Dedicated team supporting school staff wellbeing

The Tasmanian Government is working to deliver better wellbeing outcomes for school staff with a new School Staff Wellbeing Response Team.

The team, which is the first of its kind in Tasmania, will provide dedicated and targeted wellbeing support for staff in a selected group of 13 Tasmanian Government schools, helping them respond to the complex challenges of their roles.

Insights from this work will guide planning for 2026 and beyond, including opportunities to expand support to more schools and strengthen proactive wellbeing initiatives for all school staff.

Minister for Education, Jo Palmer, said staff are the backbone of every school community.

“We know that when workplaces invest in wellbeing for their staff, there are better outcomes for everyone,” Minister Palmer said.

“The Wellbeing Team works shoulder-to-shoulder with school leaders and staff in times of stress, critical incidents or workplace challenges.

“We are delivering for Tasmania by ensuring staff are supported and schools can continue to deliver improved education outcomes for students.”

The School Staff Wellbeing Response team will complement and work in close collaboration with broader wellbeing services, through Wellbeing Connect, which are available to all employees working within the Department for Education, Children and Young People.

Minister Palmer said these services have an expanded scope, with a greater emphasis on proactive and early intervention and enhanced support following traumatic incidents.

“For the first time, immediate family members of employees can also access personal counselling and support,” Minister Palmer said.

Funding of $1 million per year for the School Staff Wellbeing Response Team has been provided through the Better and Fairer Schools agreement.