Australian Psychological Society
Psychologist Demand Rises Amid School Bullying Spike
11 July 2025 – Peak body for psychology the Australian Psychological Society (APS) is urging for more psychologists in schools as bullying continues to rise across the nation.
National data and research indicate that reports of bullying continue to rise, with some cohorts being especially vulnerable, such as First Nations students, and students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged or have disabilities(1,2,3), suggesting that current approaches are not reaching all students effectively or equitably(4,5).
Recent research also estimates that more than 8% of Australia’s annual mental health expenditure is attributable to bullying victimisation during childhood and adolescence, highlighting the substantial and ongoing societal cost of inaction(6).
APS President Dr Sara Quinn welcomed the recent opportunity to contribute to the Australian Government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review, but urged action must be taken now to address the issue.
“Bullying has serious and lasting impacts on young people’s mental health, learning and wellbeing, affecting not only those directly involved but also peers, families and broader school communities”, said Dr Quinn.
“All children and young people, regardless of where they go to school, need to be supported in environments that are safe, inclusive and equipped to help prevent and respond to harm.
“Yet, despite the breadth of programs, resources and funding currently in place, students, families and educators often find existing anti-bullying supports overwhelming, inconsistent and difficult to navigate.
“This suggests an urgent need for a more coordinated and embedded approach to antibullying prevention and response within school communities”.
Dr Quinn said getting more psychologists in schools is a critical element to addressing bullying effectively.
“Psychologists in schools provide precisely the kind of support and professional expertise needed to translate investment into meaningful outcomes.
“Psychologists bring expertise into the heart of school communities, helping to integrate, co-ordinate, tailor and deliver evidence-based anti-bullying strategies that are developmentally appropriate, context-sensitive and accessible for all involved,” Dr Quinn added.
The APS response to the Australian Government’s Anti-Bullying Rapid Review draws upon evidence-informed input, including from our members who work in education environments. To ensure anti-bullying efforts are co-ordinated, accessible and effective, the APS urges the adoption of the Productivity Commission’s 2020 recommendation of one school psychologist for every 500 students and recommends that this benchmark be embedded as a core component of the proposed national antibullying standard.
Investment in school psychologists is not only a sound education and health strategy—it is a vital antibullying measure. Expanding the school psychology workforce is a practical, scalable and high-impact way to strengthen the coherence and impact of existing investments and efforts to reduce bullying and its long-term effects, enhance whole-school culture and ensure that wherever a child goes to school, they are supported to feel safe, included and able to thrive.
To support the development and implementation of a national standard, jurisdictions must also commit to fully resourcing an expanded school psychology workforce to ensure that the national approach is not only well designed but effectively implemented in every school community.
APS recommendations
APS President Dr Sara Quinn commended the Government for accepting the contributions, knowledge and advice from those who work with students and families who experience bullying and its impacts.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Government on the development of a consistent national standard for responding to bullying and its underlying causes in schools,” said Dr Quinn.
To read our submission to the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review please visit here.
https://psychology.org.au/about-us/news-and-media/media-releases/2025/more-psychologists-needed-in-schools-as-bullying-c