The Salvation Army Booth College

• DurationStudents will have a maximum of two years to complete 14 units of study, plus 140 hours of work placement and 10 hours of Pastoral Supervision.
• Date2025 Enrolment Intakes:
  Melbourne: 17 February - 3 March
  Course start date: 24 March
  
  Sydney: 16 June - 30 June
  Course start date: 21 July
• Delivery ModeFace to face workshops + online classes + self-directed online learning + work placement
• Trainer(s) Major Tracey English
• Fees$4,900 AUD
  This fee includes all learning and assessment resources, work placement assistance, workshop attendance, online support and assessment services for a period of two years.

Course fee reductions and subsidies may also apply for personnel of The Salvation Army. More information is available in the Personnel Development Policy here.

The 11070NAT Diploma of Chaplaincy has been developed by The Salvation Army to equip Chaplains in a variety of roles. This course is for any individual looking to train as a Chaplain; a vocation that meets people at their point of need and provides support.

Delivered via face-to-face workshops, online classroom sessions and self-directed online learning, the Diploma of Chaplaincy will empower you with pragmatic learning to pursue your commitment to serve in the ministry you are called to.

Who should considering this training?

In a chaplaincy role you often work with people who are experiencing times of crisis, grief and loss or have experienced a crucial life-changing incident. Engaging with such vulnerable people required sensitivity and the discerning application of extensive knowledge and skills. You will need to be able to work independently and self-manage your time, activities and wellbeing.

A Day in the Life of a Chaplain

Chaplains meet people at their point of need to provide support. To help you explore whether the life of a Chaplain is a good fit for you, watch the video below to hear a lived Chaplaincy experience.

Four Important Things to Know

1. You will attend face to face workshops

Students will attend scheduled workshops, as well as participate in online classroom sessions and self-directed online learning. Students will have a maximum of two years to complete this course. 

2. 140 hours of work placement is required to complete the Diploma of Chaplaincy.

To ensure you are well equipped for the role, this qualification also includes a mandatory 140 hours of work placement.

3. 10 hours of pastoral supervision is a requirement of this course.

Pastoral supervision (with a qualified supervisor) of 10 hours, at the student's own arrangement and expense, is required to complete this course.

4. Approximately 10 hours a week should be set aside for study.

We recommend students allocate a minimum of 10 hours per week to work through the Learner Guides, online activities and assessments.

Additional Information

Entry Requirements

The following entry requirements apply to this course. You will require:

- Biblical and theological qualifications at a Certificate IV level OR be able to demonstrate that you have a proficient level of biblical and theological knowledge.

- Pastoral supervision for 10 hours with a qualified supervisor at your own expense.

- Sufficient literacy skills to read and interpret the Bible, prayer books or other religious material.

- Sufficient digital literacy skills to undertake research and complete assessments online.

- A letter of sponsorship from your denominational senior clerical representative, endorsing your application for the course and confirming your engagement with the church/corps.

- To be over 18 years of age.

- Have current Working with Children Check documentation.

- Police Check with relevant authority.

This course is open to Australian residents. Unfortunately, we are not registered to accept international students. The eligibility of students will be confirmed during enrolment.  

Course Structure

The 11070NAT Diploma of Chaplaincy is a competency-based course which requires 14 units for the qualification (10 core units and 4 elective units).

Refer to the Units tab above for a full list of units available at Eva Burrows College for this course.

Work Placement

Whether you are already working as a Chaplain or are looking to move into the field, work placement will give you an invaluable opportunity to put your course theory into practice. Successful completion of this course requires 140 hours work placement in the chaplaincy field. It may be possible to undertake your placement on-the-job if you are working in a suitable role in the sector. If you are not currently working in the industry, you have the flexibility of identifying a placement or our Placement Officer can assist you to locate a suitable work placement. Due to the ever-changing demands placed on organisations it is not possible for the college to guarantee a suitable placement. For further information email the Course Coordinator. 

Pastoral Supervision

Working in the chaplaincy field may expose you personally to distressing situations, for example vehicle accidents with the emergency services, aggressive persons in correctional centres and victims of violence in the community. It is important that Chaplains have both formal support (work, pastoral supervision, EAPs, etc) and informal support (family, friends, faith group, etc) for the times when you may need assistance to recover. Therefore, successful completion of this qualification includes 10 hours of pastoral supervision (with a qualified supervisor) at the student’s arrangement and cost. Your trainer can provide guidance regarding accessing suitable pastoral supervision. 

Possible Fields of Work

Chaplains meet people at their point of need to provide support. This support can be anything from a chat about how things are going, to helping people through the death of a loved one. The role of the Chaplain can be quite broad with an emphasis on offering practical, emotional and spiritual support.

Some sectors Chaplains can find themselves in, providing support to individuals are prisons, emergency services, schools, aged care facilities, and rural areas.

Eva Burrows College is also proud to be one of the approved education providers for the Civil Chaplaincies Advisory Committees in NSW, an organisation that helps coordinate chaplains in Health Services, Corrective Services and Juvenile Justice.

Learn More

Ready to Apply?

To register your interest, email vtoenquiries@ebc.edu.au. The 2025 Enrolment Intakes for this course are:

- Melbourne: 17 February - 3 March

- Sydney: 16 June - 30 June

An online enrolment application link will be emailed to you once the intake opens.

Core

• CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide

• CHCCCS017 Provide loss and grief support

• CHCCOM002 Use communication to build relationships

• CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people

• CHCMHS001 Work with people with mental health issues

• CHCPAS002 Provide pastoral and spiritual care

• NAT11070001 Provide chaplaincy services in response to spiritual and religious needs

• NAT11070002 Apply theological concepts in the context of client’s needs and beliefs

• NAT11070003 Provide pastoral interventions to people experiencing crisis reactions

• NAT11070004 Implement holistic personal and professional development

Elective

• CHCAGE001 Facilitate the empowerment of older people

• CHCAGE005 Provide support to people living with dementia

• CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context

• CHCDFV001 Recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence

• CHCGRP002 Plan and conduct group activities

• CHCPAS001 Plan for the provision of pastoral and spiritual care (recommended)

• CHCYTH001 Engage respectfully with young people

One qualification – three pathways

Upon successful completion of this qualification, you will be equipped to work in a chaplaincy role and utilise a broad range of cognitive and advanced communication skills and relational skills to collaborate with others to meet their needs. You will be awarded a 11070NAT Diploma of Chaplaincy.

For information on this course or any other Vocational Training courses email vtoenquiries@ebc.edu.au