Wednesday 4 November 2026
Seven years of student wellbeing data show bullying remains a persistent problem
The Tasmanian Association of State School Organisations (TASSO) has welcomed improvements in the 2026 Student Wellbeing and Engagement Survey but says the longer-term data shows more needs to be done to address bullying in Tasmanian schools.
While the Minister for Education has highlighted improvements since 2022, statewide survey results dating back to 2019 show reported verbal and social bullying remain slightly higher than when the survey began.
TASSO President Damien Rhind said the positive results were encouraging, but they needed to be considered alongside the longer-term trends.
“We welcome improvements in students’ wellbeing and sense of safety at school. These are positive outcomes for students and the schools supporting them,” Mr Rhind said.
“But when we look at the data since the survey began in 2019, the picture is less encouraging when it comes to bullying.
“Seven years on, reported verbal and social bullying remain higher than they were in 2019. We need to ask whether we’re doing enough to address what is clearly a persistent problem.”
In 2026, almost 5,000 students reported high levels of verbal bullying, nearly 3,900 reported high levels of social bullying, and more than 3,300 reported a low sense of safety at school.
Mr Rhind said the findings reinforced the importance of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Discrimination and Bullying in Tasmanian Schools, which delivered 33 recommendations in August.
“Recommendations 8 and 13 call for increased specialist staffing and greater investment in mental health and wellbeing support in schools are issues TASSO has raised with successive governments, and the Inquiry has reinforced the need for action.
“Students experiencing bullying, and those engaging in bullying behaviours, need access to appropriate support. Schools need the specialist staff and resources to respond effectively.”
TASSO is calling on the Government to adopt all 33 recommendations, with appropriate resourcing, clear implementation timeframes and measurable outcomes.
“Celebrating improvements is important, but so is recognising where progress has been limited.
“We have years of evidence showing us that bullying remains a problem. We now have recommendations for change. What we need is a commitment from the Government to act on them.”
ENDS
Media contact:
TASSO President
Damien Rhind
General inquiries: info@tasso.org.au | (03) 6243 7718