Independent MP Allega Spender has introduced a bill to remove federal exemptions that allow religious schools to discriminate against students, teachers and contract workers based on sexual orientation, gender identity and related grounds. The bill would also extend protections to associates of those affected. Spender said the current law sends a harmful message beyond school gates and that religious schools could keep their ethos without the exemption. The bill would still allow schools to prefer staff of their faith in hiring and in senior leadership roles.
Richard Wiseman, a Griffith High deputy principal, has been recognised with life membership of the NSW Teachers Federation after 38 years of advocacy. His efforts secured teacher housing, classroom air-conditioning, and a historic pay rise. Wiseman also successfully campaigned for improved incentives to attract teachers to Griffith, addressing chronic vacancies. He remains committed to strengthening public education in regional communities, despite increasing challenges. Wiseman's dedication has benefited both Griffith High and the broader education system.
Teachers and parents are rallying on Macquarie Street in Sydney to demand more preparation time for NSW teachers. A poll of more than 1,400 teachers found about 85 per cent have considered leaving the profession because of too little preparation time. Nine in ten said a guaranteed extra two hours a week would make them more likely to stay. The NSW Teachers Federation says the open letter, signed by more than 16,000 people, will be delivered to Parliament.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
ACT public school teachers rallied in the streets as part of a week of rolling stop-work action. The Australian Education Union ACT says a new pay and conditions offer must be better, or a full-day strike will go ahead in Term 4. Teachers say heavy workloads, classes being combined and a lack of resources are wearing them down. The Education Minister, Rachel Stephen-Smith, said bargaining is progressing well and she hopes to send a further offer to the union within a couple of weeks, so an agreement can go to ballot.
The NSW Teachers Federation says teachers need more preparation time, warning that heavy after-hours workloads could drive staff out of the profession. A survey of 1400 union members found about 85 per cent of the state's teachers had considered leaving education because of shortfalls. Primary teachers receive two hours a week of preparation time, the union says. Secondary teacher Josh Gonzales, from the Illawarra region, said many colleagues had broken down under the strain. The federation will lobby state parliament with an open letter calling for two more hours each week.
A Lowy Institute report, released on Monday, argues Papua New Guinea could learn from Australia in tackling a looming teacher shortage. It estimates the country will need up to 124,000 teachers by 2033, while local training institutions can accredit only about 2,200 people annually. Author Serena Sasingian, a former senior PNG government and non-profit figure, said the nation spent over $1.5 billion on education in its latest budget without addressing staffing. She recommended a 10-year plan and steps to make teaching attractive to high-performing graduates.
ACT public schools will face disruptions from 19 to 23 October due to planned industrial action by the Australian Education Union. The union is demanding staffing guarantees from the ACT Government. One-hour work stoppages will affect different schools each day, with reduced supervision and possible cancellations of camps and excursions. The action follows reports of severe staffing pressures, including a teacher supervising a class of 90 students. The union has encouraged parents and community members to support their campaign.
More than a third of Australian teachers say they plan to leave the profession before retirement, and a further third are unsure. A 2025 Australian study found 90% of teachers reported severe stress. A scoping review of 247 studies from 42 countries looked at positive psychology interventions aimed at keeping teachers well and motivated. It found that socio-emotional learning, mindfulness and combined wellbeing approaches were most often linked to lower stress and burnout. The authors say schools could support brief mindfulness practices, stronger relationships among staff, and reduced administrative workloads.
French police have detained a 14-year-old boy suspected of shooting his middle school principal and a teacher on Monday. He allegedly hid a hunting gun in a guitar case. The attack happened at the Joseph Lakanal middle school in Aubagne, east of Marseille. A staff member disarmed the boy after he fired several shots across two floors. Both adults were wounded in the legs, with injuries not considered life threatening. No pupils were hurt, and counselling is being offered to them.
