Any adult member of a recognised Christian church can apply to become an SRE volunteer. In practice, most providers look for people who are engaged in their local church, have a genuine love for children, and are willing to commit to weekly lessons for at least one school term. You do not need a teaching qualification — the curriculum does most of the heavy lifting.
Who Can Volunteer?
What Training Is Required?
Every SRE volunteer must hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC), which is free for volunteers in NSW. Beyond that, each provider has its own training pathway. Most Anglican and evangelical providers require a one- or two-day training day covering child safety, classroom management, lesson delivery, and the theological content of the curriculum. Training is usually free and can be done on a weekend.
What Does the Weekly Commitment Look Like?
Most SRE slots are 30 minutes, once per week. Volunteers are expected to arrive a few minutes early, deliver the lesson, and leave promptly so the classroom teacher can resume. Lesson preparation typically takes 15–20 minutes per week using the provided curriculum materials — there's no need to write your own content from scratch. Many volunteers find it the most energising 30 minutes of their week.
How to Get Started
Contact your local SRE provider (usually the diocesan or denominational education office) or speak to your pastor. They will connect you with your local school's SRE coordinator. The school will then arrange a time slot and class placement. Many volunteers are surprised by how quickly relationships form with students — children remember their SRE teachers for years.
