Help Guides: Introduction to Chaplaincy: Military and Prison Chaplaincy

Military and Prison Chaplaincy

Chaplaincy has long been associated with the military, and military chaplains can be traced as far back as the Roman army under Constantine, when priests were attached to military troops in order to provide for the spiritual support of soldiers during the journey into battle. Today, military chaplains are accredited by their faith group or denomination, and serve as enlisted officers in the defence force.

Prison chaplains also have a very long history. In the late 18th century, they helped prepare pleas for mercy (when most inmates were illiterate), ministered to those who asked, and protested the death sentence.

Military Chaplaincy

Military chaplains look after the wellbeing of defence personnel, their families, and civilians working for the military. Most military chaplains will be attached to a particular regiment and are deployed for training and active duty with that regiment.

Becoming a military chaplain comes with more requirements than other chaplaincy fields. Applicants must:

Be physically and mentally fit for service in the Australian Defence Force
Hold a bachelor's degree in Theology or Ministry, or equivalent
Have at least two years' experience in pastoral ministry as an ordained minister
Be endorsed by a sending faith group
Demonstrate qualities which suit Chaplaincy Ministry and also prove suitability as an officer within the ADF

Chaplaincy Ministry in the ADF
Many Churches and Faith Groups provide provide Chaplains to the Australian Defence Force. Chaplains serve in Navy, Army or Air Force in either full time or part-time capacities.
It is a challenging and rewarding ministry which is not for the faint of heart.
Defence Anglicans
Australian Defence Force chaplains provide pastoral, spiritual and emotional support for service personnel, including the conduct of religious services at sea, on bases or in the field.
The Anglican Church of Australia has made available clergy for ministry as chaplains in the permanent and reserve elements of the Australian Defence Force.
Royal Australian Air Force Combat Support Group
Chaplains serve as members of the RAAF Combat Support Group, providing airbase operational support to fixed and expeditionary air bases
Royal Australian Army Chaplains Department
The role of Defence Chaplaincy is to bring honour to the dead, comfort to the sick, hope to those in distress, and support to all.
The Royal Australian Army Chaplains Department is comprised of Australian Army officers who provide spiritual or religious support and pastoral care to members of the Army and their families.
Royal Australian Navy Chaplains
Pastoral care and spiritual support is provided by Navy Chaplaincy Branch to all Navy members and their families, to appropriately meet the individual’s spiritual and emotional needs toward enhancing Navy’s most important capability and enabling Navy people to continue to fight and win at sea. It encompasses all the ways in which attention is paid to the spiritual dimensions of life. It includes, but is not limited to, the provision of assessment, counselling, support and ritual in matters of a person’s beliefs, traditions, values and practices enabling the person to access their own spiritual resources and personal resilience.
Veterans' Chaplaincy Pilot Program
The Veterans’ Chaplaincy Pilot Program is a Government commitment to provide chaplaincy support post-service for at risk transitioning Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families, providing another option for support for those who need it most.
The initial Veterans Chaplains will be current or former ADF chaplains.

Prison Chaplaincy

Prison chaplains - formally known as justice or correctional and rehabilitation chaplains - provide pastoral care and spiritual services to correctional staff, inmates and their families. They can be invaluable in helping people work through trauma and build a better future.

Prison chaplaincy takes empathy, lots of listening, and strength of character.

Click here for the testimonies of multi-faith prison chaplains in one correctional centre.

Anglicare Justice Chaplains
Justice chaplains might minister to a prisoner who has lost all hope, a prison warden who is supporting his wife through cancer, or the police officer who experienced a traumatic incident.
Their ministry involves listening, building trust, faithful prayer and the wisdom of knowing when to share about Jesus Christ.
CatholicCare Chaplaincy Services (Sydney)
Our Chaplains provide pastoral care to inmates, staff and families at Long Bay Correctional Centre, Silverwater Metropolitan Remand Centre, and Silverwater Women's Correctional Centre.
CatholicCare Victoria Prison Ministry
Our Prison Chaplains visit men and women in every prison and correctional centre in Victoria, offering emotional, spiritual and sacramental support.
Prison Ministry supports everyone regardless of faith or religious background, and can also provide support to prisoners’ family members and/or significant people in their lives.
Corrective Services NSW: The role of a chaplain
Chaplains work alongside other professionals in correctional centres to ensure that the needs of the whole person are being addressed. Chaplains contribute to case management as part of the Offender Services and Programs staff team.
Salvation Army Prison Chaplains
Salvation Army chaplains provide a range of support to people in prison, such as one-on-one support – emotional, spiritual and pastoral; regular visits; chapel services; Bible studies (not available in every prison); and referrals to other agencies in preparation for release.