The National School Chaplaincy Program supports schools and their communities to establish school chaplaincy and pastoral care services, or to enhance existing services.

This voluntary program assists schools and their communities to support the spiritual wellbeing of students. This may include support and guidance about ethics, values, relationships, spirituality and religious issues, the provision of pastoral care and enhanced engagement with the broader community.

In line with the Government’s budget commitment, from 2012-2014 up to 1,000 additional schools will be provided with funding to support chaplaincy or pastoral care services.

This funding will be made available to schools, including in regional, remote and disadvantaged locations most in need of chaplaincy or pastoral care services.

This funding is in addition to the funding announced by the Australian Government in August 2010 that will extend approximately 2,700 schools, currently funded under the Chaplaincy Program, to 2014.

A two stage consultation process was conducted in 2010 and 2011, the results of which will be made publicly available in the near future.

National School Chaplaincy Program fact sheet.

Commonwealth Ombudsman’s Report

The Commonwealth Ombudsman’s report into the Administration of the National School Chaplaincy Program was released on 26 July 2011. DEEWR is in broad agreement with all of the Ombudsman’s recommendations and is taking them into account as it continues its preparations for the implementation of the budget commitment.

High Court Challenge

Mr Ron Williams has brought an action in the High Court of Australia against the Commonwealth, and other parties, challenging the Constitutional validity of the National School Chaplaincy Program.

The Department is defending the program on behalf of the Commonwealth and the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth.

The Full Bench of the High Court is hearing the case on 9, 10 and 11 August 2011 in Canberra. The Department is unable to estimate when the Court may hand down its decision.

The High Court is being asked to decide:

1. whether the Commonwealth has the executive power under the Constitution to provide the National School Chaplaincy Program;
   
2. if the funds used to pay for the program have been properly appropriated in the annual budget legislation; and
   
3. if funding the program amounts to a breach of the “religious test” limb of section 116 of the Constitution, which states
   no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.

The Commonwealth Solicitor-General, Mr Stephen Gageler SC, will argue the case for the Commonwealth and Minister.

The program continues in respect of currently funded chaplaincy services.