Australian educators face a higher risk of being attacked at work or suffering mental health conditions than any other profession and researchers fear the problem could be bigger than first thought.

Monash University academics analysed 1.5 million compensation claims from 2009-2015 and found 4.5 per cent of teachers’ cases related to assault, compared to just two per cent for non-educators.

Secondary school teachers, specialist educators and aides experienced the highest rate of assault-related injuries and mental health conditions.

Overall however, educators still had a lower rate of claims than other professions and spent less time away from work.

Commonly reported conditions included injuries due to student-inflicted violence, psychological distress and musculoskeletal pain.

The findings were based on claims data, prompting researchers from Monash University School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to suggest actual rates of violence towards teachers could be even higher.

They suggested educators may be discouraged from submitting workers compensation claims due to workplace culture, attitudes from leadership and utilising school holidays to recuperate.

The findings coincide with the federal government’s release on Thursday of a draft National Teacher Workforce Action Plan in a bid to address workforce shortages across the country.

The $328 million blueprint was created through discussions with teachers, principals, unions and the higher education sector.

Measures include a $25m boost to address workloads and a further $10m to raise the status of the profession.

Anyone in the industry is able to provide feedback on the plan until December.

– AAP