National School Wellbeing Program
Formerly National Schools Chaplaincy Program
The National School Wellbeing Program (NSWP) is an initiative funded by the Commonwealth Government to provide chaplaincy and pastoral care services in government, Catholic and independent schools throughout Australia. The purpose of the NSWP is to support the wellbeing of Australian school students through the provision of pastoral care services and strategies to support the wellbeing of the broader school community. These may include volunteering activities, breakfast clubs, excursions, lunchtime activities and parent/carer workshops.
Important changes to the program
There have been some important changes to the National Schools Chaplaincy Program. These changes are important for schools already participating and may also be of interest to schools that might want to apply to be part of the program in future years.
What’s changed?
In 2023, the program scope has been expanded to include a focus on wellbeing and to permit the engagement of wellbeing officers and/ or counsellors in addition to the engagement of Chaplains under the program, according to the needs of your school community.
From 2023, the program name has also changed to the National Schools Wellbeing Program (NSWP)
What funding will my school receive in 2023?
The Commonwealth has now confirmed that all schools that participated in and received funding in 2022 from, the NSCP have automatically been rolled over into the NSWP and will receive a similar amount of funding in 2023 as they did in 2022.
What are the professional learning expectations?
It is important to note the revision of the eSafety Commission training package in responding to and preventing cyberbullying. Until April 2023, the existing Professional Learning Package will continue to be available consisting of a 3-hour training package and a 1 hour refresher training package.
From April 2023, a new training package will be available consisting of a 2-hour training package. It is imperative that Student Wellbeing Officers/ Counsellors and/or Chaplains engaged as part of the NSWP undertake the new training within 3 months of commencing their services and refresh their training every 2 ½ years. Current available training dates are as follows:
Chaplains 3hrs
Chaplains 1hrs
How can my school participate in 2024 and beyond?
We understand that there will be an application and assessment process later in 2023 to identify schools that wish to participate in the NSWP from 2024 to 2027. This process will be open to all schools, including those who have participated in previous years as well as schools that have never previously participated.
As soon as there is more information about the timeline and the application process we will let schools know via our usual communication channels, including the AISNSW Chief Executive Update.
If you would like any further information please contact Michelle Hayman at AISNSW in Finance and Grant Administration.
