Want to be a principal? These stats will make you think twice

Queensland principals are facing higher levels of sexual harassment, cyber bullying and slander than ever before. But the perpetrators will surprise you.

Queensland principals are being targeted more than ever. Picture: Getty Images

Queensland principals are at breaking point, with more than half threatening to quit as violence, threats and bullying continue to plague the schoolyard, a new report shows.

Alarmingly, Queensland principles are for the first time being treated worse than their counterparts across the country, according to research, with more than 800 hundred enduring slander and gossip and almost half of them being bullied online.

Queensland’s 1700-plus principals are also facing the hightest rate of sexual harassment across the country (5.6 per cent), according to a survey by The Australian Catholic University where 2182 Australian principals took part.

Shockingly, parents made up the largest portion of perpetrators.

The ACU Australian Principal Occupational, Health, Safety and Wellbeing survey showed parents made up 43.7 per cent of sexual harassment reported by principals, 87.6 per cent of cyberbullying and 65.2 per cent of gossip and slander.

Co-lead investigator Professor Theresa Dicke said the survey painted a grim picture with regard to school leaders, particularly in Queensland.

“Queensland has shown this trend of an increase of such offensive behaviours, and that’s in the last couple of years, so they used to be midfield,” Prof Dicke said.

“Queensland should look into that by talking to their school leaders and trying to find out what these incidents are and what is happening.”

Teachers will be thinking twice about progressing higher up the chain.

Meanwhile, reports of threats of violence were 54.5 per cent in 2024 up from 53.9 per cent in 2023 nationally.

Physical violence was 49.6 per cent in 2024 up from 48.2 per cent in 2023 while gossip and slander was 57.4 per cent in 2024 up from 53.7 per cent.

Prof Dicke said in Queensland principals had also reported the highest ‘agree’ for intention to quit in comparison to other states at 57.6 per cent.

“That could be related to this increase in offensive behaviours,” Prof Dicke said.

A number of Queensland principals who spoke anonymously in the report said they felt pressures increasing year-on-year.

“The work pressures and consistency of being “on” at all times in the role is becoming more and more challenging,” one primary school principal said.

Another principal said nothing had been taken “off the table” to ease the pressures.

“Working as a leader in a small school means that I don’t have anyone to share the pressure with or even debrief with,” she said.

Australian Secondary Principals’ Association President Andy Mison said the survey highlighted the resilience of our school leaders who were doing the job despite being “harmed” by it.

“We’re very worried that we’re going to lose principles,” Mr Mison said.

Mr Mison said the current structure of schools needed to change.

“We need resourcing for research and practical supports for principal wellbeing, but also to work with us on, you know, what will help us do our jobs better.”

Originally published as Want to be a principal? These stats will make you think twice