A new report released this week shows that educators are facing unprecedented levels of anxiety and burnout, with staff shortages, mental health challenges, and an increasing regulatory burden identified as the major challenges facing the sector over the next 12 months. The report, conducted by Ideagen CompliSpace in partnership with School Governance, surveyed educators from non-government schools across the country to gauge their perspectives on the current state of the sector. Over the coming months, School Governance will be analysing some of the key topics.

Key Findings

Human resources concerns are among the top risks facing schools in 2023. With a shortage of qualified teachers and staff, schools are struggling to fill positions and retain talent. 98 percent of respondents stated that they have been significantly impacted by staff workload concerns and 92 percent reported experiencing increased stress and burnout, while 89 percent faced difficulties in attracting and maintaining high-quality teaching staff.

Additionally, 91 percent of respondents have been somewhat or greatly impacted by difficulties in managing compliance obligations with 43 percent preparing to make significant changes to their governance, risk, and compliance requirements in the next 12 months, indicating a need for enhanced policies and systems.

Cyber security is also front of mind, showing that only 54 percent of respondents agree that their school has well-developed policies, systems, and processes to manage such threats. This suggests that up to 45 percent of schools may lack sufficient measures to address cyber risks effectively, highlighting the need for greater investment in cybersecurity.

Other pressing issues facing Australian schools is the looming mental health crisis, 98 percent of respondents have been somewhat or greatly impacted by the increase in student mental health issues. From anxiety to depression, there are a range of mental health issues that are impacting young people across the country, placing further pressure on schools to prioritise mental health support for students such as additional counselling resources and providing more training for teachers on how to recognise and address mental health concerns.

The Education Risk Report is an essential resource for anyone working in Australia's education sector. It offers a comprehensive overview of the key risks facing schools in 2023 and provides actionable insights into how to mitigate these risks. Download it here.