90% of Australian teachers report severe stress
Australian teachers face severe stress and mental health issues at three times the national norm.
Why it matters
- Teachers' mental health issues are far above the national average.
- High stress and workload are leading to burnout and turnover intentions.
By the numbers
- 90% of teachers report moderate to severe stress.
- 70% say their workload is largely or completely unmanageable.
- Nearly 5000 teachers surveyed across Australia.
The big picture
- Poor teacher mental health affects student achievement and wellbeing.
- Australia faces a critical teacher shortage, exacerbated by high turnover intentions.
What they're saying
- Teachers report constant trade-offs between personal life and student needs.
- Teaching is fulfilling but physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing.
Caveats
- The study is specific to Australia, but similar issues may exist elsewhere.
- The data was collected between October 2022 and May 2024.
What’s next
- Policy reforms to reduce non-essential workload and streamline administrative processes.
- Investment in digital mental health programs tailored for educators.