Moreover, the number of teachers filing workers' compensation claims due to violence rose significantly, with 43 claims in term 1 of 2025 compared to 27 and 24 claims in terms 3 and 4 of 2024.

During this same period, 3,877 students were suspended for physical aggression, and 41 students faced permanent or temporary exclusion due to violent behavior.

Comparatively, the previous year saw 5,775 students suspended and 70 excluded in terms 3 and 4 combined, suggesting that the current year is poised for further increases in these figures.

In response to these issues, Winton plans to convene a roundtable with stakeholders to address underlying problems related to student behavior and to highlight successful strategies already being employed in schools.

The rise in violence has also contributed to a concerning increase in teacher resignations, with WA public school teacher resignations doubling over the past five years, and 83% of surveyed teachers considering quitting due to stress and violence.

Opposition education spokesman Liam Staltari criticized the government's approach, stating that school violence has reached record levels and called for immediate action and investment in diversionary programs for at-risk students.

In the first term of 2025, West Australian schools reported over 1,000 violent incidents, marking a significant rise in school violence compared to previous years.

Education Minister Sabine Winton acknowledged that violence in schools is a major concern, influenced by factors beyond school, including social media, and emphasized the need for parental involvement.

This alarming trend follows figures from terms 3 and 4 of 2024, which showed approximately 1,400 reports of violent incidents, indicating a potential increase of nearly 45% for the same periods in 2025.