Understanding Violence in Victorian Registered Training Organisations (RTOs): Key Findings & Recommendations

Violence in the workplace is a pervasive issue across Australia, and this study aims to fill the knowledge gap regarding its prevalence and impact specifically within Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in Victoria. This research, encompassing both staff and students, provides crucial insights to support the development of initiatives addressing violence in these settings.

About the Study

The "Understanding the Prevalence of Violence within Registered Training Organisations in Victoria: Final Report" (June 2025) was prepared by Rebecca Bricknall, Dr Rachel Bush, and Kit McMahon. This project is supported by WorkSafe's WorkWell Respect Fund.

The survey was conducted from July 10, 2024, to March 31, 2025, and collected data on experiences and perpetration of workplace sexual harassment and gender-based violence, including bullying, discrimination, and violence and aggression. It also examined intention to leave and absenteeism/presenteeism

Key Findings

    • Prevalence: One in two (51%) staff surveyed experienced some form of violence at work in the last 12 months.

    • Types of Violence:

      • Bullying: 32%

      • Violence & Aggression: 22%

      • Sexual Harassment: 18%

      • Discrimination: 13%, with women more likely to report it (16% vs 8% men)

    • At-Risk Groups: Staff under 45, those with a disability, and those identifying as "not straight" are more likely to experience violence .

    • Perpetrators: Often managers/supervisors or colleagues. Students also perpetrate, primarily for violence and aggression .

    • Prevalence: Fewer than 1 in 10 (7%) students experienced violence at their training provider in the last 12 months .

    • Types of Violence:

      • Discrimination: 8%

      • Bullying: 8%

      • Sexual Harassment: 4%

      • Violence and Aggression: 3%

    • Predominant Victims: All student victims identified as women or non-binary.

    • Perpetrators: A mix of managers, educators, and other students.

Impact of Violence

Workplace violence significantly impacts productivity and well-being across both staff and students.

  • Underreporting: Most incidents go unreported due to fear of negative impact on reputation, career, or academic future, or the belief that the incident isn't serious enough .

  • Sexual Harassment Response: Victims often downplay the severity, laughing it off or avoiding the perpetrator, which negatively impacts mental health and productivity .

  • "Part of the Job" Mentality: A concerning proportion of staff (20%) and students (20%) believe dealing with violence is "just part of the job" .

  • Absenteeism: Staff who experienced violence missed an average of 2.3 days due to work-related mental health issues, compared to 1.4 days for others . Students missed an average of 1 day due to study-related mental health.

  • Intention to Leave: Staff who experienced violence are more likely to consider leaving their job (44% vs 13% of those who did not)

Key Recommendations

To foster a safer environment, RTOs should implement the following recommendations:

  • Clear Policies & Procedures: Ensure violence prevention policies and reporting procedures are clear, accessible, and well-communicated to all staff and students. Go beyond basic announcements .

  • Zero-Tolerance Communication: Emphatically communicate a zero-tolerance approach to violence.

  • Education & Awareness: Educate staff on what constitutes violence and its harm to counter casual attitudes and the "part of the job" perception .

  • Support Programs: Provide and promote Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) or peer support programs to support victims and improve mental health.

  • Bystander Intervention Training: Implement bystander intervention training for both staff and students to empower them to intervene safely and support those impacted by violence

Access the Full Report

For a comprehensive understanding of the study's findings and methodologies, you can download the full report and handout.