Our Role

Learn about the role, functions and responsibilities of CSNSW.
Two students holding a cross in their hands.

What does CSNSW do?

The aim and mission of Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) is to support the Bishops of NSW in bringing to life the Church’s evangelising mission through our Catholic schools.

To achieve this mission, Catholic schools work to foster both educational excellence and deep faith development in our students in NSW Catholic schools by: 

  • creating vibrant communities of faith and learning
  • joining the ‘work of education with the explicit proclamation of the Gospel’ (Evangelii Gaudium, no.134) 
  • guiding our students to be good and compassionate citizens in society and preparing them for eternal life with God.

Our responsibilities

We act as:

  • the Approved System Authority (ASA) under Commonwealth and NSW legislation, responsible for distributing recurrent funding in excess of $3 billion each year
  • the Block Grant Authority under Commonwealth and NSW legislation, responsible for distributing capital funding
  • the designated non-government schools’ representative body for Catholic education in NSW
  • the peak advocate for Catholic education in NSW
  • the single approved registration authority for systemic Catholic schools in NSW

The full statement of the roles and responsibilities of CSNSW is available in our annual report.

Why was CSNSW established?

In 2016, following a review of the then ‘Catholic Education Commission New South Wales’ (CECNSW,) the Bishops agreed to establish a new governing body for NSW diocesan Catholic schools. This was based on the Bishops' express desire for a more appropriate, efficient, and transparent administration of Catholic schools in NSW. 

The new body better supports Catholic schools in meeting all their obligations and enhancing the delivery of Catholic education in NSW. The responsibilities and functions of CECNSW have now been transferred to this new entity: Catholic Schools New South Wales. 

How was CSNSW set up?

CSNSW is a company whose members are the eleven diocesan Bishops of NSW. Each Bishop is responsible for the CSA in his diocese. Collectively these systems are recognised by governments as the NSW Catholic schools system.

CSNSW derives its authority and mandate from the Catholic Bishops of NSW. In particular, a company Constitution and ‘Canonical Mandates’ from the Bishops of NSW outline the functions and authority of CSNSW.

The functions and responsibilities of CSNSW

Advocacy 

CSNSW presents a single voice advocating for and representing Catholic schools to state and federal governments, government agencies, the media, parents, and society. We are the designated Non-Government Representative Body (NGRB) for the sector. We advocate publicly for Catholic schools as an education choice by contributing to discourse and debate.

Our advocacy follows evidence-based research and is informed by extensive consultation throughout the sector.

The Bishop Members have tasked CSNSW to liaise with other key Church stakeholders in education, including:

  • the Council of Catholic School Parents
  • the Association of Catholic School Principals
  • the Federation of Religious Institute and Ministerial PJP Catholic School Authorities in NSW and ACT (known as the Catholic Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Persons NSW and ACT School Authorities from 1 January 2024)
  • the National Catholic Education Commission
  • other state and territory Catholic education commissions.

Catholic Employment Relations (CER)

CER is a professional service-based legal practice that provides advice on Australian law, human resources, employment and industrial relations to Catholic agencies

Read more about the role of CER.

Compliance

Governments continue to increase oversight and supervision of the Australian school sector, resulting in increased compliance and reporting obligations. To assist systems and schools, we develop policies and procedures so that they may fulfil their statutory and regulatory obligations including:

  • financial audits
  • reporting to the government
  • regulation of charities
  • other compliance requirements, especially those arising from the statutory roles of NESA. 

Working with systems and schools, CSNSW develops and shares policies and procedures for data collection, reporting, and audit requirements that apply to Catholic schools in NSW. 

We also offer an advisory service that covers existing, new, and revised regulatory obligations, including providing standardised documentation and training opportunities.

CSSA

CSSA is a division of CSNSW that provides high-quality trial Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations to schools in NSW, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), and international Secondary schools.

Previously operating as an unincorporated association under the name Catholic Secondary Schools Association, CSSA was integrated into CSNSW in January 2021 and is now a registered business name of CSNSW.

The CSSA trial HSC examination program has been in place since the HSC examinations were introduced in 1967.

Learn more about the CSSA.

Education policy and program management

CSNSW is the lead agency for engagement with governments and regulators on all education policy matters affecting Catholic schools in NSW. 

We provide expert policy advice to regulators and governments on behalf of the sector, as well as to Catholic School Agencies (CSAs). Policy areas include:

  • Preschool education to post-school pathways
  • Curriculum
  • Assessment
  • Aboriginal education
  • Vocational education
  • Diverse learning
  • Wellbeing
  • Safe and supportive schools
  • Teacher accreditation
  • School registration.

CSNSW is also the lead agency for coordinating Commonwealth and state ‘targeted’ programs, including:

  • Vocational Education and Training (VET) delivered to Secondary students
  • Road Safety
  • COVID Intensive Learning Support
  • Chaplaincy.

As the Non-Government Representative Body (NGRB) for the Catholic school sector, we also manage an extensive program of work to support the National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) through the Non-Government Reform Support Fund (NGRSF). 

NGRSF focus areas include: 

  • supporting students’ outcomes
  • supporting teachers, school leaders, and school improvement
  • improving governance and compliance
  • enhancing the national evidence base
  • supporting improved engagement and practices related to NAPLAN Online and the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on Students with Disability. 

To enhance the quality of education in Catholic schools and the preservation of Catholic identity, we work with all CSAs to engage with education policy reform and implementation. We do this through extensive advisory structures that include reference groups, time-limited working groups, and policy networks. 

We also publish discussion papers, policy documents, research briefs, benchmarking capability, and a broad offering of Professional Learning and training opportunities.

Efficiency and effectiveness

In line with constitutional obligations, CSNSW has developed and implemented a well-established framework for reporting on the educational effectiveness of Catholic schooling in NSW and provide regular State of the System reports to the Bishop Members. These reports are developed in consultation with CSAs.

Funding

We are responsible to the Australian and NSW governments for distributing recurrent funding to Diocesan School Systems (DSS) in accordance with the requirements of the Australian Education Act 2013 (Cth) and the Education Act 1990 (NSW). 

We work to ensure that systems comply with the terms and conditions of funding grants and adhere to not-for-profit guidelines. We also allocate and oversee funding for several targeted government programs in schools. 

CSNSW, in its role as the Catholic Block Grand Authority, receives and allocates capital funding from the Australian and NSW governments and works with schools and systems to ensure it is distributed, used, managed, and accounted for in compliance with government guidelines. We work closely with the 11 CSAs in all activities associated with applications for capital works funding.

Learn more about funding.

Registration

On 11 November 2022, the Bishop Members endorsed a proposal from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for CSNSW to operate as the single approved registration authority for systemic Catholic schools in NSW. 

After extensive consultation, the NSW Education Minister appointed CSNSW as the single Catholic registration system authority from 1 July 2023. This change aims to reduce the overall regulatory compliance burden on Catholic school systems and support sector unity. 

We will monitor schools’ and dioceses’ compliance through visits, audits, and training. In addition to receiving and evaluating schools’ registration applications, we are required to report annually to NESA. This report, which will be included in NESA’s annual report to the Registration and Accreditation Committee, will cover compliance with curriculum and policy requirements and outline actions and future directions taken by CSNSW.

Learn more about school registration.

CSNSW Sport Services

CSNSW Sport Services is a division of CSNSW and is responsible for sports pathways for the Catholic school sector. 

More than 22 sporting pathways are available for Catholic school students. The major sports pathways are: 

  • The NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC). It enables Catholic Secondary school students to compete at NSW All Schools Championships and events. 
  • The NSW Catholic Primary Schools (NSWCPS). It is comprised of MacKillop (southern NSW) and Polding (northern NSW). 

Learn about sporting opportunities in Catholic schools.

Our constitution

You can read and download our Constitution.