The Minister for Education must approve a religious persuasion before its specific beliefs and practices are taught in NSW public schools. Special religious education and special education in ethics providers are listed on the Department of Education website. To apply to be an approved provider visit criteria for approval and application process.

The Department of Education has Special Religious Education Procedures that stipulate the ongoing requirements of both providers and schools. All providers should be very familiar with the special religious education procedures.

To keep authorisation current an approved provider must provide the following through a written annual assurance to the department.

• Procedures to ensure compliance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
• Evidence that personnel approved to teach special religious education in public schools have obtained a NSW working with children check (WWCC) clearance prior to commencement of duties and copies of the clearances are kept on record.
• Only authorised materials and pedagogy will be used, taught sensitively and in an age appropriate manner.
• A copy of the age appropriate curriculum and/or the curriculum outline used in schools is provided to the public on a website.
• A system of accredited initial and ongoing training for volunteer teachers includes training in classroom management and child protection issues is in place.
• The provider is responsible for the link authorisation, training and support of its SRE volunteers.

The Department of Education has a dedicated SRE/SEE Officer for SRE enquiries from providers.

Special Religious Education and Special Education in Ethics Officer
02 7814 2353
srecontact@det.nsw.edu.au
seecontact@det.nsw.edu.au