ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the extent to which freedom of religion is protected by law in Australian primary and secondary education in both government and non-governments schools. It examines the accommodation of religion within the multi-cultural, multi-faith environment found in Australia. Education at the primary and secondary levels in Australia may be very broadly categorized as either government or non-government. Australian State Government approaches to religious education in government schools are broadly represented by the South Australian state arrangements. The majority of religious Non-Government schools appear to advocate a values-based approach to religious education with a greater or lesser focus on evangelism or proselytism depending on the individual school. A Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found against Fairness in Religions in School, holding the children who opt out of special religious instruction classes in state primary schools are not being discriminated against under the Equal Opportunity Act.
