Common Q & A's

Who are chappies?

School chaplains are in the prevention and support business: helping students find a better way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdown and loneliness to drug abuse, depression and suicide.

About Chappies

SU Qld Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to school communities. They are in the prevention and support business: helping students find a better way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdown and loneliness to drug abuse, depression and suicide. They provide a listening ear and a caring presence for kids in crisis and those who just need a friend. They also provide support for staff and parents in school communities.

Almost 50% of Qld state schools have a chappy...
That leaves over 600 state schools without a chappy!
SU Qld has placed chappies in 40% of all Queensland state primary schools and in 80% of all Queensland state high schools.
Right now, our chappies are serving over 330,000 Qld students

What do chappies do?

School chaplains run breakfast clubs, lunchtime clubs and craft groups, and organise games and visiting bands. Many chaplains are also involved in school activities such as camps, sports, induction programs, leadership programs, and school ceremonies.

Being a Chappy is more than just a normal, laidback 9–5 job. Some chappies work one day a week, while others work five days a week. So the job is quite varied. Here’s an example of a day in the life of Chappy Hannah...

For the past year, 25-year-old Hannah Male has shared the role of Chaplain at Kelvin Grove State College, Brisbane, with Jimmy Smith-Cottrell. Here's a typical day in the life of Chappy Hannah — when she’s not on a camp, or an excursion, or helping out on athletics day...

How are chappies paid?

In October 2007 the federal government began rolling out a $90 million, three-year National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP). The initiative enables state schools around Australia to apply for up to $20,000 per year to help support or initiate chaplaincy.

This program is only meant to be a contribution towards the costs of a chaplaincy service. To ensure local chaplaincy services remain sustainable, the support of local communities is vital. So to top up their wage, school chappies seek to fundraise amongst local supporters.

SU Qld supports the initiative by appointing, training and supporting school chaplains.

What schools are chappies in?

SU Qld has placed almost 500 chaplains in over 600 state schools across Queensland.

If your local State school does not have a chappy right now, you may want to help start a Chaplaincy Service in your school. For information on how to do this, email:

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for a position as a School Chaplain, visit: http://apply.su-chaplain.com