Chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer services

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers provide support across the whole school community and are optional for schools. They help to monitor school wellbeing, are an additional adult role model for students, and are involved in parent and community engagement.

Local community support is required for chaplains and student wellbeing officers to operate in a school. Student involvement in any activities offered by the chaplain or student wellbeing officer is voluntary.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers are inclusive of, and show respect for everyone in the school community. All activities, programs and events provided are non-discriminatory and equally available to all students.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers are not permitted to evangelise or proselytise, nor attempt to undermine a student's beliefs.

Many school communities across the state have established a chaplaincy or student wellbeing officer service with the assistance of state and/or Australian Government funding through the use of school funds and/or through local community fundraising. Some schools may have a volunteer chaplain or student wellbeing officer.

Government funded programs include:

• Australian Government National Student Wellbeing Program

• State Government Student Wellbeing Programs (SWPs).

By agreement of the chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer programs cross-sector panel, a need-based methodology was used to determine the distribution of funding to Queensland schooling sectors for 2024–27. Total funding distributed to the 3 sectors was based on Index of Community Socio-educational Advantage (ICSEA), First Nations data, geographic location and boarding facilities.

All Queensland schools were invited to apply for funding for 2024–27. The allocation of funding to schools was then determined by each schooling sector as follows:

• State schools that were funded under the previous program were prioritised, to allow for continuity of service provision. Schools on the waiting list are prioritised based on ICSEA and First Nations student population data.
• Independent schools were prioritised based on geographic location, ICSEA and First Nations student population data.
• Catholic school allocations were determined based on geographic remoteness, First Nations student population data and schools with a boarding facility. Schools on the waiting list are prioritised based on ICSEA.

All government funding for chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer services in 2024–27 is fully allocated.

The chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer services policy statement and supporting documents provide assistance for schools implementing these services (whether funded or voluntary).

Policy statement

Chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer services policy statement

Supporting documents

• Guidelines for schools
• Flowchart for establishing a service
• Definitions
• Funding guidelines
• Role of the chaplain/student wellbeing officer
• Training and qualifications
• Accredited Employing Authorities (AEAs)
• List of Accredited Employing Authorities (AEAs)
• List of Queensland state, independent and Catholic schools funded for chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer services
• Information for Queensland state school principals: Chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer services frequently asked questions
• National Student Wellbeing Program—Federation Funding Agreement

Forms

• Form 1 parent/student consent form
• Form 2 workplan
• Minimum qualification waiver request form
• Schedule A: Contract schedule
• Purchase order template
• Deed of confidentiality, privacy and conflicts of interest

Contact for further information

If you have any questions, please contact your relevant schooling authority.

Department of Education

Email: chaplainswellbeingofficers@qed.qld.gov.au

Independent Schools Queensland

Email: studentservices@isq.qld.edu.au
Phone: (07) 3228 1591

Queensland Catholic Education Commission

Ms Hannah Orchard
Email: hannaho@qcec.catholic.edu.au
Phone: (07) 3316 5852​