The new data came from the 2016 Principal Health and Wellbeing Report, released this week.

More than one in two principals surveyed in Tasmania reported incidents of bullying in 2016, and one in two also reported being burnt out from work. Threats and physical violence were also serious issues reported in the state.

Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the government was committed to creating safe school environments.

“Any reports of bullying or threatening behaviour is of great concern.”

Association president Malcolm Elliott said the revelations were “distressing”, and that issues of bullying, violence and burnout occurred across all Tasmanian school sectors, including private, Catholic and public.

“A lot of damage has already been done and we feel this is symptomatic of other issues within the Tasmanian community in regards to our socio-economic status and social and economic development.

“We think it’s time for our elected representatives to take more of a leading role in the community, talking about what appropriate attitudes are towards, not only school principals, but also to other front line staff.

“While we’re calling for statements from the premier down and a whole-of-government approach, we know the Education Department and the government are certainly closely engaged with this set of issues and are working with the professional associations on ways to bring it to a conclusion, but the work is urgent and we don’t want to wait another year to get another report saying bullying is on the rise.”

Mr Rockliff said Tasmanian schools would each have an adult behaviour management policy, developed in association with the local school association, as part of the new Education Act, which would be implemented from July 10 this year.