Australian Teachers Face Record Stress and Burnout
A new study reveals that educators face depression and stress rates far exceeding the national average.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Homework
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Recent findings published in the Social Psychology of Education indicate that Australian teachers experience depression at three times and stress at nearly four times the national norm. Researchers surveyed close to 5,000 primary and secondary teachers between 2022 and 2024 regarding their mental health and working conditions.
Why it matters
The study highlights how unmanageable administrative workloads, student behaviour management, and low salary scales are driving a mental health crisis among educators. Without systemic policy reform, the sector faces a projected exodus of experienced staff and worsening teacher shortages.
Teachers work an average of 53 to 58 hours per week, with 71.5 per cent showing signs of secondary traumatic stress. Additionally, 37 per cent of educators cite low salary scales as a primary stressor.
The players
UNSW Sydney
This institution served as the base for researchers who conducted the study on Australian teacher wellbeing.
The details
Administrative overload and a lack of institutional support for managing student behaviour are the leading drivers of teacher burnout in Australia. The research indicates that 45 per cent of core occupational stress is attributed specifically to the demands of managing student behaviour.
Timeline
Researchers surveyed 5,000 Australian teachers between 2022 and 2024.
The Black Dog Institute conducted a survey on teacher absences in 2023.
OECD TALIS data collection on teacher working hours occurred in 2024.
Culture Shift
The study follows a pattern established by the OECD TALIS teacher working hours programme, which has tracked escalating time demands for educators globally. This research updates the discourse by linking these structural time pressures directly to the current Australian mental health crisis.
The findings suggest that families may encounter worsening teacher shortages and increased staff turnover at their local schools. These systemic issues may necessitate adjustments to school programmes or class support structures as institutions struggle to retain educators.
The takeaway
Educators are managing significant psychological strain that requires urgent attention to institutional support frameworks. Addressing administrative burdens and behaviour management resources is essential for maintaining a sustainable workforce in the long term.
Further reading
For more context on the current state of education, explore the Homework section.
Live Poll
Do you believe the current workload expectations for teachers in your community are sustainable?
