Schools use a range of approaches to support student wellbeing. These include classroom learning, wellbeing staff, school programs and department resources.
Schools may also choose to use external programs to meet the needs of their students and school community.
The Student Wellbeing external programs catalogue helps schools find wellbeing programs that have been quality assured by the department.
The catalogue includes programs that support students' wellbeing, learning and development. Programs are available across 4 themes: behaviour, sense of belonging, resilience, and respectful relationships and consent education.
The National Student Wellbeing Program is funded by the Australian Government.
The program helps schools support the wellbeing of students and the wider school community. Schools can do this through a school chaplain or student wellbeing officer.
The program replaced the National School Chaplaincy Program from 2023.
Schools can apply for funding to engage an approved provider to deliver chaplaincy or Student Wellbeing Officer services. Students can also choose whether to access the support available.
For more information about the program, please visit the National Student Wellbeing Program page.
The Wellbeing and Health In-reach Nurse Coordinator Program is a partnership between NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education.
Through the program, wellbeing nurses work in selected schools to support students and families with health and wellbeing concerns.
Wellbeing nurses help students and families access health services and support. They work closely with schools, health services and community organisations to help students get the support they need.
They are part of the school's broader wellbeing and learning support team and contribute to a whole-school approach to student wellbeing.
Wellbeing nurses typically work across all types of public schools, including primary, secondary, central, connected communities and schools for specific purposes. The roles are positioned to align with the Local Health District (LHD) that employs them.
For more information about the program, visit the NSW Health website.
The department works with a range of organisations to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.
Many organisations also provide programs and resources that help teachers, school staff, parents and carers understand and support children's mental health and wellbeing.
Learn more about the programs below.
Be You is a national initiative that helps schools and early childhood services support children's mental health and wellbeing.
It provides professional learning, tools and resources to help educators create safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments.
For more information, visit Be You.
NSW School-Link supports collaboration between schools, health services and community organisations to improve outcomes for children and young people.
The program helps schools connect students experiencing mental health concerns with appropriate services and support.
It also supports education and health professionals to work together to meet students' needs.
For more information, visit NSW Health.
