Being a bus driver in Australia today is nothing like it was a decade ago. Increasingly, drivers are not only navigating busy roads but also facing rising levels of verbal and physical aggression.
Rising Incidents of Aggression
In Queensland alone, union data and government statistics show a startling jump in attacks on drivers—both verbal and physical—in recent years.
Practical Solutions for Safety
When frontline staff are at risk, the natural instinct is to ask, “What can actually be done?” The answer: skills, preparation, and strong workplace culture—which is exactly what OVA (Occupational Violence and Aggression) training with providers like Resolution Education delivers. Resolution Education’s programs are tailored for the real, high-pressure scenarios bus drivers face daily.
The ADP Framework: Practical Training in Action
Our approach isn’t about just handing out theory. Using the ADP Framework—Awareness, De-escalation, Protection—Resolution Education zeroes in on practical tools: recognising warning signs of agitation early, using body language and communication techniques to diffuse situations, and knowing “what to do next” to keep themselves and passengers safe.
Practical, hands-on roleplay and scenario work mean drivers walk away not just knowing what to do, but actually able to do it in the moment. This is essential, considering the intensity of incidents – with several drivers reporting direct assaults, including being spat on, punched, or threatened with weapons.
The New Normal and the Role of Training
Media attention spikes after major incidents, but the tough truth is—these acts of aggression are becoming the new normal for many bus drivers. OVA training changes the game. With our training programs, drivers learn to spot trouble before it escalates, stay calm under pressure, and follow protocols that protect everyone on board.
Drivers report increased confidence, less anxiety, greater teamwork, and lower turnover—crucial gains in an industry battling chronic staffing and safety issues.
Why Invest in OVA Training?
Why should bus operators and councils invest in this kind of training?
Not just because it’s a WHS or legal requirement—though it absolutely is—but because without it, lives and careers are on the line.
Resolution Education’s training—a blend of hard-won expertise, legal insight, and hands-on skills—gives bus drivers back some control in an unpredictable world.
Take Action for Safer Workplaces
With OVA on the rise, the time for proactive, tailored training is now. Every front-line worker deserves to finish their shift as safely as they started it—and that’s why investing in expert OVA training like Resolution Education’s genuinely matters.
Contact us today to find out more.
