The National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP):
- supports the emotional wellbeing of students
- provides pastoral care services and strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the school community.
Current Funding
Participation in the Commonwealth-funded program is voluntary, and 613 Victorian schools currently receive funding of $20,280 per year (or $24,336 per year for remote schools) to engage a chaplain to provide a minimum of 400 hours of chaplaincy services per year.
The Commonwealth has extended the program for another four years, from 2019 to 2022.
Schools that currently receive funding have been offered an extension to their existing 2015-2019 agreements for one year, until 31 December 2020. All schools interested in obtaining funding for 2021 and 2022 are encouraged to apply using the process outlined above.
Schools receiving funding are advised to read the
frequently asked questions (docx - 693.33kb)
For information about funding chaplains from school funds or a community partnership, see:
School Policy and Advisory Guide: Chaplaincy
2021 and 2022 funding round
In 2020 an application process was open to all schools to receive funding in the 2021 and 2022 school years. This process is now complete and all schools that applied have been advised of application outcomes.
For enquiries, contact:
student.engagement@education.vic.gov.au.
Chaplains
A chaplain funded via the NSCP is defined as an individual who:
- is recognised by the school community and the appropriate governing authority for the school as having the skills and experience to deliver school chaplaincy to the school community; and
- is recognised through formal ordination, commissioning, recognised religious qualifications or endorsement by a recognised or accepted religious institution; and
- meets the NSCP's minimum qualification requirements.
- Subject to compliance with the NSCP requirements, NSCP chaplains may be of any faith or of no faith.
The NSCP defines pastoral care as 'the practice of looking after the personal needs of students, not just their academic needs, through the provision of general spiritual and personal advice.'
For information about funding chaplains from school funds or a community partnership, see: Policy and Advisory Library - Chaplaincy