Bright Education’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Collection is designed to help students understand and manage their emotions, stress, and mental health.

A New National Plan to Tackle Bullying in Australian Schools — and How Teachers Can Support Student Wellbeing

Education Ministers across Australia have agreed to a new national plan to address bullying in schools, following key recommendations from the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review. The Federal Government will invest up to $10 million to support this plan, with an emphasis on early intervention, awareness, and equipping school communities with effective tools to prevent bullying.

Key Areas of Investment

Two major initiatives will be funded:

  • $5 million for a national awareness campaign, aimed at increasing understanding and visibility of anti-bullying efforts.

  • $5 million for new classroom and community resources to help teachers, students, and parents address bullying proactively. This includes materials to empower students to become upstanders—those who actively speak up and support peers experiencing bullying.

Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare, emphasised that bullying can have long-lasting emotional effects:

“Bullying is cruel and it’s dangerous. It doesn’t just leave physical scars, it leaves invisible scars that can last a lifetime.”

He added that schools need to act promptly on reports of bullying:

“The Review recommends that schools respond within two school days to a complaint or incident. If we’re going to properly tackle bullying, we need to nip it in the bud and act early.”

Building a Whole-School Approach

The Anti-Bullying Rapid Review also calls for a whole-of-school approach to create lasting cultural change. The report highlights the importance of:

  • Strong and visible school leadership to drive inclusion and accountability

  • Empowering students, staff, and parents with consistent strategies

  • Transparent communication and evidence-based practices

  • Ongoing training and support for teachers

Teacher Support at the Centre

The Australian Education Union (AEU) welcomed the government’s investment but stressed that meaningful progress relies on ensuring teachers have the time, resources, and professional support to implement these initiatives effectively.

“Providing materials and resources is important,” said AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe, “but without investing in the people who deliver them… the risk is that those resources will not be able to be used effectively in schools.”

Teachers are managing increasingly complex student wellbeing challenges — from mental health and behaviour to social media influences — making comprehensive, practical support essential.

Recognising Diversity and Respect

The Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN) also urged schools to differentiate between bullying and racial discrimination, calling for clearer anti-racism policies that acknowledge the specific harm caused by racism in schools.

Meanwhile, broader policy changes — including the social media ban for under-16s coming into effect on 10 December, and mobile phone bans already in place in most public schools — are part of the government’s broader effort to reduce online bullying and improve learning focus.

Supporting Student Wellbeing in Every Classroom

As schools work towards safer, more inclusive environments, visual learning tools can play a powerful role in reinforcing positive behaviour and wellbeing messages.

🌈 Support Student Wellbeing with Our Mental Health & Wellbeing Posters

Bright Education’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Collection is designed to help students understand and manage their emotions, stress, and mental health. These posters combine evidence-based information with engaging visuals on topics like anxiety, depression, resilience, and emotional regulation — perfect for creating a supportive classroom culture.

💬 Promote Positive Personal Development with Our PDHPE & Wellbeing Posters

Our PDHPE Posters empower students to build empathy, challenge prejudice, and develop healthy habits. Covering areas such as bullying prevention, motivation, and positive relationships, they’re ideal for supporting whole-school wellbeing initiatives aligned with the new national plan.

Why Schools Love Our Posters

✨ Curriculum-aligned and concise for Australian classrooms
🎨 Bright, student-friendly graphics that inspire conversation
💡 Promote empathy, resilience, and healthy social behaviours
🏫 Durable A1 laminated format — perfect for classrooms and corridors

Equip your school with powerful visual tools to promote kindness, safety, and mental wellbeing — because wellbeing is the foundation for success.

👉 Browse PDHPE & Wellbeing Posters

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