F.A.Q - Sunshine Coast Religious Instruction (RI)

Can I provide R.I. in the same school as I'm employed to teach / be a chaplain?

Legally there is no impediment to this arrangement. The Department of Education Policy Statement (FAQs Who can provide RI") says:

"Delivering RI is not part of a teacher's or chaplain's duties. However, if a chaplain or a teacher works part-time, they may choose to provide RI in their own time, outside of their scheduled work hours."

Employing bodies may prefer a degree of separation is maintained between your paid and volunteer roles to avoid a blurring of boundaries between the non-religious nature of teaching and chaplaincy and the faith-based teachings delivered in RI, but legally you are permitted to undertake both paid and volunteer roles in the same school.

Are there costs to being an R.I. volunteer?

CREP-SC delivers Religious Instruction (RI) training and program management services on behalf of partner churches through formal agreements. These services ensure that volunteers are well-equipped to represent their churches in local state schools, that programs are managed effectively within those schools, and that pastors' Form 1 responsibilities to their RI volunteers are being fulfilled with integrity.

Church Contributions and Responsibilities
Partner churches are invited to contribute annually toward the cost of training, equipping, and resourcing their RI representatives. This reflects the shared commitment to ministering to the local community through school-based RI.

Under Queensland Department of Education requirements, churches are responsible for:

Providing annual training to RI instructors.
Monitoring and reviewing RI program delivery.
Coordinating and managing RI activities in schools.

Churches may choose to outsource these responsibilities to CREP-SC - a specialist provider of RI services. This incurs an annual fee for existing instructors and a one-time onboarding fee for new instructors who receive intensive training and mentoring.

What’s Included
CREP-SC’s onboarding and annual service packages include:

Comprehensive training and mentoring.
Program oversight and coordination.
Access to a professionally developed and annually reviewed RI curriculum.
Support with compliance and reporting requirements.

This model ensures that volunteers are fully supported without bearing personal costs and churches are fully supported to uphold their legislative and Dept of Education RI Policy commitments, to quality RI delivery.

Who covers my insurance as a volunteer?

Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, religious instruction (RI) may be delivered in Queensland state schools during school hours by a minister of religion or their accredited representative, provided they have received approval from the school principal.

Church volunteers who deliver RI must:

Be nominated by their religious leader as accredited representatives.
Hold a current and valid Blue Card issued by Blue Card Services.
Be linked to their authorising church or faith group, which is responsible for:
Approving the RI program.
Ensuring the volunteer is trained and supported.
Maintaining insurance coverage for the volunteer

Work Cover Qld provides volunteer insurance to religious and not-for-profit organisations.