Violence against principals has nearly doubled over the past 15 years, driving a sharp decline in school leaders' health and wellbeing nationwide, according to data from an ongoing Australian Catholic University Survey.
Almost 48 per cent reported physical violence from either students, parents and even colleagues, as aggression risks become normalised in schools.
"Unfortunately, we hear instances of parents (who) have have brought in implements and banged on tables, shaken walls and doors," Australian Catholic University associate professor Paul Kidson told AAP.
"Those are utterly inappropriate workplace behaviours for anybody to be subjected to."
Escalating violence reached a tipping point at Melbourne's Keysborough Secondary College in December, when 37-year-old teacher Kim Ramchen allegedly attacked principal Aaron Sykes after learning his contract would not be renewed at the end of the school term.
Some schools have even been forced to restrict parent access to designated drop-off and pick-up zones when tensions rise and parents are not welcome.
Principals suffer at least $25,000 per year in lost productivity based on an analysis of their income, hours worked and time spent dealing with behaviours including physical violence, threats, bullying, cyber bullying and sexual harassment, according to the report.
Increased stress and burnout is also leading to escalating rates of anxiety and depression among school leaders, with 10 per cent of principals recording severe anxiety scores.
School leaders are working almost 54 hours a week on average.
"This is the hardest job I have ever done - it is completely consuming," an anonymous government teacher said in the report.
"There is very little space in my life for anything else.
"I know it is impossible to meet all of the demands and expectations on me."
More than half of school leaders are seriously considering leaving their current job, a statistic that has been rising year-on-year.
Urgent reforms are needed to address the sustainability of leadership across Australian schools, educational psychologist and co-chief investigator Herb Marsh said.
"The power of a 15-year longitudinal study is that we can see real trends, not isolated headlines," professor Marsh said.
"That gives policymakers something valuable, evidence about where pressure is building and where reform can make a difference."
The report calls for co-ordinated action to reduce workload, as well as improved mental health support and workplace safety.
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