The first six-month barring order against a violent and abusive parent has been issued under tough new powers to protect staff, students and school communities.
The Malinauskas Government implemented changes late last year which:
- Doubled the time an individual can be barred from an education or care site, from three to six months.
- Tripled the penalty for breaching an order, up to $7,500.
- Expand laws to abusive, threatening or harassing online communications.
- Enable a principal to bar a person from coming within 25 metres of the boundary of a school, preschool or children's service.
- Ensures a ban applies to off-site activities, like camps and excursions.
The six-month order was made against a parent who threatened students and staff on school grounds and was physically violent towards a member of their school community off-site, with police now investigating.
The changes were introduced after a sharp rise in the number of incidents of parental abuse, leading to a 200 per cent increase in parental bans in public schools from 2019 to 2023 – when 137 barring notices were issued, in 2023.
Latest data shows 121 barring orders were issued in the 2025 school year, alongside 226 formal warnings. This is similar to 2024 figures.
Around half of all barring orders issued in 2025 were for threatening behaviour, with eight issued after actual physical violence towards a parent, student or staff member.
In term 1 of 2026, 14 barring orders have been issued – including a newly captured order for a sustained pattern of threats and harassment online. This reform prohibits a person from targeting a member of staff when they are not at work.
A person can be barred if they pose a risk to the safety and wellbeing of others, cause disruption to the learning or working environment or engage in unreasonable or threatening communication with or about staff.
Importantly, barring a parent does not prevent their child from continuing to attend the school, preschool or children's service.
The laws were co-designed with leaders' associations, parent groups and community groups. They apply in all public, Catholic and independent schools, preschools, children's services centres and approved education and care services.
As put by Lucy Hood
We are sending a clear message that violence and abuse in our schools and preschools won't be tolerated.
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.
As put by SA Secondary Principals' Association Chief Executive Kirsty Amos
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.
Schools work hard to manage incidents fairly but safety must come first. No child or educator should feel unsafe or vulnerable because of the unacceptable behaviour of a few individuals.
