National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) formerly National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP)

On 16 June 2022, the Australian Government announced that they would expand the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) program to allow schools to choose either a professionally qualified student wellbeing officer or a chaplain. The NSCP will be known as the National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) from 2023 onwards.

The new funding agreement and schedule are currently being negotiated between the Commonwealth and the States with an expected completion date of November 2022. 

For the 2023 school year, NSWP funding will roll over to schools receiving NSCP funding in 2022. In 2023 all schools will be invited to apply to participate in the NSWP from 2024 to 2027.

The Government is proposing, at a minimum, the following terms for participation in the NSWP:

• participation by schools and students is voluntary
• schools can choose either a chaplain or student wellbeing officer
• chaplains and student wellbeing officers may be of any faith
• chaplains and student wellbeing officers are not permitted to proselytise and must respect, accept and be sensitive to other people's views, values, and beliefs
• chaplains and student wellbeing officers must comply with national, state and territory laws and policies about child protection matters
• chaplains and student wellbeing officers must have relevant and valid state and territory working with children or vulnerable person checks or a national police check
• chaplains and student wellbeing officers must meet minimum qualification requirements of a Certificate IV qualification or equivalent with competencies in mental health and making appropriate referrals
• chaplains and student wellbeing officers must complete the eSafety cyberbullying  schools will be eligible to receive up to $20,280 in financial assistance per annum ($24,336 for schools in remote/very remote areas)    

AISWA will notify schools when further information becomes available and applications for 2024 - 2027 funding open.

If you have any queries regarding the NSWP, please contact Nicole Brown, Wellbeing Consultant nbrown@ais.wa.edu.au or Sue Mulholland Administrative Support Officer smulholland@ais.wa.edu.au 

Resources

General Requirments for Accessing NSCP Funding 2019 - 2022_0.pdf

Complaints Process NSCP 2019 - 2022_0.docx

Complaint Form NSCP 2019-2022 _0.docx

eSafety Training for National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) Chaplains

Cyberbullying Refresher Training

FAQ for NSCP Funded Chaplains

FAQ for Schools

2022 - 2023 NSWP (NSCP) - Participating Schools