Celebrating culture, growing together
CSPD honours the heritage, cultures, and deep spiritual connection to Country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Across our 80 schools, Aboriginal education is part of everyday learning - through yarning spaces, cultural groups, and inclusive programs.
Our team at the Jarara Cultural Centre walks alongside students and their families offering support, understanding and a strong connection to community. Jarara provides a wide range of programs, including Personalised Learning Plans, wellbeing support, and opportunities like the Murama Youth Ambassador Program.
We are committed to ensuring access, inclusion, choice and affordability for all families who seek a Catholic education for their children.
Celebrating culture, growing together
Quality education for all
As part of an ongoing commitment to Reconciliation and Closing the Gap in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, CSPD is proud to offer fee-free education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families from 2026 (T&Cs apply).
Our Catholic schools provide the opportunity for all students to embrace a quality educational experience with the support of outstanding teachers, programs and extracurricular opportunities.
We employ skilled and caring teachers who are passionate about learning. Our schools have a religious foundation, ensuring children study in an environment supported by faith and learning.
Many people choose Catholic schooling for what kind of people their children become. Our schools nurture students to be great learners and good people who will make a meaningful impact on their communities.
Quality education for all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who attend any CSPD school are supported with the choice of a fee-free education from 2026 through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student School Fee Offering. Applications are now being accepted for 2026 and beyond for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
For eligibility and more information see the Terms and Conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the offering form cover all siblings enrolled at a CSPD school?
No, each child needs a separate offering form. Fill out one form for each child you wish to apply on behalf of.
Why is Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) doing this?
As part of an ongoing commitment to reconciliation and Closing the Gap in Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student School Fee Offering is one of the additional commitments CSPD has made on our reconciliation journey.
We are committed to ensuring access, inclusion, choice and affordability for all families who seek a Catholic education for their children.
Our Catholic schools provide the opportunity for all students to embrace a quality educational experience with the support of outstanding teachers, programs and extracurricular opportunities.
We employ skilled and caring teachers who are passionate about learning. Our schools have a religious foundation, ensuring children study in an environment supported by faith and values.
Many people choose Catholic schooling for what kind of people their children become. Our schools nurture students to be great learners and good people who will make a meaningful impact on their communities.
Across our 80 schools, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education is part of everyday learning - through yarning spaces, cultural groups, and inclusive programs.
Our passionate and dedicated team at the Jarara Cultural Centre offers empathy and understanding founded on their own deep personal connections to the community.
In 2025, CSPD has over 1200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, an increase of approximately 8% from the previous year.
This growth reflects the increasing confidence of families in our schools and the impact of our commitment to culturally responsive and inclusive education.
What kind of cultural support and help would my child receive at a CSPD school?
With our wrap-around support, students can reach for their educational and career goals with access to our dedicated yarning spaces, cultural groups and inclusive Aboriginal Cultural Programs.
An understanding of Aboriginal spirituality is incorporated into Religious Education programs, prayer and liturgy.
The Jarara Cultural Centre is accessible for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families. The dedicated Jarara team helps students through sharing culture, building cultural safety, and providing wellbeing support.
Cultural opportunities include Cultural Immersion Days, Sista Group, and attendance at the Murama Youth Summit.
How will the school fee offering work?
From 1 January 2026, CSPD will offer school fee-free opportunities for new and existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
How long will the offering be available?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families can opt-in for this student school fee offering from 2026 subject to Terms and Conditions. It will then be reviewed for extension at the end of the 2027 school year.
Who can apply for this support?
The invitation to take up this offering is open to all students of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identify as such. See our Terms and Conditions for more details.
What will the fee-free offering cover?
School-Based Fees and the Diocesan Fees (Building Levy and Diocesan Tuition Fee) will be free for new and existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Is there an income test to access this support?
There will be no income test for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to access fee-free enrolment at CSPD schools from 2026.
Can I apply for this fee offering and the Byallawa Scheme?
No, you can apply for either the fee offering or the Byallawa Scheme, but not both.
Will the offering form cover all siblings enrolled at a CSPD school?
No, each child needs a separate offering form. Fill out one form for each child you wish to apply on behalf of.
Will I be entitled to any back payments?
No, we do not offer retroactive payments. The 100% fee discount will be applied from the date stated on your letter of acceptance into the Student School Fee Offering.
Does my family need to be Catholic to attend a CSPD school?
It is not necessary to share the Catholic faith to apply for enrolment in CSPD schools. We warmly welcome all families into our schools. We do ask that families of other faiths are prepared to support and participate in the Catholic ethos and activities of the school.
Why doesn't this come into effect until 2026?
The enrolment period for CSPD schools begins in March for the following year. While enrolment applications are welcome at any time (where vacancies are available), launching the fee-free offering in 2026 will allow CSPD to share the exciting news with the community throughout 2025.
How do I access support sooner if my family is struggling to pay school fees now?
We encourage any family experiencing financial difficulties to reach out to their school office for a confidential conversation about the support available. We want to ensure that all families feel supported.
Will the fee-free model affect the quality of education?
Removing fees will not reduce student opportunities or school resources at any of our schools.
Our schools will continue to offer an exciting range of extracurricular opportunities including music, creative arts, public speaking and a variety of sporting opportunities. Our students will retain access to the latest learning resources and technology to enhance their learning.
How will this change impact CSPD schools’ class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios?
We consistently succeed in maintaining a high student-to-teacher ratio. This will not change.
How can I enrol my child or children at a CSPD school?
CSPD is now accepting enrolment applications, including for the 2026 enrolment year. If your family would like to join one of our school communities in 2025, enrolment applications are most welcome.
Request and complete an enrolment application from your preferred CSPD school and submit it to the school office as soon as possible. Applications will be processed and prioritised on receipt.
Please read the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Enrolment Policy prior to enrolment.
How can I take up this fee-free offering for my child or children at a CSPD school?
Families need to be enrolled at a CSPD school before they fill in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student School Fee Offering form.
Once completed, this form and any other relevant material should be returned to the school Principal or enrolment officer.
The school will send a letter to the family confirming that their child has been accepted for the offering.
Are there any exceptions or conditions?
The decision to enrol is based on the needs of the student. It is important to consider the readiness of a student to begin school and to give consideration to students who may require extra support.
Where enrolments exceed maximum student numbers, applicants will be placed on a waiting list.
Does a fee-free education still provide access to counselling, special education, education extension and other support services?
Yes. All existing support services in place will be retained.
How does this initiative support the Catholic faith?
In response to Bishop Vincent’s directive for schooling to be accessible for all, CSPD is committed to maximising the opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. In the spirit of the Gospel message of love and welcome, CSPD wants to ensure all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have the opportunity to enrol in local Catholic schools if they so choose.
Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is to improve the educational outcomes of their children and young people.
The application process
- Already enrolled
- Not yet enrolled
Already have an eligible child enrolled at a CSPD school?
- Simply fill in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student School Fee Offering form.
- Return the form and any other relevant material to the school Principal or School Enrolment Officer.
Already have an eligible child enrolled at a CSPD school?
Not yet enrolled your child at a CSPD school?
- Please speak to your preferred CSPD school about the enrolment process. Read CSPD’s Enrolment Policy here.
- Once enrolled, fill in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student School Fee Offering form.
- Return the form and any other relevant material to the school Principal or School Enrolment Officer.
Not yet enrolled your child at a CSPD school?
Families will be notified by mail once their application has been processed.
Download our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student School Fee Offering Form
Once you have a child enrolled in a CSPD school, fill out this form to apply for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student School Fee Offering (one form per child).
More on enrolling in a CSPD school
For more information about enrolling in a CSPD school, please contact our Enrolments team via enrolment@parra.catholic.edu.au or speak to your local school.
The Jarara Cultural Centre
For assistance with any cultural matters, please contact The Jarara Cultural Centre at (02) 9840 5672