Bullying complaints in New South Wales schools are set to be handled through a single, statewide framework, after the Minns Labor Government unveiled a new Anti-Bullying Framework that will apply across government, Catholic and independent schools.
Under the policy, all 3,120 schools in the state have committed to adopting anti-bullying measures that meet the same core standards. It marks the first time Australia has taken a sector-wide approach to bullying, replacing a patchwork of school-by-school responses with shared expectations around prevention, response and accountability.
From now on, schools will only be registered if they can show they have clear policies explaining how bullying is prevented, how affected students are supported in a timely way and how incidents are recorded. Support is expected to begin quickly, typically within two school days, while urgent cases must be triaged and acted on immediately with student safety taking priority.
The framework will be rolled out from next year, with oversight from the NSW Education Standards Authority. NESA is due to begin spot checks from Term 1, 2027, to ensure schools are meeting the new requirements.
The move follows a directive issued in late 2024 by Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Car, who asked NESA to work with the NSW Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW and Independent Schools NSW to develop a shared, evidence-based model. The work was led by behavioural expert Professor Donna Cross OAM and informed by a broad consultation process.
According to the government, more than 370 individuals contributed to the development of the framework, alongside input from over 40 groups representing parents, students, teachers and school leaders. Advice was also sought from 20 international experts across 10 countries, bringing global research into the local context.
The framework aligns with recommendations from the Australian Government’s Rapid Review into bullying, with the aim of ensuring NSW schools meet both state and national expectations. All school policies will now be built around four mandatory criteria: prevention, response, implementation and community partnerships.
Support for schools is intended to go beyond compliance. The three education sectors have committed to sharing resources, professional learning and practical materials to help teachers and principals apply the framework in day-to-day school life. Guidance material and practice examples will be made publicly available through the NSW Government website from Monday.
Acting Minister for Education and Early Learning Courtney Houssos said the government’s intention was to create consistency for families and students, regardless of the school they attend.
“Our government is committed to addressing the scourge of bullying and will continue to work with all schools to stamp it out,” she said. “Deputy Premier Prue Car established a process so bullying is addressed for all students, no matter which school they attend.”
Houssos said the framework was designed to give schools flexibility within a shared structure, allowing them to choose strategies that suit their communities while staying grounded in research.
Professor Cross said evidence shows some approaches to reducing bullying are more effective than others, and that schools benefit when efforts are focused on what works.
“There is strong evidence, both locally, nationally and internationally, that shows some approaches to reducing bullying are more helpful than others,” she said. “Schools in NSW have been working hard to reduce bullying in their communities, and this framework is designed to support them with high-quality evidence.”
She added that the framework also encourages schools to stop investing time and resources in practices that research suggests have little impact.
While the announcement has been welcomed by many educators and parent groups, the real test will come during implementation. Schools already under pressure from staffing shortages and growing wellbeing demands will need time and support to embed the new processes effectively. The government argues that a shared framework, backed by training and clear expectations, will ultimately reduce duplication and confusion.
By setting common rules across all sectors, NSW is betting that consistency and transparency can help shift bullying responses from ad hoc reactions to a more reliable system of care. Whether that translates into better outcomes for students will become clearer as schools begin putting the framework into practice over the coming years.
Support independent community journalism. Support The Indian Sun.
Follow The Indian Sun on X | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
