Almost two million students will take part in a national day against bullying, nearly double last year's participation rate.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has released a video message to mark the highest participation levels in the history of the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.
"The overwhelming response to this year's National Day of Action highlights that Australia's schools, students and families are united in stamping out bullying," Mr Turnbull said on Friday.
New data from Kids Helpline shows it received more than 3,500 calls from children and young people about bullying last year.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has welcomed the support to this year's National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. Source: AAP
Eighty-three per cent of those calls concerned bullying at school.
While in recent years a number of programs have been rolled out focusing on helping children deal with cyber bullying, Kids Helpline says in 73 per cent of calls it received about bullying there was no online or texting element.
Today aims to focus on why children bully, rather than the technology they use.
"If we only focus on the device we are only having part of the conversation," said Chief Executive Tracy Adams.
Kids Helpline says adults need to act quickly to help young people when they are being bullied.
"The worst advice that a parent can give a child if they come forward is simply advice that says get over it, do not worry about it. We know that is not the reality," said Ms Adams.
"Parents have to be willing to have a conversation with their child."
"And we need to make sure that any child that comes forward help-seeking has a positive response."
- with AAP
