JavaScript is required

National Student Wellbeing Program

On this page

Date:
6 Jan 2023

NSWP guidance is for both government and non-government schools.

The National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) provides:

  • pastoral care services
  • strategies that support the wellbeing of the broader school community.

NSWP services must be developed in consultation with school staff, the principal and school community.

Program Guidance

National Student Wellbeing Program

The National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) provides:

  • pastoral care services
  • strategies that support the wellbeing of the broader school community.

NSWP services must be developed in consultation with school staff, the principal and school community.

The NSWP defines pastoral care as the practice of supporting the general wellbeing of students and the school community.

Participation by schools and students in the NSWP is voluntary.

The NSWP is a complementary service to those provided by qualified specialists. The NSWP is not:

  • a specialist service that provides counselling, mental health, psychological or allied health services
  • a religious program. It does not provide religious instruction or religious counselling.

This program replaces the National School Chaplaincy Program.

Funding arrangements

Eligible school campuses receive up to $20,280. Eligible schools in remote or very remote areas will receive up to $24,336. The Accessibility and Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA+) defines remote and very remote.

Schools that were funded by the National School Chaplaincy Program in 2022 were funded by the NSWP in 2023.

Following a competitive application process, 613 school campuses have been allocated funding for 2024 to 2027. See Participating schools below.

Schools can also engage:

  • chaplains through their own funds or a community partnership, using the Chaplaincy Policy
  • student wellbeing officers through their normal employment practices.

For enquiries, contact: student.engagement@education.vic.gov.au.

Roles and responsibilities

Through the NSWP, schools can engage a chaplain or a student wellbeing officer.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers may be of any faith or of no faith.

Roles

Chaplains

A chaplain is an individual who:

  • has the skills and experience to deliver chaplaincy services to the school community
  • has the endorsement of a religious institution
  • meets the NSWP’s minimum qualification requirements.

A title other than ‘chaplain’ can be used to reflect different religious affiliations.

A religious institution means an entity that:

  • operates under the auspices of any faith
  • provides activities, facilities, programs or services where adults interact with children.

Student Wellbeing Officer

A student wellbeing officer is an individual who:

  • has the skills and experience to deliver student wellbeing services to the school community
  • meets the NSWP’s minimum qualification requirements.

A title other than ‘student wellbeing officer’ may be used as appropriate.

Responsibilities

NSWP chaplains and student wellbeing officers may:

  • work as a member of the school’s wellbeing team in the delivery of student wellbeing services
  • contribute to improving student engagement and connectedness
  • contribute to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment
  • provide pastoral care and guidance to students
  • operate within the school community and with external providers.

The roles and responsibilities of NSWP chaplains and student wellbeing officers could include:

  • supporting student attendance, engagement and mental health
  • supporting students in difficult or challenging situations such as during times of grief
  • providing students with referrals to specialist services when required
  • providing pastoral care and guidance to students about values and ethical matters
  • supporting physical, emotional, social and intellectual development and wellbeing of students
  • supporting an environment of cooperation and respecting a diversity of cultures and traditions.

NSWP chaplains and student wellbeing officers must not:

  • proselytise, evangelise or advocate for a particular religious view or belief
  • enter into compromising situations where a student, chaplain or student wellbeing officer may seek to keep inappropriate behaviour confidential
  • behave in a way that impacts the delivery of their services under the program, including in a private capacity
  • perform professional or other services for which they are not qualified
  • visit students’ homes to work with students and their families
  • conduct religious services or ceremonies or lead in religious observances
  • provide religious instruction or religious counselling to students
  • promote external events run by religious organisations. For example, camps, excursions, youth conferences, guest speaker presentations etc.
  • become involved in parenting disputes, family law matters or other legal proceedings.

Code of conduct

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must sign a code of conduct.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must follow:

  • these guidelines
  • all State and Commonwealth legislation
  • all relevant government/non-government school policies.

This includes legislation and policies for:

  • child protection
  • mandatory reporting
  • privacy
  • anti-discrimination
  • human rights
  • creation, retention, management and disposal of student records.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must demonstrate a high standard of professional conduct. When carrying out their responsibilities, they must:

  • follow the child safety code of conduct and policies of the school
  • respect the authority of the school principal (or delegate) and governing body and work in consultation with them
  • contribute to a supportive, safe, inclusive and caring learning environment within the school
  • respect other people’s views, values and beliefs, including cultural and religious perspectives
  • support students irrespective of their religious beliefs, or lack of religious beliefs
  • discourage any form of harassment or discrimination
  • refer students to services that will support the student’s needs, values and beliefs
  • provide unbiased information about support and services available in the broader community
  • be approachable to all students, staff and members of the school community
  • not seek to impose beliefs or persuade students towards a particular set of beliefs
  • avoid unnecessary physical contact with students
  • keep appropriate records to document the support provided to students/school
  • share information in line with relevant policies and legislation ensure the school can meet its duty of care obligations to students.

Position description

A standard position description for chaplains and student wellbeing officers is available.

Qualification and training

Mandatory requirements

All chaplains and student wellbeing officers must hold a valid employee working with children clearance.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must comply with the school’s child safety screening requirements.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must:

Minimum qualifications

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must hold a Certificate IV equivalent or higher qualification that includes competencies in:

  • mental health and making appropriate referrals, and
  • providing pastoral care or working with youth.

Qualifications in the Community Services Training Package that meet these requirements are:

Information on training providers for these courses can be found at www.training.gov.au.

Other qualifications in psychology or social work may be suitable. See:

Training requirements

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must undertake:

NSWP providers and schools must ensure that chaplains or student wellbeing officers receive professional development relevant to their role.

Participating schools

Schools participating in the NSWP are listed below.

Governance and administration

The NSWP is an Australian Government Program. The Victorian Government administers the program through a cross sectoral panel comprising:

  • the Victorian Department of Education
  • Catholic Education Commission of Victoria
  • Independent Schools Victoria.

The terms of reference of the NSWP cross sectoral panel are available

The NSWP Federation Funding Agreement describes how the program is managed.

Further information

For further information about the NSWP, you can contact the Department of Education by email at student.engagement@education.vic.gov.au.

Engaging a chaplain or student wellbeing officer

National Student Wellbeing Program

Overview

From 1 January 2023, all Victorian schools participating in the National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) can engage a chaplain or student wellbeing officer.

Government schools

Government schools can:

Education in government schools is required by law to be secular. Government schools engaging a chaplain must do so through an NSWP provider.

Administration fees charged by NSWP providers should be listed in the service agreement with the school. It is up to schools to secure value for money for the services they purchase.

Non-government schools

Non-government schools can:

  • employ a chaplain or student wellbeing officer; or
  • contract a chaplain or student wellbeing officer through an NSWP provider.

Extending existing school roles

Schools can use NSWP funding to extend existing roles. Schools must be able to show a net increase in the provision of wellbeing services to students and the school community.

The extended role must complement the role of a chaplain or student wellbeing officer under the NSWP. The person appointed to the role must also meet the NSWP qualification and training requirements.

For example, - a school has a part-time student wellbeing officer. The school can use NSWP funding to increase the time fraction of that role. The student wellbeing officer will also need to meet the NSWP qualification and training requirements.

NSWP providers

NSWP providers recruit, employ, train, supervise and support chaplains and student wellbeing officers that they employ.

NSWP providers collaborate with principals to:

  • select a chaplain or student wellbeing officer
  • create a work plan that describes the duties that the chaplain or student wellbeing officer will undertake.

NSWP providers pay the salary and employment costs for chaplains and student wellbeing officers.

NSWP providers must enter into an agreement with the Department of Education to deliver the NSWP in Victorian schools.

The department does not endorse any specific NSWP provider.

NSWP service providers

NSWP service providers
Word 29.4 KB
(opens in a new window)
NSWP service providers
PDF 70.33 KB
(opens in a new window)

The choice of NSWP provider is a matter for the school. Schools do not need to use the same NSWP provider each year. Schools should compare NSWP provider fees and services to secure value for money.

Any organisation that wants to provide NSWP services in Victoria can express interest by sending an email to student.engagement@education.vic.gov.au.

Funding, reporting and accountability

Funding for schools is provided to:

  • government schools by the Department of Education
  • Catholic schools by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria
  • independent schools by Independent Schools Victoria.

Schools and NSWP providers must provide reports to meet reporting requirements upon request. Schools and NSWP providers must provide reports to the Department to ensure chaplains and student wellbeing officers are operating in accordance with the service agreements and program guidelines.

Withdrawal

A school can withdraw from the NSWP at any time. To withdraw, notify the Department of Education by sending an email to student.engagement@education.vic.gov.au.

See: Use of NSWP Funds

Operational Guidance

National Student Wellbeing Program

Departmental policies and guidelines

Government schools

NSWP chaplains and student wellbeing officers must follow school policies. These are published on the school’s website and in the Policy and Advisory Library.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers should be aware of and follow policies in areas such as:

  • Student health, safety, wellbeing and engagement. For example student health and wellbeing, child safety, duty of care, students at risk and bullying.
  • School operations and student administration. For example, complaints, conflicts of interest, decision-making for students, privacy and information sharing, records management and student support.

If there is a conflict between a school or departmental policy and any other policy, Department of Education policies in the Policy and Advisory Library will apply.

Non-government schools

NSWP chaplains and student wellbeing officers must follow their school’s policies. For example, child safety, privacy and information sharing and records management.

Provision of services

Schools must use NSWP funding to provide wellbeing services that meet NSWP objectives.

Services should be provided:

  • during the school term
  • within school hours or at school-related activities approved by the school.

Each school determines how many hours of service their chaplain or student wellbeing officer provides each term.

Camps and excursions

Government Schools

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers may attend camps and excursions organised by the school. They can be included in supervision ratios for excursions.

See the Department’s Staffing and Supervision policy for further detail.

Non-Government Schools

Non-government schools should seek advice about chaplains and student wellbeing officers attending camps and excursions consistent with their employment or contractual arrangements.

Events provided by NSWP providers

External events conducted by NSWP providers during school holidays cannot be considered part of chaplaincy or student wellbeing services. For example, camps or conferences.

If chaplains or student wellbeing officers attend such events in a private capacity, they must not conduct themselves in a manner which impacts the delivery of their services under the NSWP.

Participation by students in the NSWP is voluntary.

Schools must obtain written consent from a parent, carer or the student (if an adult or mature minor) before services are provided.

See:

A NSWP consent form is available to support schools.

Translated parent consent forms will be available during Term 1, 2023.

It is not mandatory to use this consent form. Existing consent forms used for student wellbeing services may also be appropriate. When providing consent, parents, carers and students must be informed about:

  • the voluntary nature of the services
  • the nature of the service to be provided
  • the role of the chaplain or student wellbeing officer
  • the type of information to be collected and reasons for its collection
  • how information will be stored
  • how information may be disclosed
  • how the person providing the information can access or update the information provided.

Consent can be obtained at the beginning of each school year or on each occasion of service as appropriate.

Non-government schools can:

  • use the consent form and procedure outlined above
  • use a consent form provided by their sector authority
  • use a consent form of their own that aligns with the requirements above.

Child protection reporting obligations

Government schools

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers are in frequent contact with students. They are well placed to observe when a student appears to be at risk of abuse or neglect.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must comply with mandatory reporting obligations under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must follow the:

The Department of Education provides mandatory reporting training for chaplains and student wellbeing officers in all sectors.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must complete this training every year.

Non-government schools

Non-government schools should follow the child safety and reporting procedures established by their school.

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers in non-government schools must complete mandatory reporting training every year.

Information, record keeping and reporting policies

Government schools

Chaplains and student wellbeing officers must follow school and department policies about:

Non-government schools

Catholic and independent schools should follow the procedures established by their respective sectors.

Students in Catholic and independent schools can apply for access to student records directly from the school.

NSWP Forms

Optional forms to manage referral and intake process and case noting are available:

Complaints

Government schools

Complaints must be managed in line with the department’s Complaints Policy.

Complaints about the following issues must be referred to the department for advice:

  • alleged serious misconduct
  • unsatisfactory performance
  • sexual harassment
  • misuse or inappropriate disclosure of personal information

For more information, see: Reportable Conduct.

Records of all complaints must be held securely at the school with restricted access.

Non-government schools

In non-government schools, the school’s complaints procedures must be followed.

Catholic schools must follow their approved complaints processes and refer complaints to their Victorian Catholic Education Office:

  • Metropolitan Catholic schools must refer complaints to the Catholic Education Office Melbourne, Professional Conduct, Ethics and Investigations Unit
  • Schools in Sale, Ballarat and Sandhurst must refer complaints to the Catholic Education Offices in those dioceses.

Records of all complaints must be held at the school.

Use of NSWP funds

Schools must use NSWP funds in the year for which they are provided. Schools cannot roll over funds.

Funding provided by the NSWP contributes to the cost of the chaplaincy or student wellbeing service. It may not cover the entire cost of the service. Schools may need to contribute their own funds.

Schools can purchase extra services using their own funds.

Schools should plan for staff vacancies or leave arrangements to ensure funding is used. For example:

  • if a school cannot fill a role across four school terms, the school could provide increased hours across fewer terms
  • if a chaplain or student wellbeing officer is on extended leave, services could be varied to provide the agreed amount of service.

If a school withdraws from the NSWP, any unused funding must be returned.

The NSWP cross-sectoral panel may be able to reallocate funding to another eligible school that did not receive funding.

Local Support Committees

There is no requirement for schools or NSWP providers to establish local support committees for the NSWP.

In many cases, existing student wellbeing committees may be able to support the role of the chaplain or student wellbeing officer.

Schools may create a local support committee if needed. If a support committee is created it should operate within the established governance structures of the school.

Back to top