South Australia’s tougher new school safety laws are already being put into action, with the state issuing its first six-month barring order against a parent accused of violent and threatening behaviour.
The ban, introduced under reforms rolled out by the State Government late last year, was issued after a parent allegedly threatened students and staff on school grounds and was physically violent towards a member of the school community off-site. Police are now investigating the incident.
The strengthened legislation significantly expands the powers schools have to protect staff, students and families from abusive behaviour, both in person and online.
Under the new laws, barring orders can now last up to six months instead of three, penalties for breaching an order have tripled to as much as $7,500, and bans can extend beyond school grounds to camps, excursions and areas within 25 metres of a school boundary.
The laws now also cover threatening, abusive or harassing behaviour online, a growing issue schools say has increasingly spilled onto social media and into teachers’ personal lives.
Minister for Education, Training and Skills Lucy Hood shared, “Tough penalties are in effect for individuals who target our educators and put the safety of children and young people at risk.
“Changes implemented ensure protections extend beyond the school gate, as teachers, principals and families rightly expect.
“Expanding orders to address threats or derogatory comments made online better protects staff outside of work from the rise in abuse we’ve seen on these platforms.”
Between 2019 and 2023, parental bans in public schools increased by 200 per cent, with 137 barring notices issued in 2023 alone.
Latest figures show 121 barring orders were issued during the 2025 school year, alongside 226 formal warnings.
Roughly half of the orders related to threatening behaviour, while eight involved physical violence directed at staff, students or other parents.
Already in term one of 2026, 14 barring orders have been issued, including one linked specifically to a sustained pattern of online harassment, one of the first examples of the expanded digital protections being used.
SA Secondary Principals’ Association Chief Executive Kirsty Amos shared, “In the rare cases at schools where individuals behave aggressively or threateningly, we need strong measures to protect our students, staff, and school community.
“This legislation acts as a powerful deterrent and encourages anyone considering such behaviour to pause, reflect, and seek respectful ways to resolve the concerns instead.
“When a ban is necessary, there are clear opportunities for families to talk it through with the school and find a way forward together, always with the child’s best interests in mind.”
The laws apply across public, Catholic and independent schools, as well as preschools, childcare centres and approved education and care services throughout South Australia.
The reforms were developed in consultation with school leaders, parent organisations and community groups as schools continue grappling with rising concerns around aggression, online abuse and staff wellbeing.
