The Crisis: Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and school-related stress are leaving students struggling. Unfortunately, many schools lack adequate mental health support.

What We Need:

• A federally funded National Student Wellbeing Program to provide schools with access to qualified mental health professionals.

• Mandatory mental health education integrated into school curricula to help students develop resilience and coping strategies.

• Increased funding for early intervention programs to prevent long-term mental health issues.

2. The impact of social media on students and their families

The Crisis: Social media is exposing children to cyberbullying, harmful content, and addictive algorithms, all of which negatively affect their mental health and family relationships.

What We Need:

• Stricter age verification laws and accountability for social media platforms that expose children to harmful content.

• Federal investment in education programs for both parents and students on digital safety and healthy technology use.

• Greater school-based support to help families manage social media addiction.

3. School refusal – addressing the growing crisis

The Crisis: An increasing number of students are refusing to attend school due to anxiety, bullying, and lack of support, resulting in disengagement from education.

What We Need:

• Targeted intervention programs to support students struggling with school attendance.

• More flexible learning options, such as hybrid models and online learning support.

• Increased investment in teacher training to identify and address school refusal early.

4. Vaping – Protecting Our Children from Nicotine Addiction

The Crisis: Vaping is rapidly rising among students, with easy access to nicotine products fueling addiction and health risks.

What We Need:

• Stronger enforcement against the illegal sale of vapes to minors.

• A national school-based education campaign to combat misinformation and highlight the dangers of vaping.

• Mandatory plain packaging and advertising bans to reduce vaping’s appeal to young people.

5. NAPLAN – supporting parents and students

The Crisis: NAPLAN has become a source of stress for students and families, often failing to provide meaningful insights into learning progress.

What We Need:

• Reform of NAPLAN to focus on student growth rather than high-stakes testing.

• More transparent reporting for parents, offering constructive feedback on results.

• Reduced pressure on schools and students by exploring alternative assessment methods.

The BIG ISSUE: Cuts to Funding for Independent and Faith-Based Schools

Some political parties are advocating for cuts to government funding for independent and faith-based schools. This would severely impact the school choice available to thousands of Australian families.

What We Need:

• A firm commitment that government funding for independent and faith-based schools will not be cut.

• A recognition that all schools – public, independent, and faith-based – play a critical role in Australia’s education system and should be supported accordingly.

• Policies that ensure parental choice in education, allowing families access to the schooling options that best suit their children’s needs.

APC’s Message to Candidates

Parents across Australia are demanding action. APC represents the families of 720,000 students enrolled in independent schools and expects elected representatives to prioritize the wellbeing and future of our children. We urge all candidates to publicly commit to these policy measures and work towards meaningful change.

We welcome further discussion with candidates on how they can support APC’s advocacy efforts.