Living and working in Australia

A Rewarding Role: Working as a Chaplain in an Anglican school

Chaplains play an integral and varied role in the life of an Anglican school.

The Chaplain, along with the Principal, act as the spiritual leaders of the school. They play a key role in leading the faith, reason, worship, inclusion, character and service which express the Anglican identity of their schools.

The role of the Chaplain varies from school to school, from conducting Chapel and worship to pastoral care and wellbeing.

Anglican Schools Australia (ASA) values the work of Chaplains in our schools and seeks to provide encouragement, support and professional development.

ASA’s new Strategic Plan 2023-2027 outlines Supporting Chaplaincy as one of its four core activities.

While many Chaplains work as solo operators or in small teams in their School, there is a strong support network provided through both ASA and State-based networks.

ASA develops resources for Chaplains, including religious studies teaching resources, and provides support and networking opportunities both in person and online.  

A highlight is the annual ASA conference at which school Chaplains, Principals and senior academic and pastoral staff come together, alongside senior clergy and school governors, to gather in collegiality and explore new ideas.

Chaplains in Australian schools mirror the multicultural Australian community and hail from many parts of the world.

As well as recruiting our wonderful homegrown Chaplains, ASA undertakes annual recruitment visits to other parts of the world to engage with and interview Chaplains interested in working in Australian schools. 

Our Chaplains move to Australia for a variety of reasons, including adventure, lifestyle and of course the famous Australian weather!

We have welcomed many Chaplains from the United Kingdom over the years and are expanding our recruitment reach as far as Canada.

We welcome queries from clergy interested in working as a Chaplain in Australian Anglican schools to asa@anglicanschoolsaustralia.edu.au

ASA’s visit to Canada

The CEO will be visiting Canada in June 2023 and is keen to meet with Anglican clergy interested in working as Chaplains in Australian schools.

Meet the CEO in Canada:

      • Vancouver                Monday 26th June
      • Montreal                   Wednesday 28th June
      • Toronto                     Friday 30th June


To find out more, contact pa@ascschools.edu.au

I have served for many years in the Royal Navy as a chaplain, and as a School Chaplain in the UK and Australia. The Australian context presents the same challenges and opportunities as sector ministry elsewhere, but the weather is outstanding, and the lifestyle is awesome.

I feel enriched by the centrality of the Anglican focus in ASA Schools, and the desire of School leadership to place Christ at the centre of all we do.

Worship, learning and living are all conducted through an Anglican lens, and Anglican education has a long pedigree in Australia. It is exciting to be part of such a diverse and vibrant community.

The Reverend Canon James Tabor – Frederick Irwin Anglican School, Western Australia