NATIONAL SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY PROGRAMME 2015–18
APPLICATION PROCESS
What is the National School Chaplaincy Programme (NSCP)?
The NSCP is a four-year Commonwealth Government-funded programme for the employment
of chaplains in schools. From 2015–18 the NCSP will provide funding to Victorian schools
(Government, Catholic and Independent) to support the provision of chaplaincy services
in Australian schools.
The aim of the NSCP is to support the emotional wellbeing of students by providing pastoral care
services and strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the broader school community.
Victoria has established guidelines for delivering the NSCP that are consistent with all relevant
State laws and policies. These guidelines can be found at
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/health/Pages/NSCPchaplaincy.aspx.
What is the NSCP definition of a chaplain?
The NSCP defines a chaplain 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.
What are the NSCP’s minimum qualification requirements for a chaplain?
NSCP’s minimum qualification requirements are either:
 a Certificate IV in Youth Work; or
 a Certificate IV in Pastoral Care; or
 an equivalent qualification (as determined by the States) that must include competencies
in ‘mental health’ and ‘making appropriate referrals’.
What do chaplains do?
Chaplains support the emotional wellbeing of students by providing pastoral care services and
strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the broader school community. They work
closely with wellbeing and allied health members in schools to support students and their
educational outcomes, staff, families and the wider school community.
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.’
Who can apply?
All Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools can apply for funding.
How much funding is available?
Funding of up to $20,000 per school is available each year for metropolitan schools. Funding of up
to $24,000 per school is available for rural and remote schools. The maximum funding for eligible
government schools with more than four campuses is $80,000 per year.
How do schools apply for funding?
Step 1: Read the Victorian guidelines for the NCSP at:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/health/Pages/nscpchaplaincy.aspx.
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Step 2: The school leadership team must determine the need for a chaplain and define the role
the chaplain will undertake in the school. The NSCP Guidelines for Victorian Schools
provides a list of roles and responsibilities that can be undertaken by a chaplain.
Step 3: The school may wish to seek advice from an agency to discuss the engagement
of a chaplain prior to submitting an application for funding.
Step 4: The school should review the criteria below and prepare a funding application that
addresses:
 the need for a chaplain in the school and community, including details about any
specific needs of the student cohort
 the role the chaplain will undertake
 the contribution the chaplain will make in terms of achievement, engagement and
wellbeing
 how the chaplain will work as part of the school’s wellbeing team
 what other supports are available to the school.
Step 5: Complete the application online at: https://deecd.wufoo.com/forms/national-schoolchaplaincy-programme-victoria/. Applications will be acknowledged via email.
To assist schools in preparing their submissions, a Word version of the application form
is available at:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/principals/health/Pages/NSCPchaplaincy.aspx.
How will applications be assessed?
Applications for funding will be assessed against criteria which have been established by a panel
of representatives from the Government, Independent and Catholic school education sectors.
The criteria are:
 demonstrated need
 integration of chaplain with school’s wellbeing team
 availability of other wellbeing services
 whether a school has an existing chaplaincy service.
Which applications will not be considered?
Applications which:
 are incomplete
 do not address the selection criteria
 are submitted after 5 pm on 21 November 2014
 seek retrospective funding
 are prepared by agencies on behalf of the school.
Who will receive the funding?
Following the application process, funding will be provided directly to eligible schools.
 Government schools are required to engage a chaplain through a provider that offers
chaplaincy services.
 Catholic and independent schools may engage the services of a chaplain through a provider
that offers chaplaincy services or through direct employment as appropriate.
 Schools should enter into an appropriate service contract for such services. A template for the
engagement of chaplains will be provided in due course.
When do applications open and close?
Applications open on 5 November 2014 and close at 5 pm on 21 November 2014.
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When will schools be notified if their application for funding has been successful?
Schools will be notified by email about the outcome of their funding application in December 2014.
If successful, what are schools required to do?
Successful schools are expected to participate in the NSCP for four years (2015–18). If schools
withdraw from the program, funding may be reallocated to other eligible schools. Schools
must ensure the following conditions are met:
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participation by students is voluntary
chaplains may be from any faith
chaplains must not proselytise; they must respect, accept and be sensitive to the views, values
and beliefs of the school community
chaplains must comply with all State laws and policies (including but not limited to child
protection matters)
chaplains must meet minimum qualification requirements
schools will be expected to report on outcomes each year to meet State and Commonwealth
reporting requirements.
From where can I obtain further information?
You can email your questions to student.engagement@edumail.vic.gov.au.
Privacy Statement
Information collected in the application form will be used to administer the NSCP in Victoria.
The information may also be used for research and evaluation of the Programme. Personal contact
details collected in the application form may be used in future correspondence with the school.
The Department will disclose personal information as part of the program assessment process
where it will be used to assess your application.
The Department may provide information to the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria,
Independent Schools Victoria or media organisations about successful application(s), including the
names of schools.
The Department will not otherwise use or disclose personal information collected in this application
form unless authorised or required by law.
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