More than 1500 students have been suspended or expelled for assaulting state school teachers in the past 15 months, including 174 incidents that led to WorkCover claims.

Those 1500 students were some of the 82,000 students suspended or expelled over the same period, with 23,000 of those punished for physical misconduct.

The Opposition raised the figures during a budget estimates hearing, stating it was cause for concern.

"Any assault on our hardworking teachers is one too many," shadow Education Minister Tracy Davis said in a statement.