ACU Principal Health, Safety and Wellbeing survey results
The 2023 ACU Principal Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Report presents a comprehensive analysis of the current state of school leaders' wellbeing across Australia, revealing critical insights into the pressures and challenges faced by principals. Key findings of the report underscore the high levels of stress and burnout experienced by principals, attributing these to an overwhelming workload, bureaucratic demands, and the complexities of managing school communities within an evolving educational landscape. The report highlights a concerning trend of increasing incidents of violence and bullying towards principals, exacerbating their stress levels and impacting their mental health.
Moreover, the report identifies a significant discrepancy between the support expected by these leaders and the resources available to them, emphasizing the need for more robust support systems and professional development opportunities to navigate the demands of their roles effectively. The mental health of school principals has emerged as a critical concern, with reports of anxiety, depression, and burnout rates notably higher than the general population.
In response, the APF calls for urgent action from educational authorities and government bodies to implement systemic changes, including policy reforms and increased funding aimed at improving the working conditions and wellbeing of principals. This includes enhancing school leadership structures, providing access to mental health support, and fostering a culture of appreciation and respect for the pivotal role principals play in the educational ecosystem.
The Executive Summary and Full Report can be accessed by following the hyperlinks. Analysis and commentary of the data is also presented in The Educator Australia, which can be accessed via: The Educator Principal HS&W Survey 2023
“…The findings of the 2023 survey once again underscore the urgent need for systemic interventions and changes to address the critical matters as identified in the survey.
Everyone deserves a safe workplace, especially those shaping future generations and it is simply intolerable that nearly 50% of principals are facing physical, verbal and cyberbully attacks. Additionally, the continued alarming data indicative of high levels of workload and stress amongst the principal class has led to high attrition rates and abandonment of the role. This is not a leadership crisis waiting to happen – it is indeed happening and there is urgent need to deal with it here and now.
Addressing the workload and stress levels of school principals effectively requires systemic changes that challenge existing educational structures and funding priorities. One reason why little has been done is due to the complexity of the role of principals, which involves not only educational leadership but also administrative tasks, staff management, and student welfare. These multifaceted responsibilities make it difficult to devise straightforward solutions,
Furthermore, there is also a lack of widespread recognition of the issue. While teachers' workload and stress have gained public empathy, understanding the critical role of principals in managing school culture, teacher satisfaction, and student success is less widespread. Moreover, traditional views of leadership can contribute to a culture where principals feel obliged to handle high levels of stress without seeking help. This can prevent open discussions about the realities of the job and the need for systemic support, further perpetuating the cycle of stress and burnout.
It is time to address the issues and proceed with holding to account governments (at both federal and state levels) and respective Education Departments, in regard to following up on the recommendations of the survey…”
(Commentary by Tina King APF VIC Branch President as published in
The Educator: Brett Henebery 25 March 2024)