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Chaplains and student wellbeing officers (SWOs) 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 SWOs to operate in a school. Student involvement in any activities offered by the chaplain or SWO is voluntary.
Chaplains and SWOs are not permitted to proselytise, and must respect, accept and be sensitive to other people’s views, values and beliefs.
Workers are required to hold the required
minimum qualifications to work in a school.
State schools that receive government funding specifically for these services are required to use these funds to engage a chaplain or SWO through an Accredited Employing Authority (AEA).
Government funded programs include:
Schools may also use school funds or community raised funds to engage or supplement a service.
Government funded programs
The National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) and the State Government Chaplain / Student Wellbeing Officer Program (CSWOP) are initiatives funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government respectively.
These programs provide funding of up to $20,280 (or up to $24,336 in remote and very remote areas) per annum, to participating Queensland state and non-state schools to engage a chaplain or a SWO.
More information on the
NSWP is available.
Allocation of government funding
All Queensland schools were invited to apply for government funding for the 2024–2027 school years.
The chaplaincy and SWO programs cross sector panel consists of a representative from each schooling sector's governing authority—the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, Independent Schools Queensland and the Department of Education—used a needs-based methodology to determine the distribution of funding to Queensland schooling sectors for 2024–27. See the panels
terms of reference.
The allocation of funding to Queensland 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.
For more information, please see the
list of state and non-state schools that receive government funding for these services.
All government funding for chaplaincy and SWO services for 2025–27 is fully allocated.
Accredited Employing Authorities
AEA are organisations that the department has approved under standing offer arrangement (SOA) to supply these services to schools.
The AEA is responsible for the recruitment, selection and employment of workers, as well as the ongoing professional development, training and professional supervision of the worker in areas pertinent to the role.
When establishing a contract with the school’s selected AEA, the following forms documentation is required to be completed:
The current SOA will expire on 31 December 2025. Current and prospective AEAs are encouraged to register on the
QTenders website to be alerted once the tender is advertised.
School chaplain and student wellbeing officer
The role of the school chaplain and SWO is largely the decision of the school principal with support from the school community. However, they must meet certain standards to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to work in a school.
School chaplains and SWOs must hold the following training and qualifications:
- valid Blue card
- School-based induction
- Certificate IV (or higher) qualification in Youth Work, Pastoral Care, or Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care (or equivalent).
The qualification(s) must include 3 units of competency in:
- mental health and making appropriate referrals (or equivalent); and either
- providing pastoral care or working with youth (or equivalent).
Chaplains must also be endorsed by a recognised or accepted religious institution.
Chaplains and SWO are
not permitted to evangelise or proselytise, nor attempt to undermine a student's beliefs.
Read the
chaplaincy and SWO services policy statement for further information about the program.
Supporting documents and forms
Supporting documents
Forms
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