Targeted Programs

Discover more about specially targeted programs that are boosting our educational resources and initiatives to benefit Catholic students.

The Australian Government and NSW Government provide financial assistance to schools through the funding of specially targeted programs.

  • We apply for targeted program funding on behalf of all schools in the NSW Catholic Schools System (NSWCSS) and the majority of Catholic independent schools.
  • We distribute the funding to the participating schools.
  • Schools are responsible for the delivery of the program in accordance with the government’s requirements.
  • When the targeted program finishes, either the Diocesan Schools Office (DSO) or the individual Catholic independent schools must provide a report about the delivery and financial performance of the program.
  • Following on from this process, many of the targeted programs will require audited financial information to be acquitted to the respective government.

The following targeted programs are actively boosting our educational resources and initiatives to benefit Catholic students.

Two students holding sports balls smiling on the sports field.

National Student Wellbeing Program

The National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) is an initiative funded by the Australian Government through chaplaincy and student wellbeing services.

  • Previously called the National School Chaplaincy Program, the purpose of the NSWP is to support the wellbeing of the broader school community.
  • It provides pastoral care services and strategies developed in consultation with the community, school staff and Principals.
  • We are the Authority for the sector responsible for managing funding.
  • The program is voluntary.

In 2023, 127 NSW Catholic Schools System schools and Catholic independent schools participated.

Countering Violent Extremism

The NSW Government has an action plan on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE).

The key objectives are to:

  • reduce risk
  • ensure safety
  • promote social cohesion.

Social cohesion is promoted by:

  • building cohesive and respectful school communities
  • identifying and supporting students vulnerable to high-risk behaviour
  • managing incidents and effective recovery.

Our key achievements during 2023 included:

  • increased awareness of the issue of anti-social, violent and extremist student behaviour in Catholic schools
  • encouraging school leaders to access the Department of Education’s (DOE) School Incident Report and Support Hotline to report high-risk student behaviour (reducing the risk to other students and staff)
  • 2 high-level expert briefings for Catholic school and system leaders.

The expert briefings:

  • highlighting the DOE’s CVE capability and offerings
  • responding to the impact of global events on social cohesion in schools
  • developing CVE e-learning modules and resources that will be rolled out to the Catholic education sector during 2024.

Road Safety Education Program

The road toll is far too high.

We all want to reduce the number of children and young people in traffic accidents.

  • That’s the focus of delivering the Road Safety Education Program (ROADS).
  • The program is funded by Transport for NSW.

The ROADS program provides limited funding for:

  • dedicated diocesan adviser salaries (70% of the grant)
  • as well as funds towards teacher professional development (30% of the grant) in road safety education.

Special Needs Support Program

A young boy with an intellectual disability learning to write.

Some students need more help.

Funding for the Special Needs Support Program helps meet the costs of providing assistance to students with learning difficulties or social/emotional issues.

These include:

  • students with disabilities
  • Indigenous students
  • isolated students
  • refugee students 
  • students with low socio-economic status.

Student Wellbeing Boost

The Australian Government’s Student Wellbeing Boost (the Boost) was a response to Covid.

  • The shutdowns and lockdowns of schools through the pandemic had a greater effect on some students than others.
  • The Boost provides one-off funding for extra mental health and wellbeing resources and initiatives.

Through the Boost, schools could buy new:

  • programs
  • services
  • resources
  • or use funds to supplement existing initiatives that supported the specific needs of their students.

Vocational Education and Training in Secondary Schools

Two students building a dog house in woodwork.

We need more vocational education in schools.

That’s what the Vocational Education and Training in Secondary Schools (VETSS) program supports.

This includes:

  • the adoption of school-based apprenticeships
  • supports the training of VETSS teachers in schools by:
  • maintaining and upgrading their VETSS teaching qualifications and industry accreditation.

Part of the VETSS program supports TAFE and other Registered Training Organisations (RTO) to deliver HSC vocational courses.

To assist diocesan RTO to comply with the standards when qualification training packages are updated, we coordinate training for teachers who:

  • will begin delivering VETSS courses
  • are maintaining their VETSS qualifications.

Training occurs each semester, and entry is limited to teachers who meet the required benchmarks.

More information

Our Learning and Wellbeing pages have more information about each of these targeted programs.

Visit Learning and Wellbeing