This page provides a high-level, recognition-first context for people who attended Catholic schools in New South Wales. It does not make findings, allegations, or assumptions about any individual school or experience.
If you attended a Catholic school in NSW
If you attended a Catholic primary or secondary school in New South Wales at any time in the past, you may recognise your experience as being part of the Catholic systemic school network, rather than an independent school operating in isolation.
Many Catholic schools in NSW have historically operated within shared governance, policies, and oversight arrangements coordinated through diocesan or system-wide education authorities. This page provides high-level institutional context only, to help people understand where their school may sit within that broader structure.
It does not make findings, allegations, or assumptions about any individual school or experience.
Governance and institutional context
Catholic systemic schools in New South Wales are generally administered through diocesan education authorities and system-level structures. Individual schools may differ in location, size, and day-to-day management, but many have operated within shared governance frameworks.
Historically, schools within systemic networks may have shared:
- centralised governance frameworks
- common safeguarding and disciplinary policies
- coordinated staffing and administrative systems
- religious and educational oversight linked to Catholic dioceses
This distinction can matter when survivors later seek to understand which institution or body was responsible for a school during a particular period. Governance arrangements can also change over time.
Historical safeguarding context
Like many large education systems in Australia and internationally, Catholic school systems have undergone significant changes to child safeguarding practices over time.
Earlier decades often involved:
- limited external oversight
- different standards around reporting and accountability
- governance structures that prioritised internal handling of complaints
Modern safeguarding frameworks are substantially different. This page is concerned only with historical context.
Current legal landscape
The legal framework governing institutional responsibility for historical abuse in Catholic school settings continues to develop through court decisions.
Australian courts are currently examining fundamental questions about:
- how duties of care are established in diocesan structures
- what level of institutional knowledge is required to establish foreseeability
- how modern statutory frameworks interact with historical common law principles
- the distinction between direct institutional liability and other forms of legal responsibility
These matters are being considered at the highest levels of the Australian judicial system. Outcomes may influence how historical claims are assessed, though they do not predetermine the facts of any individual survivor’s experience.
For survivors considering legal action, understanding the current state of the law is an important part of making informed decisions about available pathways.
How this hub relates to individual schools
This page acts as a navigation and recognition hub. It is not a substitute for information about a specific school.
Individual Catholic schools in NSW may have different diocesan affiliations, governance arrangements at different times, and different legal pathways depending on the period involved.
Where available, this hub links down to individual institution pages.
If you are unsure which governing body applies to your school, timeframe, or location, that uncertainty is common. Legal advice can help clarify these questions in the context of your specific circumstances.
Our experience with Catholic institutional abuse claims in NSW
Since 1990, Koffels Solicitors & Barristers has represented survivors of institutional abuse at Catholic schools and parishes across New South Wales. Our experience includes:
- Schools operated by religious orders (Marist Brothers, Christian Brothers, De La Salle Brothers, Salesians)
- Diocesan schools and parishes across metropolitan Sydney, the Hunter region, and regional NSW
- Cases involving both direct institutional negligence and questions of systemic responsibility
- Matters that have reached superior courts, including appeals addressing fundamental questions of institutional liability
We have particular experience helping clients understand which entity was responsible for their school or parish during the relevant period. This can be complex, as governance structures have changed significantly over time, and legal responsibility may rest with dioceses, religious orders, or other entities depending on the specific circumstances.
Representative matters
We are currently acting for the plaintiff in AA v The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, a matter concerning institutional responsibility that is before the High Court of Australia. The judgment in that matter is expected shortly.
Catholic schools and institutions by diocese
Catholic schools in NSW have historically operated under various diocesan authorities. The following groupings reflect governance structures that existed during relevant historical periods.
Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle encompasses the Hunter region of New South Wales and has responsibility for numerous parishes and schools across the area.
Institutions with dedicated pages:
Related content:
- Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle – Institutional Overview
- Father Peter Brock – Maitland-Newcastle
- Father Vincent Ryan’s Child Sex Crimes
- Witnesses Sought: St Pius X Adamstown
Archdiocese of Sydney
The Archdiocese of Sydney is the oldest and largest Catholic diocese in Australia, with responsibility for Catholic institutions across metropolitan Sydney and surrounding regions.
Catholic institutions operated by religious orders:
- St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill – Marist Brothers
- Additional Marist Brothers institutions (pages in development)
Independent schools with Catholic connections:
Note: The following schools are independent (non-systemic) schools not operated by the Catholic Church, but have historical associations with Catholic or other Christian traditions:
- Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga – Independent, historically Presbyterian
- The Scots College, Bellevue Hill – Independent, historically Presbyterian
These schools are included for navigation purposes only, as survivors may have attended multiple institutions or may be seeking information about the broader independent school sector in Sydney.
Diocese of Parramatta
Pages for institutions within the Diocese of Parramatta will be added as content is developed.
Related content:
- Parramatta Marist Canoe Club – Justice for Abuse Survivors
- Parramatta Marist High School – Call for Witnesses
- Brother Geoffrey Coman Sykes – Parramatta Marist
Diocese of Armidale
Pages for institutions within the Diocese of Armidale will be added as content is developed.
Related content:
Diocese of Wagga Wagga
Pages for institutions within the Diocese of Wagga Wagga will be added as content is developed.
Related content:
Other NSW Dioceses
Catholic institutions exist across numerous other dioceses in New South Wales, including Lismore, Wollongong, Broken Bay, and others. Pages for schools and parishes in these diocesan areas will be added progressively as content is developed.
Related content across NSW dioceses:
- Catholic Diocese of Wollongong – Allegations of Abuse
- Brother Evans and Brother Roberts – Edmund Rice College
- Red Bend Catholic College – Institutional Abuse
Religious orders operating in NSW
Many Catholic schools in NSW have been operated by religious orders rather than directly by dioceses. These include:
Marist Brothers
The Marist Brothers operated schools across NSW. Historical abuse within Marist institutions has been documented through Royal Commission findings, criminal convictions, and civil litigation.
Related content:
- The Marist Brothers – Historical Abuse at St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill
- Brother William Beninati (Brother Vales) – Institutional Abuse
- Conviction of Brother Dacian (Kevin Jewell) – Marist Brothers Eastwood
Christian Brothers / De La Salle Brothers
Christian Brothers and De La Salle Brothers schools operated across NSW, particularly in regional areas.
Related content:
- Christian Brothers Sexual Abuse
- De La Salle Revesby – Witness Appeal
- Call for Witnesses – De La Salle College Revesby
- Call for Witnesses – Errol Swain (De La Salle Bankstown)
Other religious orders
Additional religious orders that operated schools in NSW include the Salesians, Patrician Brothers, and others. Content relating to these institutions will be added as pages are developed.
Options available
People who experienced sexual abuse in a Catholic school setting may wish to explore institutional abuse compensation pathways and the National Redress Scheme.
This page does not explain those processes in detail.
Confidential support and legal advice
If you’d like confidential advice about options that may be available, you can contact Koffels Solicitors & Barristers.
Phone: 02 9283 5599
Email: info@koffels.com.au
All initial consultations are provided free of charge and in strict confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this page allege abuse by Catholic Schools NSW?
No. This page provides institutional and governance context only. It does not make allegations, findings, or conclusions about any organisation or school.
Why isn’t my school named here?
This hub sits above individual schools. Where school-specific pages exist, they are linked separately. Not all schools have dedicated pages at this time.
Is every Catholic school in NSW governed the same way?
No. Governance arrangements have varied by diocese, time period, and school type. Some schools are operated directly by dioceses, others by religious orders, and governance structures have evolved significantly over time.
Does this page explain legal rights or eligibility?
No. Legal explanations are intentionally separated into dedicated pillar pages. This hub provides institutional context and navigation only. For information about legal pathways, see Institutional Abuse Compensation and National Redress Scheme.
What is the difference between a diocese and a religious order?
A diocese is a geographic administrative area of the Catholic Church led by a bishop. Religious orders (such as the Marist Brothers or Christian Brothers) are separate organisations that operate under their own governance, though they work within diocesan boundaries. This distinction can be important when determining legal responsibility.
How do I know which entity was responsible for my school?
This depends on when you attended, which school, and the governance arrangements in place at the time. Legal advice can help clarify these questions in your specific circumstances.
Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Every survivor’s circumstances are unique, and the applicable law will depend on the specific facts. We recommend obtaining specialist legal advice before taking action.
If you are in immediate crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Blue Knot Foundation National Helpline on 1300 657 380.
