Australian schools will now be mandated to respond to bullying complaints within 48 hours. This new requirement aims to address troubling behavior swiftly and effectively. The decision follows a meeting of state and territory education ministers on the Gold Coast, where they endorsed a national anti-bullying plan.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare announced that teachers will receive additional training and resources to help them manage bullying incidents more effectively. The federal government is allocating $5 million to support educators, parents, and students in this initiative. "While parents have told us they want action earlier, teachers have told us that they need the tools and the training so that they can do the job," Clare stated in an interview.

In addition to the funding for training, another $5 million will be directed toward a national awareness campaign. The goal of early intervention is to prevent repeated harm and to create a safer school environment.

The anti-bullying review highlights that while punitive measures like suspensions or expulsions can be appropriate in certain cases, the most effective strategies involve repairing relationships and addressing the root causes of bullying behavior. Statistics show that one in four students in grades four through nine report experiencing bullying every few weeks or more. Furthermore, students who are bullied are at a higher risk for mental health issues compared to their peers.

Cyberbullying remains a significant concern, with reports to the eSafety Commissioner increasing by over 450 percent from 2019 to 2024. The Australian government is also implementing a social media ban for users under 16, set to take effect on December 10, as part of efforts to combat online bullying.

The rise of artificial intelligence has introduced new challenges, with some chatbots reportedly bullying children and even encouraging self-harm. The government is taking these issues seriously and is committed to creating a safer environment for students.

The national plan, which has received support from education ministers across Australia, will be reviewed at the next Education Ministers’ meeting in February. Clare emphasized the importance of fostering a culture where students are encouraged to be "upstanders" rather than bystanders in bullying situations. Education unions have expressed concerns about the additional pressures this plan may place on teachers, highlighting the need for adequate support as the initiative is rolled out.