Frequently asked questions

The provision of religious instruction during school hours in Queensland state schools is legislated in Chapter 5 of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 and Part 5 of the Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2017.

Religious instruction is not compulsory, nor is it provided to students in the Preparatory Year (Prep). Consistent with legislation, any parent of a student enrolled at a state school may withdraw the student from religious instruction by notifying the principal in writing. During the period allocated for religious instruction, students who are not participating in religious instruction must be provided with other instruction in a separate location (not in the same room).

Legislation allows any minister of a religious denomination or society, or an accredited representative of a faith group who has been approved by the Minister of Education (or state school principal as the Minister’s delegate), to provide religious instruction.

Religious instruction is not part of a teacher's or chaplain's duties. However, if a chaplain or a teacher works part-time, they may choose to provide religious instruction in their own time, outside of their scheduled work hours.

Students (in Years 1 to 12) who have parental consent (as per application for student enrolment or other written parental advice) can attend.

Religious instruction is delivered when students who are members of a faith group are enrolled at the school and there is a capacity for that faith group to deliver an authorised program. Local arrangements for the delivery of religious instruction by faith groups to relevant students are made either as a single or a cooperative arrangement.

The faith group determines the content of religious instruction programs. The religious leader of the faith group approves the program of instruction. If the faith group is a member of a cooperative arrangement for religious instruction, then the program of instruction is approved by all participating religious leaders.

Religious instruction is not a curriculum or syllabus provided by the Department of Education. The department has no involvement in the selection of content for religious instruction, however, the principal is responsible for ensuring that the content of the religious instruction program does not contravene legislation or departmental policies.

Under Part 2 Management of State instruction institutions in the Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2017, principals have a legislated responsibility to promote a caring, safe and supportive learning environment, as well as a common law duty of care for students, and must ensure that any programs delivered in their school, including RI, do not contravene legislation or departmental policies.

The principal in consultation with the school community will determine the types of activities offered to students not participating in religious instruction. Other instruction must relate to part of a subject area that has already been covered in a student's class, for example: homework tasks, personal research and/or assignments, revision of class work and wider reading, or other activities.