Bullying at school in Australia: signs, parent rights and how to make a complaint

Bullying at school is regulated by law

In Australia, all government schools and most non-government schools are legally required to have an anti-bullying policy. This is not merely advisory. If a school fails to address a reported bullying incident adequately, parents have grounds to escalate to the state education authority.

What counts as bullying — and what does not

Bullying is repeated, intentional behaviour intended to cause harm:

Hitting, pushing, taking belongings (physical)
Name-calling, insults, discrimination (verbal)
Excluding from groups, spreading rumours (social/relational)
Hurtful texts, images or posts (cyberbullying)

Not bullying:

A single conflict between peers
Friends disagreeing once

This distinction matters because it affects how schools are expected to respond.

Signs your child may be being bullied

Children often do not volunteer that they are being bullied. Watch for:

Reluctance to go to school (stomach aches or headaches on school mornings)
Coming home withdrawn, upset or unwilling to talk
Missing belongings or money with no explanation
No longer wanting to see friends outside school
Sudden changes in phone behaviour (hiding the screen, anxious about notifications)

The complaint process

Step 1: Meet the class teacher

Make an appointment — do not arrive mid-class. Bring notes on specific incidents: dates, locations, and descriptions of what happened.

Step 2: Escalate to the deputy or principal

If the teacher has not resolved the issue within 1–2 weeks, request a formal meeting with senior leadership.

Step 3: Request a written action plan

Ask the school: “Can you outline the specific steps you will take and the timeline?” Schools are expected to provide this.

Step 4: Escalate to the state education department

If the school does not act adequately:

NSW: NSW Department of Education — Appeals and Complaints
VIC: Department of Education — Complaints and Concerns
QLD: Queensland Department of Education — Complaints Management

Step 5: Cyberbullying — eSafety Commissioner

If there is a cyberbullying element, report it to the eSafety Commissioner at esafety.gov.au — they have the authority to require content removal and to investigate.

Key parent rights

You have the right to meet the principal during school hours.
You have the right to a copy of the school’s anti-bullying policy.
You have the right to keep your child home temporarily with notification if you believe they are unsafe.
If the incident involves a physical assault, you have the right to contact police directly — you do not need to wait for the school’s process.