a complaint or incident occurs. The Review recommended that schools should respond within two school days to a complaint or incident, an approach designed to nip bullying in the bud and prevent escalation. This initial response does not mean matters will be resolved within two days, but schools should begin taking action immediately to build trust with students and families. The report highlights the need for a whole-of-school approach to preventing and addressing bullying, strong and visible school leadership to drive culture change, enhanced transparency on anti-bullying actions, evidence-based approaches, and support for the school workforce. The plan builds on the success of a national mobile phone ban which has improved learning outcomes in schools, and complements the government's social media ban for under-16s coming into effect on 10 December 2025.
Summary:
Education Ministers agreed to implement Anti-Bullying Rapid Review recommendations with $10 million federal funding
$5 million for national awareness campaign and $5 million for resources including 'upstander' materials for students
Schools should respond within two school days to bullying complaints or incidents, with over 1,700 submissions informing recommendations
[2] https://www.education.gov.au/antibullying-rapid-review
[3] https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions
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