Benefits of multifaith inclusion

Inclusive and culturally safe environments build trust in the community, support wellbeing, and create a sense of belonging. These factors can enhance both learning outcomes and workplace performance.

Schools and workplaces are important places where inclusion matters. When inclusion is missing, it can affect how connected people feel to their community. Religious discrimination often intersects with factors such as faith, culture, ethnicity, and gender, compounding the harm experienced. Many people from faith or religious communities have reported that their religious identity and culture influenced the discrimination they faced. This demonstrates how different types of harm can be linked together and highlights the importance of creating multifaith inclusive environments.

Strategies for building multifaith inclusive environments

Where possible, celebrate faith and cultural diversity of your school or workplace community through whole-school or workplace events. When planning events, be mindful of the different beliefs and practices of students, staff and their families. Consider dietary requirements and other cultural needs to make events feel welcoming and supportive.

Refer to Culture and diversity for further information.

Building staff awareness and confidence

When onboarding staff or welcoming students, consider communicating the department’s values as outlined in the Values in NSW public schools, Multicultural education, and Anti-racism policies.

All staff are expected to be familiar with and follow school or workplace procedures for reporting and responding to religious intolerance. Staff should encourage students and staff to raise concerns, ensure that all reports are treated respectfully and taken seriously, and record incidents in relevant systems.

Staff are often well placed to notice and respond to incidents as they arise. Everyone has an important role in supporting the timely identification and appropriate management of incidents of religious intolerance.

Encourage staff to use respectful and inclusive language when speaking about faith with students, families, and colleagues models a consistent respectful attitude to all members of the school or workplace community.

Practice self-reflection by checking personal biases, assumptions and stereotypes. Maintaining respect, objectivity, and professionalism is important, as it relates to all forms of diversity, including religious beliefs or practices.

Navigating respectful discussions

When engaging in discussions about faith or religious topics, it is encouraged that staff focus on continually educating themselves to learn more about the faith and beliefs of their community to foster a deeper understanding.

As discussions about students’ and colleagues’ religion, beliefs, or practices arise, approach with respect. Encourage active listening and participation without judgement. Set clear boundaries for discussions and stop conversations if they become disrespectful.

Model respectful behaviour to build trust and support among students, colleagues and families from diverse backgrounds.

Engaging communities page includes essential information targeted at school leaders and staff to effectively communicate and engage with their culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Accommodating religious observances and practices

The Calendar for cultural diversity can be displayed in common areas and consulted to highlight important events from various traditions. It can inform scheduling considerations for important school or workplace activities outside of major religious observance days.

Consider flexibility with leave for key observances. When approving leave, L code is used for Cultural/religious events and practices. The School attendance register codes guide (PDF 0.2Mb) is located on the Resources for schools page.

Acknowledge and support students and staff where possible during religious practices such as fasting or prayer. Ensure that staff and students who require access to a multi-faith prayer, quiet, or meditation room are informed of its location and are granted appropriate access. The Other activities of a religious nature in schools procedures and Voluntary activities page includes information on supporting these practices.

Using the correct terms for religious observances and dress shows respect and understanding.

When considering religious dress, the Uniforms at school procedures offers guidance to help schools establish their own uniform policies that align with the broader procedural framework. For example, religious garments can be provided in school colours, such as hijabs, kufis, turbans, patkas, kippahs, and tichels. Schools can offer modest sports uniforms and sun protection options tailored to accommodate religious dress practices.

At events, excursions, incursions, school canteens, food related classes and community events, consider providing food options that cater for the community’s diverse dietary requirements. See Supporting students’ religious dietary requirements in school for more information.

Embedding inclusive practice and resources

Using a range of resources that positively represent your school and workplace context to enhance learning outcomes.

Staff can access the Henry Parkes Equity Resource Centre for multifaith inclusive resources and support to promote equity and inclusion in their context.

School staff can create opportunities to bring diverse communities together. Some guidance can be found on the Planning multi-faith visits page.

Key resources

Multifaith inclusive schools’ checklist 2025 (PDF 70Kb) outlines strategies for fostering religious inclusivity in schools, such as recognising diverse religious practices, promoting understanding of various beliefs, and addressing religious intolerance effectively.

Supporting students of diverse religions

Supporting religion and spirituality resources – provide school leaders and teachers with general information about religious practices that have implications for NSW public schools and the diverse communities they serve. These resources aim to promote cultural and religious inclusion.

Relevant professional learning

• Anti-racism – professional support – A range of professional learning opportunities in anti-racism, multicultural education and intercultural understanding are available for school staff, students and community.
• Culturally Inclusive Teaching and Learning – self-paced online course to support teachers develop and implement culturally inclusive teaching strategies and practices.
• Engaging culturally and linguistically diverse communities – targeted at school leaders and staff who want to effectively communicate, engage, and build strong family-school partnerships with their culturally, linguistically, and religiously diverse communities.
• Restorative Practice – on-demand e-learning designed to provide a foundational understanding of whole school teaching and learning approaches that encourage supportive and respectful behaviour.
• Trauma-informed Practice – provides a foundational understanding of childhood trauma, its causes and impact for schools.

Find relevant professional learning and resources for supporting students from refugee backgrounds or those who have experienced trauma on Supporting refugee students.