Anti-Bullying Support Toolkit

Every Victorian school must have a plan in place to prevent and respond to bullying. This can be part of their Student Engagement Policy or a standalone Bullying Prevention Policy. 

Key points: 

• Your child’s school should work with the whole school community, including students, families and staff, to create these policies and review them every 2-3 years. This helps make sure it reflects what’s really happening in the school and continues to keep students safe. 

• All school staff have a duty of care to protect students from harm. That means taking reasonable steps to stop bullying before it causes physical or emotional harm. 

• A strong bullying policy should be part of every day school life, not just a document on a website. It should be discussed with the school community often and guide how everyone supports kindness, respect and safety. 

Find out more about VIC's Government approach

Every public school and preschool in NSW must have an Anti-Bullying Plan that follows the Department of Education’s Behaviour Code for Students. 

This code reminds students to be inclusive, respectful, and kind to everyone, meaning classmates, teachers and the wider school community. It makes clear that bullying, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination have no place in our schools. 

Key points; 

• Your child’s school is required to create and follow an Anti- Bullying Plan. Preventing and responding to bullying is the shared responsibility of all school staff, volunteers, contracted staff, students, parents and carers. 

• Teachers also have a duty of care to take reports of bullying seriously, and when needed, to pass concerns on to the school principal or leadership team so action can be taken quickly.

Find out more about NSW's Government approach

Every Queensland state school must have a Student Code of Condut that includes clear strategies to prevent and respond to bullying and cyberbullying. 

The Department of Education is committed to making schools safe, supportive and respectful places to learn, where bullying and violence are never accepted. 

Each school works with its community, which includes parents, carers, students and staff, to create its own Student Code of Conduct. This document explains how the school promotes positive behaviour and what steps are taken to address bullying or cyberbullying if it happens. 

All Queensland schools are also given the resources and support they need to respond quickly and appropriately when bullying occurs. 
 
Find out more about QLD's Government approach

In Tasmania, all government schools must take bullying seriously. The Department for Education, Children and Young People has a clear message: bullying and cyberbullying is never okay. 

Your child’s school follows the Student Behaviour Management Policy, which outlines how they prevent, report and respond to bullying. 

Key points: 

• Preventing bullying is something the whole school community works together on. That includes teachers, staff, students, parents and carers. Everyone plays a part in helping keep children safe and supported. 
   

• If bullying affects your child’s learning or wellbeing, whether it happens at school, online or outside of school hours, their school still has a responsibility to step in and help. All reports are taken seriously, handled with care and properly investigated. 

Find out more about TAS' Government Approach

In South Australia, every government school is focused on keeping children safe, supported and free from bullying, both at school and outside the school gates. 

The State Government’s Bullying Prevention Strategy helps schools build stronger ways to prevent, recognise and respond to bullying, including cyberbullying. 

Key points: 

• Within the policy, schools are urged to access resources and training to help them recognise when bullying is happening, understand how to respond and make sure the school environment feels safe for every child 

• All government schools must have a Local Bullying Prevention policy, as a parent or carer, you can ask your child’s school about this policy and what supports are in place to help students. 

 
Find out more about SA's Government approach 

In the Northern Territory, schools are committed to creating a safe, supportive learning environment where every student feels respected and included. 

Any behaviour that affects the safety of students or teachers, or that disrupts learning, is not acceptable. 

Their Let’s Keep School Safe for Everyone campaign promotes positive behaviour and helps reduce violence in Northern Territory Government Schools. 

Find out more about the NT’s Government approach 

In Western Australia, all state schools are expected to provide a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, free from bullying, harassment and violence.  

Key Points: 

• Every school in Western Australia has an anti-bullying plan and clear steps to respond to all forms of bullying, including cyberbullying. 

• Schools use a range of strategies to help prevent and address bullying, which might include helping children build communication and coping skills, improving or increasing school supervision, or offering support from a school psychologist. 

• If your child is being bullied, speak with their teacher or school principal to find out more about their anti-bullying plan. 

Find out about WA's Government Approach