Queensland state schools embrace a multitude of cultural, religious and non-religious beliefs. Under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, schools are to provide Religious Instruction (RI) if approached by a faith group seeking to provide RI and students of that faith attend the school.
RI informs students about the beliefs and values of a particular religion. It is delivered by volunteers of a faith group using instructional materials approved by that faith group. RI is required to be consistent with legislation and Department of Education policies and procedures.
All RI instructors must hold a blue card and participate in compulsory Student Protection and Code of Conduct training at the start of every school year. RI instructors are only entitled to deliver the RI programs outlined below. A school staff member will be present during the delivery of RI.
Participation in RI is not compulsory. Any student (except Prep students) may participate in RI if a parent has provided written instructions to the school.
Students are allocated to RI based on information provided by parents on the completed Application for student enrolment unless other written instructions have been provided to the school.
Note: This consent remains in effect unless the parent informs the school otherwise in writing.
A description of the Religious Instruction available is provided below.
Christian Religious Instruction
Participating faith groups: Local Christian Churches come together to offer Christian RI on a cooperative and non-denominational basis.
These local churches may, amongst others, include Anglican, Baptist, Christian Community Churches of Australia, Catholic, Cross Link, Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, Presbyterian and Uniting Churches.
Authorised programs
Year 1-6: God Space
For further detail on God Space, please click here
Aims and goals:
The aim of Christian RI is to inform students about the basic beliefs of the Christian faith from a non-denominational perspective.
Lesson structure: Lessons will typically run for 25 minutes per week.
Buddhist Religious Instruction
Participating faith groups: Buddhism
Authorised program: Buddhist Religious Instruction
Years 3-6
For further detail on Buddhist Religious Instruction through Buddhist Education Services for Schools' please click here
Aims and goals:
To develop happy and caring young people and to provide knowledge and skills to address life's challenges.
Lesson structure: Lessons will typically run for 25 minutes per week.
Parents will be advised of any changes to the RI and other instruction programs to ensure they are able to make an informed decision on their child's participation.
Religious Instruction commencement dates and participating Year levels will be communicated to all families at the commencement of each academic school year.
This document Religious Instruction Policy Statement is part of a suite of supporting documents provided by the Department of Education for use in Queensland state schools.
For further information please view the Religious instruction (RI) in Queensland state schools—frequently asked questions
Other instruction
Students who are not participating in RI will be provided with other instruction in a separate supervised location. Other instruction must relate to part of a subject area already covered in class and may include:
- personal research and/or assignments
- revision of class work such as creative writing or literacy and/or numeracy activities which could include online programs currently accessed by the students of that school
wider reading such as independent reading appropriate to the student