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Australia Sets 48-Hour Standard for School Bullying Response in National Plan

New funding supports teacher training, cyberbullying tools, early intervention.

Overview

  • Education ministers from all states and territories approved the plan on Friday, locking in a requirement for schools to begin action within two school days of a complaint.
  • The federal government committed $10 million, split between a national awareness campaign and a central hub of resources for teachers, students and parents.
  • The final review recommends trauma‑informed training, guidance for early intervention, record‑keeping of every incident and targeted materials to address deepfakes and other online harms.
  • The Australian Education Union welcomed the direction but warned that effective rollout will require funded professional development, additional staffing and workload relief.
  • The plan aligns with the under‑16 social media ban due December 10, and draws on evidence that 53% of young Australians report experiencing cyberbullying and one in four students in years 4–9 are bullied frequently.