The new programs include the establishment of rapid support squads to strategically target bullying hotspots, with the squads having the capacity to “fly in” to regional and remote schools and provide on the ground expertise in response to a bullying incident. 

Services include family support, mental health assistance and professional development for staff.  

The plan follows the Federal Government’s announcement in February of an Anti-Bullying Rapid Review in Australian schools aimed at tackling bullying with a new national standard on best practice response for teachers.

Co-chaired by Dr Charlotte Keating, a mental health advocate and clinical psychologist, and Dr Jo Robinson, who leads the suicide prevention research unit at Orygen, considered to be the world's leading centre of youth suicide research, the review is consulting broadly with key stakeholders across Australia, including those in schools, parent groups, state education departments and the non-government sector.

The review is also looking at current school procedures and practices to address bullying and will report to education ministers with options for the development of a shared set of standards.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said his state’s new approach was needed to counteract bullying’s devastating impacts.   

“We’re putting the spotlight on bullying so our schools can be a safe place for every student,” he said.  

“We’ve lost too many young lives to bullying, which is why we’re delivering a plan to put the spotlight on this serious issue.  

“This is about turning the tables on bullying and bolstering support for kids, parents and schools.”  

Each of the state’s eight education regions will have a designated rapid support squad, made up of three senior guidance officers and support staff.  

The further four anti-bullying initiatives include:  

  • New Anti-Bullying Stakeholder Reference Group to provide critical advice, guide future initiatives and co-design the upcoming Anti-Bullying campaign. 
  • Funding additional chaplains and student wellbeing staff to place permanent on-the-ground support in hundreds of additional schools. 
  • Opening a dedicated crisis support hotline to offer free, confidential, and immediate support to concerned parents and carers. 
  • Developing new and updated professional development resources to upskill teachers, teacher aides and support staff with targeted resources.   

The new expert advisory group will be chaired by Griffith University’s Professor Donna Pendergast AM and consists of experts in the field, including child psychiatrists and academics.  

Pendergast said meetings would soon be underway.   

“I’m proud to lead the Crisafulli Government’s Stakeholder Reference Group to take real action against bullying in schools,” she said.   

“We will bring experts together, but we will also be going out to the community to ensure we’re considering lived experiences and remaining agile in our response to tackling bullying.   

“We need everyone – schools, educators, parents, carers, and community members – to play their part in stamping out bullying in all forms.”  

The State Government believes the strategy will “reverse a decade of failings under the former Labor Government which allowed behavioural issues to spike and classroom assaults to skyrocket”.  

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said bullying was a scourge on society and the Government would be persistent in its efforts to address it.   

“The Crisafulli Government has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and these additional measures will help to ensure we lead the nation in our efforts to tackle it,” he said.   

“We’re committed to driving down the number of students impacted by bullying and responding to serious incidents with the swift action such a serious issue deserves.

He said the bullying initiatives announcement is “just the starting point in our fight to prevent and reduce bullying”.   

“Our expert stakeholder group will be tasked with the responsibility of reviewing initiatives, while providing advice and guidance on further support measures that we can introduce,” Langbroek said.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said in February that bullying is not just something that happens in schools, but schools are places where authorities can intervene and provide support for students.

“All students and staff should be safe at school, and free from bullying and violence,” he said.

“That’s why we’re taking action to develop a national standard to address bullying in schools.”

Recommendations from the national Anti-Bullying Rapid Review are expected to be reported to education ministers in the second half of 2025.