On 16 February 2025, Minister for Education Jason Clare announced an Anti-Bullying Rapid Review to develop a consistent national approach to tackling bullying in schools. Led by co-chairs Dr. Charlotte Keating (Clinical Psychologist with a PhD in Neuroscience) and Dr. Jo Robinson (who leads Orygen's world-renowned suicide prevention research unit), the review will consult with stakeholders across Australia, including schools, parent groups, education departments, and the non-government sector. With about one in four Australian students reporting being regularly bullied, the review aims to build on existing state and territory initiatives to create a unified national standard.

Research shows bullying can cause serious short and long-term harm to children, including anxiety, depression, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. Current research emphasises that effective anti-bullying approaches must involve the entire school community rather than just focusing on individual incidents.

• Review will consult stakeholders across education sectors nationwide

• Co-chairs bring expertise in youth mental health and bullying prevention

• Aims to provide parents confidence that bullying will be handled consistently

• Recommendations expected in the second half of 2025

[1] https://www.directory.gov.au/portfolios/education/department-education/anti-bullying-rapid-review-australian-schools#:~:text=The%20Anti%2DBullying%20Rapid%20Review,then%20provided%20to%20Education%20Ministers.

[2] https://www.education.gov.au/newsroom/articles/experts-appointed-lead-antibullying-rapid-review

[3] https://theconversation.com/theres-a-new-rapid-review-into-school-bullying-research-shows-we-need-to-involve-the-whole-school-to-stop-it-250519