City · Queensland
Brisbane
Brisbane faces a documented bullying crisis, high cyberbullying rates, and rapidly growing mental health demand as the city prepares for the 2032 Olympics and associated pressure on communities.
2.7 million
Estimated population
~1,200 schools
Approximate schools
46,000+
bullying incidents across QLD schools in 2023
38%
of young Queenslanders experienced cyberbullying
↑ 35%
headspace Brisbane presentations since 2021
Priority Wellbeing Issues
Bullying in Schools
Critical46,000+ QLD incidents
The Queensland Auditor-General recorded over 46,000 bullying incidents in state schools in 2023. Brisbane schools account for the majority. Incident counts alone understate the scale — most bullying goes unreported.
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Cyberbullying
Critical38% in past 12 months
Over a third of Brisbane teens experienced cyberbullying in the past year. The online/offline boundary has collapsed — school conflicts play out on social media 24/7.
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Academic & ATAR Stress
Elevated↑ Year 11–12
Brisbane's competitive private school sector intensifies ATAR pressure. Mental health presentations linked to study stress peak in Terms 3–4, with Year 12 students most affected.
Racism & Discrimination
ElevatedMission AU 2024 top concern
Discrimination is a top wellbeing concern for Brisbane's diverse youth population. Students from Pacific Islander, Southeast Asian, and First Nations communities report the highest rates of school-based discrimination.
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schoolSchool Profile Data · ACARA 2025
Schools in Brisbane
School Profile Data · ACARA 2025
schoolSchools
5
in this area
groupsStudents
8,465
total enrolments
equalizerAvg ICSEA
1146
146 points above national average
domainBy Sector
Government
60%(3)
Catholic
20%(1)
Independent
20%(1)
diversity_3Equity Indicators
bar_chart
2.8%Socioeconomic disadvantage
in lowest ICSEA quarter
people
1.3%Indigenous students
avg across schools
translate
45.8%Language other than English
LBOTE avg across schools
info
Source: ACARA National School Profile, data as at March 2025. ICSEA national average is 1000. Schools shown are matched via postcode to SA3 region.
How Data Changes Outcomes
Prevention Insight
Brisbane schools need systematic, data-led approaches to identify bullying victims and perpetrators early. Manual reporting systems miss the majority of incidents.
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