Teacher Wellbeing:
Why Action Can’t Wait
Johanna Crichton
You Can Do It! Education Australia CEO

- 5 minute read
The numbers are confronting, but for many of us, they confirm what we see in schools every day. Recent research from UNSW Sydney has revealed that nine out of ten Australian teachers are experiencing severe stress, and nearly 70% feel their workload is unmanageable. Even more striking, teachers are facing depression and anxiety at rates three times higher than the national average.
This issue is not isolated to Australia. In 2024, research commissioned by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) revealed that 64% of teachers are unable to complete assigned tasks, 44% reported working more than 7 hours of weekly unpaid work, and 25% an extra 15 hours per week. Similar trends are seen internationally, with surveys indicating teachers regularly work well beyond contracted hours, contributing to increased stress and burnout.
Sadly, these findings aren’t a surprise. The pressure on educators and school leaders has been mounting for years with heavier workloads, increased classroom challenges, and a growing list of responsibilities. Reports from the Black Dog Institute show nearly half of Australian teachers are considering leaving the profession within the next year. And it’s not just early-career teachers; mid- and late-career teachers are also feeling the strain.
Why does this matter so much?
Because teacher wellbeing is deeply connected to student success, when our teachers are supported, our students thrive. While new policies like the National Teacher Workforce Plan and advocacy by the Australian Education Union are steps in the right direction, more needs to be done. We need practical changes: streamlined workloads, targeted wellbeing programs, and a renewed respect for teachers in our communities.
At You Can Do It! Education Australia, we’re passionate about supporting schools to prioritise staff wellbeing. Our two popular self-paced online programs, The Resilient Educator and Social Emotional Learning for All, are designed to empower teachers with practical tools and strategies for thriving in today’s demanding educational environment. Both programs offer educators a dedicated space to reflect on their practice, explore the evidence-based science behind wellbeing and resilience, and develop personalised action plans for managing the pressures of being an educator. By focusing on the core skills of resilience, confidence, persistence, organisation, and getting along, our programs help teachers build their own social-emotional strengths while also modelling these skills for their students.
A key feature of our approach is the emphasis on connection and collaboration. Through integrated coaching and mentoring opportunities, teachers are encouraged to share experiences, support one another, and foster a sense of community. This collaborative environment ensures that educators don’t feel isolated and can draw on collective wisdom to navigate challenges. We provide support in face-to-face workshops and online webinars to ensure that our programs are valuable and impactful.
By investing in staff wellbeing, schools not only support their teachers but also create a positive ripple effect that benefits the entire school community. At You Can Do It! Education, we are committed to helping educators feel valued, supported, and equipped to make a lasting difference.
Brendan Reed is a seasoned primary and secondary educator whose career encompasses a wide range of leadership positions, including Head of Sport, Head of Performing Arts, Year 7 & 8 Coordinator, Head of Junior Campus, and Acting Deputy Principal. As a dedicated father of four, Brendan draws on both his personal and professional experiences to inform his compassionate approach to education. With a doctoral thesis centered on the lived experiences of teacher stress, Brendan is deeply passionate about student and staff wellbeing.
His mission is to create professional environments where educators feel empowered to set clear boundaries for self-care, maintain manageable workloads, and confidently express their experiences with burnout and overload. Brendan is committed to fostering supportive school communities where the voices and wellbeing of teachers are truly prioritised.
Currently, Brendan is engaged in Action Research within school communities, working to embed staff wellbeing at the forefront of school policy, structures, and conversations. Through this work, he aims to cultivate supportive environments where both educators and students can truly thrive.
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Now is the time for less talk and more action. What changes would make the biggest difference for you and your staff?
Together, we can make a positive change for educators and students alike.

E1. Social-Emotional Learning for All:
Best Practice of You Can Do It! Education eLearning Course