Chaplaincy and student wellbeing officer services

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:

• the Australian Government National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP)

• the State Government Chaplain / Student Wellbeing ​Officer Program (CSWOP).

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.
• C​atholic 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 a​rrangement (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:

• Schedule A: Contract schedule
  
• Deed of confidentiality, privacy and conflicts of interest
• Purchase order
• Workplan​.
  

The current SOA will expire on 31 December 2025.

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​

• Guidelines for schools
• Flowchart for establishing a service
• Terms and ​definitions
• Funding guidelines information sheet
• Role of the chaplain / ​SWO​
• Chaplains /​ SWO​ training and qualifications
• AEAs information sheet
• List of AEAs​
• List of Queensland state, independent and Catholic schools funded for chaplaincy and SWO services
• Information for Queensland state school principals: Chaplaincy and SWO services frequently asked questions
• National Student Wellbeing Program—Federation Funding Agreement

Form​s​

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

Schooling authority contacts​

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​​​