Tasmanian educators have expressed outrage at the latest data showing some Tasmanian students are waiting over a year to get specialist support due to the ongoing crisis in our schools.

“Budget Estimates today revealed a shocking 2,217 students in Tasmanian Government schools were waiting to see a school psychologist,” said David Genford, AEU Tasmania Branch President.

“A further 380 were waiting to see a social worker, with another 598 waiting to see a speech and language pathologist,” said Mr Genford.1

“Most Tasmanian students are now waiting at least a year to get supports they desperately need. Most students are waiting 250 days just for an initial assessment with a psychologist, but another 198 days to receive an intervention,” he said.

“Minister Palmer says she is committed to ‘ensuring every Tasmanian child is known, safe, well and learning.’ We’re failing on every single measure,” he said.

“The 2024-25 State Budget does nothing to attract or retain the specialists desperately needed in Tasmania’s schools. The Rockliff Government has refused to extend existing incentives to recruit allied health professionals in health to our schools.”

“Failing to provide the investment needed to attract and retain allied health professionals in schools is putting kids lives at risk. Cutting budgets in the middle of a crisis is worse still. You can’t put out a fire while you’re pouring petrol on it.”

“The Rockliff Government are telling Tasmanians they’ve tried nothing–and they’re all out of ideas.”

“This Budget has done nothing to fix the staffing crisis that’s pushing students and educators to the brink. This is a shocking indictment on a Government that has failed in its duty of care to students, to educators and to families.”