CLASSROOMS are set to become safer and more supportive, with the State Government rolling out almost 140 new Workplace Health and Safety Officers across the State.
This initiative is part of a $57 million expansion funded through the landmark Bilateral Agreement, which fully funds state schools for the first time in Queensland’s history.
The new officers will work directly with principals using a cluster model to assess risks, develop strategies and implement safety measures.
Their focus will be on tackling occupational violence and easing the administrative burden on teachers by taking on tasks such as safety assessments, hazard responses, and incident investigations – giving teachers more time to focus on teaching.
This move follows a successful pilot program in 33 state schools in 2024. The expanded rollout will see the program reach 340 schools, supporting teachers and school leaders at a time when occupational violence and WorkCover claims have been on the rise.
In the 2023-24 financial year, more than $80 million was paid to school staff for physical and psychological injuries, with 960 claims lodged with WorkCover Queensland.
Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek said the initiative was a key part of the Government’s plan to cut red tape for teachers by 25 per cent over the next four years.
The initiative supports the broader $222.1 million More Teachers, Better Education plan, which includes additional teacher aides and behaviour specialists to help prevent bullying, increase support for students and improve classroom behaviour and learning conditions.
The Bilateral Agreement also outlines 10 key reform actions to be delivered with additional federal funding.
These include reducing teacher and principal workloads, providing professional development for mentors of early-career teachers, supporting small group tuition for students transitioning into full-time learning, implementing mandatory phonics and numeracy checks in early schooling years, expanding the Queensland Virtual
Academy, and helping schools establish strong attendance and behavioural standards.
Implementation of these reforms will be shaped by consultation with school communities, stakeholders, and staff, as part of the Government’s commitment to delivering a world-class education system for Queensland students.
