Media Release | 16 August 2026
Liam Staltari MLA
Shadow Minister for Education;
Early Childhood; Disability Services
WA public schools were forced into lockdown more than six times every school day last year, with new figures showing lockdowns have more than doubled since Labor came to office.
Data provided in response to Opposition questions in State Parliament shows public schools recorded 1,327 lockdowns in 2025, compared with 578 in 2017 – an increase of 130 per cent.
Of those lockdowns, 1,103 were triggered by conduct classified by the Education Department as a “threat to violence” – more than four in five. That compares with 484 lockdowns triggered by threats of violence in 2017.
A school lockdown is an emergency response under which students and staff are directed to remain in, or move to, secured areas within the school, to protect them from an actual or potential threat. It can apply to all areas or select parts of a school.
Shadow Education Minister Liam Staltari said the figures should concern every parent, teacher and school community.
“These figures show the number of serious incidents forcing schools into lockdown has risen dramatically,” he said. “A lockdown is not a routine response. It is an emergency measure used when a school believes students or staff may be at risk.
“The Education Minister needs to explain why lockdowns have more than doubled since 2017, and why more than 1,100 were triggered by threats of violence, such as physical assault and threatening behaviour, in just one year.
“After nearly a decade in government, Labor cannot keep responding to violence and serious behaviour in our schools with more talk.
“We need a firm approach backed by meaningful intervention and diversion programs for disengaged students before their behaviour escalates. Students and staff deserve to feel safe at school.
“These figures, alongside rising teacher resignations and mounting concerns about violence, stress and burnout, are further evidence of the enormous pressure facing WA’s public school system.”
Media Contact: Graham Mason – 0419 194 79
