The National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) is a voluntary program in schools. The program supports schools to promote the wellbeing of students. 

This program is funded in South Australian schools through to 2022.

2019 to 2022 funding applications: closed

South Australian government schools

Applications for funding are closed.

Non-government South Australian schools

Non-government schools can contact their relevant association to find out more about the funding and application processes.

Funding assessment criteria  

When government schools apply for funding, the department assesses each application. Here are some examples of things that are considered:

• Measure of Scio-Economic Need (MOSEN) score.
• Level of existing wellbeing services at the school
• Remoteness of the school.
• Number of enrolled students.
• Statement of need provided by the principal that outlines the need of pastoral care services in school and the broader community.
• Evidence of ongoing community support for the NSCP service and pastoral care worker in the school.

Cyberbullying Professional Learning Package for NSCP pastoral care workers

All pastoral care workers must complete the the Cyberbullying Professional Learning Package. More information about this package is available from the Australian Government Department of Education website.

National School Chaplaincy Program – a background

The Australian Government provides $7.59 million each year to South Australian government, independent and Catholic schools for the NSCP through the project agreement. 

In South Australia, NSCP funded workers are called pastoral care workers. They can be of any faith.

Pastoral care workers are prohibited from proselytising under the project agreement. (Proselytising is defined as trying 'to persuade someone to share your beliefs, especially religious or political beliefs' - Collins Dictionary).

Each state is required to form a Cross Sector Panel to ensure the terms of the project agreement are met. 

The terms of reference defines the purpose and structure of the panel.

How the program works in government schools

You can find out how the program works in South Australian government schools can be found in the national school chaplaincy program procedure for schools. School principals, service providers and pastoral care workers should familiarise themselves with this document.

How schools can use funds

NSCP funding is paid directly to the service providers for hours of service delivered.

Government schools can use their:

• Resource Entitlement Statement (RES)
• South Australian Schools Investment Fund (SASIF) cash reserves.

They can use these funds to:

• purchase pastoral care services above the standard NSCP-funded hours
• pay for service provider fees, if any are charged.

Choosing a service provider

Funded schools can choose one of the existing service providers below to deliver pastoral care services in their school. They can also look at other organisations that meet the program's requirements.

• Centacare (Adelaide)
• Schools Ministry Group
• Uniting Country SA
• Your Dream School Programs.

What schools can ask about

As part of selecting a service provider, think about what your school needs.

Each service provider might have different:

• fee structures
• recruitment processes
• ways to deliver the program.

How to become a service provider

Organisations can contact the department at education.nscp@sa.gov.au about how to become a NSCP service provider.

Complaints management

The complaints management process for the NSCP in South Australian government schools is consistent with the department's complaints management process. A full description of this process for South Australian government schools is provided in the national school chaplaincy program procedure for schools.