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27 Best PD Providers for Catholic Schools in Australia (2026)

  • Writer: Jonno White
    Jonno White
  • Feb 12
  • 14 min read

Australia is home to 1,756 Catholic schools educating over 805,000 students, making it one of the largest Catholic school networks in the world. New Zealand adds another 300+ Catholic schools across the Tasman. Finding professional development that strengthens both teaching practice and Catholic mission requires providers who understand this distinctive context.

 

This guide brings together 27 of the best professional development providers serving Catholic schools across Australia and New Zealand. From leadership facilitators and instructional coaches to faith formation specialists and team dynamics experts, these providers understand what makes Catholic education different. They work with diocesan offices, religious orders, school systems, and individual schools to deliver professional learning that actually sticks.

 

Each listing includes the provider's specialty, who they are best suited for, and what makes them worth considering. Whether you are a principal planning a staff PD day, a diocesan director sourcing system-wide training, or a school board investing in leadership development, this list will save you hours of research.

 

Catholic school teachers in Australia participating in a professional development workshop in a modern school hall

How to Choose the Right PD Provider for Your Catholic School

 

Before you start scrolling through 27 providers, it helps to know what you are looking for. The best PD investment for your school depends on your current challenges, budget, and goals. A school struggling with staff cohesion needs something very different from one seeking to lift literacy results.

 

Consider whether you want PD that is specifically Catholic in content (faith formation, Catholic identity, religious education) or PD that is universal in application but delivered by someone who understands the Catholic school context (leadership, team dynamics, instructional practice, wellbeing). Both have their place, and the strongest schools invest in both.

 

Finally, ask for references. Any provider worth hiring should be able to connect you with principals or diocesan directors who can speak to their impact. The listings below will give you a strong starting point, but always do your own due diligence before booking.

 

1. Jonno White, Clarity Group Global

Specialty: Leadership Development, Team Dynamics, Working Genius Facilitation

Best For: Catholic school leadership teams, executive offsites, staff PD days, conference keynotes

 

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership keynote speaker who works extensively with Catholic schools across Australia and internationally. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally and addresses the difficult conversations that school leaders navigate daily. His Working Genius workshops help Catholic school teams discover why some work energizes them while other work drains them, transforming how staff collaborate on everything from curriculum planning to pastoral care.

 

Jonno hosts The Leadership Conversations Podcast with over 230 episodes reaching listeners in more than 150 countries, and founded The 7 Questions Movement with over 6,000 participating leaders. He achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating at the ASBA 2025 National Conference. His clients include Catholic diocesan offices, Catholic colleges, and faith-based organizations across Australia, the UK, USA, Singapore, Canada, India, and South Africa.

 

Jonno has been part of Gateway Baptist Church in Brisbane since he was one year old, and served as a pastor for a season before transitioning into leadership consulting. His deep conviction is that Christian organizations should be the healthiest in the world, and that passion drives his work with Catholic schools and education systems. His sessions on Working Genius, team dynamics, and navigating difficult conversations complement the spiritual formation work your diocese already provides. He delivers keynotes, half-day and full-day workshops, two-day leadership offsites, and ongoing executive coaching.

 

Regions served: Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Singapore, Canada, India, South Africa (in-person and virtual)

 

Australia and New Zealand

 

Australia is home to 1,756 Catholic schools educating over 805,000 students, making it one of the largest Catholic school networks in the world. New Zealand adds another 300+ Catholic schools. Both countries have well-established diocesan education offices, national peak bodies, and a growing ecosystem of independent PD providers serving the Catholic education sector.

 

2. Jonathan Doyle

Specialty: Catholic Teacher Formation, Mission and Identity

Best For: Diocesan PD days, NCEA conventions, teacher formation programs

 

Jonathan Doyle is one of the most recognized voices in Catholic education worldwide. Based in Canberra, Australia, his Going Deeper Catholic Teacher Formation Program is used by hundreds of Catholic schools. He keynoted the NCEA Convention and Expo in the USA to over 8,000 attendees and works across dioceses in Australia, the UK, and the United States. His focus is on renewing the vocation of Catholic educators and connecting mission to daily classroom practice. A powerful speaker who combines theological depth with practical energy.

 

Regions served: Australia, USA, UK, Global

 

3. Simon Breakspear

Specialty: Strategic Leadership, Teaching Sprints, Evidence-Based Improvement

Best For: System leaders, principals, instructional coaches

 

Simon Breakspear is the founder of Strategic Schools and creator of the Teaching Sprints approach. He was a headline speaker at the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference in Cairns, delivering masterclasses on strategic subtraction and educator development. His work helps Catholic school leaders focus on fewer priorities with greater depth, an approach that resonates strongly with schools overwhelmed by competing demands. His research-informed approach to improvement is used by Catholic education systems across Australia.

 

Regions served: Australia, New Zealand, Global

 

4. National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC)

Specialty: National Policy, Conferences, Strategic Direction

Best For: System leaders, diocesan directors, policy makers

 

The NCEC is the peak body for Catholic education in Australia, representing all 1,756 Catholic schools. Their biennial Australian Catholic Education Conference is the largest gathering of Catholic educators in Australia, attracting over 1,400 delegates. The 2025 conference in Cairns featured headline speakers including Professor Dylan Wiliam, Dr Simon Breakspear, and Sr Nathalie Becquart from the Vatican. The NCEC coordinates national strategic priorities across Faith, Excellence, and Access.

 

Regions served: Australia

 

5. Catholic Network Australia (CNA)

Specialty: Digital Inclusion, Innovation, Shared Services

Best For: Schools seeking digital PD, technology integration, innovation

 

CNA supports over 1,700 Catholic schools in Australia with digital inclusion, events, professional development, and shared services. Their webinars, virtual incursions, national forums, and student challenges bring Catholic educators together to share knowledge and build skills in technology and innovation. CNA is particularly valuable for schools looking to strengthen digital literacy and technology integration within a Catholic education framework.

 

Regions served: Australia

 

6. Australian Catholic University (ACU)

Specialty: Teacher Education, Research, Graduate Programs

Best For: Teachers seeking qualifications, schools wanting research partnerships

 

ACU is the largest provider of teachers for Catholic schools in Australia. Beyond initial teacher education, ACU offers professional development through its research centers, graduate programs, and partnerships with Catholic education offices. Their Mathematics Teaching and Learning Centre led by Dr Matt Sexton regularly contributes keynote speakers and workshop facilitators to Catholic education conferences. Their commitment to serving Catholic education makes them a natural partner for school improvement.

 

Regions served: Australia

Learn more: acu.edu.au

 

7. Jill Gowdie, Round Table Consulting

Specialty: Catholic Identity, Mission, Formation, Leadership Culture

Best For: School boards, leadership teams, diocesan systems, Public Juridic Persons

 

Jill Gowdie's Round Table consultancy focuses on identity, mission, formation, leadership, and culture within Catholic and faith-based education entities. Her work spans strategic reviews, keynotes, professional retreats, formation programs, online resources, and team facilitation. She works with individual leaders, teams, schools, systems, and boards across the Catholic education landscape in Australia. Her deep understanding of Catholic governance and identity makes her particularly valuable for schools navigating questions of mission and purpose.

 

Regions served: Australia

 

8. Dylan Wiliam

Specialty: Formative Assessment, Teacher Development, Educational Research

Best For: Whole-school assessment improvement, teacher mastery programs

 

Emeritus Professor Dylan Wiliam from UCL Institute of Education in London is a regular and highly valued contributor to Australian Catholic education. He was a headline speaker at the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference, delivering a keynote on equitable educational improvement plus masterclasses on school accountability and developing teacher mastery. His evidence-based approach to formative assessment has been adopted by Catholic school systems worldwide. His full-day workshops provide deep, practical learning.

 

Regions served: Global (frequently works with Australian Catholic schools)

Learn more: dylanwiliam.org

 

9. Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE)

Specialty: Science of Learning, Living Learning Model, System-Wide PD

Best For: Teachers and leaders in the Brisbane Archdiocese

 

BCE supports over 145 schools and 77,000 students across South East Queensland. Their partnership with the University of Queensland to co-design the Living Learning model of teaching practice, informed by the Science of Learning, demonstrates innovative system-wide PD. Their mathematics professional learning initiatives and annual conference programming provide comprehensive development for their 11,000+ staff. BCE's approach to embedding research in classroom practice offers a model for Catholic systems globally.

 

Regions served: Australia (Queensland)

 

10. Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS)

Specialty: Teaching WalkThrus, Instructional Coaching, System Improvement

Best For: Teachers and leaders in the Melbourne Archdiocese

 

MACS has launched system-wide initiatives including the MACS WalkThrus instructional coaching platform developed with Teaching WalkThrus. This initiative strengthens evidence-based teaching practices across their school system, providing webinars, tools, and resources aligned with their Vision for Instruction. Their approach demonstrates how a large Catholic school system can scale professional learning effectively while maintaining quality and coherence across all schools.

 

Regions served: Australia (Victoria)

Learn more: macs.vic.edu.au

 

11. Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS)

Specialty: Arts Education, Innovation, Architects of Change

Best For: Teachers and leaders in the Sydney Archdiocese

 

Sydney Catholic Schools serves 147 schools and has developed distinctive PD programs including the Architects of Change initiative and a strong emphasis on performing and visual arts education through programs like Amadeus and ViVA. Their conferences feature diverse speakers from education, technology, and leadership. Under Executive Director Tony Farley, the system has experienced strong enrollment growth and outstanding learning results.

 

Regions served: Australia (NSW)

 

12. Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn (CECG)

Specialty: Catalyst Program, Evidence-Based Literacy, Teacher Development

Best For: Teachers and leaders in ACT and southern NSW Catholic schools

 

CECG operates 56 schools across the ACT and NSW with professional development programs including the Catalyst program, which has been particularly influential in evidence-based literacy instruction. Professor Lorraine Hammond's work with the Catalyst program has provided models that have been shared across Catholic education nationally, including support for Catholic Education Tasmania's Insight into Learning initiative.

 

Regions served: Australia (ACT/NSW)

Learn more: cg.catholic.edu.au

 

13. Catholic Education South Australia (CESA)

Specialty: Teacher Certification, Regional Support, Early Years

Best For: Teachers and leaders in South Australian Catholic schools

 

CESA supports 101 Catholic schools across South Australia with professional development that includes teacher certification, early career teacher programs, and regional and remote teacher support. Their preservice teacher scholarship programs and EAL consultant work demonstrate a comprehensive approach to building capacity across diverse school communities. Their workforce strategy addresses the unique challenges of staffing Catholic schools in varied geographic contexts.

 

Regions served: Australia (South Australia)

 

14. Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP)

Specialty: Future-Focused Education, Diverse Communities, Teacher Pipeline

Best For: Teachers and leaders in Western Sydney Catholic schools

 

CEDP operates 80 schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, serving one of Australia's most culturally diverse Catholic school communities. Their professional development emphasizes future-focused education, inclusive practices, and supporting diverse learning needs. Their Future Teachers program recruits Year 12 students with financial assistance and employment opportunities, building the Catholic school teacher pipeline from the ground up.

 

Regions served: Australia (NSW)

 

15. Catholic Education Tasmania

Specialty: Evidence-Based Literacy, Emerging Leaders Programme

Best For: Teachers and leaders in Tasmanian Catholic schools

 

Catholic Education Tasmania's Insight into Learning initiative and Emerging Leaders Programme have been recognized for building leadership capacity effectively. Their collaboration with Catholic Education Canberra Goulburn on evidence-based literacy strategies demonstrates how smaller Catholic education systems can leverage partnerships for professional development that punches above its weight.

 

Regions served: Australia (Tasmania)

 

16. Catholic Education Cairns

Specialty: Regional and Remote Education, Teacher Mentoring

Best For: Teachers in regional and remote Catholic schools

 

Catholic Education Cairns provides professional development across a vast geographic area spanning from Cardwell to the Torres Strait Islands. Under Executive Director Durm O'Riordan, their support for regional and remote teachers includes financial incentives, accommodation, and structured mentoring programs. Their hosting of the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference brought national PD attention to regional Catholic education needs.

 

Regions served: Australia (Far North Queensland)

 

17. Real Talk Australia

Specialty: Relationships, Personal Identity, Sexuality Education

Best For: Catholic secondary schools, student wellbeing programs

 

Based in Queensland, Real Talk delivers presentations, programs, and resources on sex, relationships, and personal identity grounded in Christian values. Their team of dynamic presenters use personal sharing to help young people understand their true value, worth, and dignity. For Catholic schools seeking an approach to these sensitive topics that aligns with Catholic teaching while genuinely connecting with students, Real Talk fills an important niche.

 

Regions served: Australia

 

18. FRG Ministry

Specialty: Youth Ministry, Faith Formation, Evangelization

Best For: Catholic secondary schools, retreat programs

 

FRG Ministry is a not-for-profit Catholic organization based in Bendigo, Victoria, that brings the love of Jesus and a message of hope to people of all ages. Their team visits secondary schools around Australia and internationally, delivering engaging programs that connect with young people. For Catholic schools seeking external retreat facilitators or youth ministry speakers who can authentically engage teenagers, FRG Ministry brings energy and genuine faith witness.

 

Regions served: Australia, International

Learn more: frgministry.com

 

19. Luke Kennedy

Specialty: Motivational Speaking, Resilience, Teacher Wellbeing

Best For: Secondary school assemblies, teacher PD days, parent events

 

Luke Kennedy is an Australian motivational speaker and bestselling author who works extensively with Catholic schools including Holy Name Catholic College in Toowoomba. His personal story of overcoming crime, addiction, and adversity connects powerfully with both students and staff. He delivers student assemblies, teacher wellbeing workshops, and parent evening sessions as a complete school visit package. His authentic approach resonates particularly well in Catholic school communities.

 

Regions served: Australia

Learn more: lukeskennedy.com

 

20. Caritas Australia

Specialty: Social Justice Education, Global Citizenship, Project Compassion

Best For: Whole-school social justice programs, curriculum integration

 

Caritas Australia's Social and Ecological Justice team engages with Catholic schools to build understanding of global development and social justice. Their resources are deeply embedded in the Catholic school calendar through Project Compassion and other initiatives. Beyond fundraising, Caritas provides professional development for teachers on integrating social justice themes across the curriculum, connecting Catholic Social Teaching to classroom practice in tangible ways.

 

Regions served: Australia

Learn more: caritas.org.au

 

21. Jesuit Social Services, Just Voices Speakers Program

Specialty: Social Justice, Lived Experience Speaking, Advocacy

Best For: Catholic schools seeking authentic social justice speakers

 

Jesuit Social Services' Just Voices Speakers Program provides Catholic schools with authentic voices on social justice issues including homelessness, addiction, refugee experiences, and incarceration. Their speakers share lived experience that connects Catholic Social Teaching to real-world impact. For Catholic schools wanting to bring social justice alive beyond textbook discussions, JSS provides powerful and ethical engagement.

 

Regions served: Australia

Learn more: jss.org.au

 

22. Catholic Schools NSW

Specialty: Research, Policy, AI in Education, Governance

Best For: Catholic school leaders and boards across NSW

 

Catholic Schools NSW provides research, policy guidance, and governance support across the state's Catholic education systems. They have been at the forefront of helping Catholic schools navigate artificial intelligence through their AI Symposium and related professional development. Their research publications and policy analysis inform professional development priorities across diocesan systems. As AI transforms education, their leadership in addressing both practical and ethical dimensions through a Catholic lens provides a valuable model.

 

Regions served: Australia (NSW)

 

23. Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC)

Specialty: State-Level Coordination, Policy, Cross-Diocesan PD

Best For: Catholic education leaders across Queensland

 

QCEC coordinates Catholic education across Queensland's five diocesan systems, providing policy advocacy, research, and cross-diocesan professional development coordination. Their work at state level ensures Catholic schools are represented in government policy discussions while facilitating sharing of best practice and resources across the state's diverse Catholic school communities, from inner Brisbane to remote Far North Queensland.

 

Regions served: Australia (Queensland)

 

24. Te Kupenga / National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS)

Specialty: Religious Education, Faith Formation, Catholic Leadership

Best For: NZ Catholic school teachers, principals, directors of religious studies

 

Te Kupenga is the home of three national Catholic agencies in New Zealand, including the National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS) and the Catholic Leadership Institute. NCRS is responsible for religious education programs and resources and professional development for Catholic teachers across New Zealand's 300+ Catholic schools. They provide faith education programs for adults and shape RE curriculum and teacher formation across the country.

 

Regions served: New Zealand

Learn more: tekupenga.ac.nz

 

25. New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO)

Specialty: Principal Formation, Board Governance, Catholic Character

Best For: NZ Catholic principals, boards of trustees, diocesan leaders

 

NZCEO serves the educational requirements of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and supports Catholic integrated schools across New Zealand. Their First Time Principals Programme, video resources for teachers, and governance support provide essential professional development. The biennial New Zealand Catholic Education Convention brings together over 700 Catholic educators for professional learning and networking. Their 2024 convention in Wellington demonstrated the strength of this national gathering.

 

Regions served: New Zealand

Learn more: nzceo.org.nz

 

26. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

Specialty: Social Justice Education, Global Citizenship, Faith-Based Action

Best For: NZ Catholic schools integrating justice across the curriculum

 

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand provides education resources, school visits, international speaker connections, and leadership training days for Catholic schools. Their resources align with both the Religious Education curriculum and the broader New Zealand schools curriculum, making them useful across subject areas. Social Justice Week and Lent resources are used by Catholic schools nationwide to connect faith with action for justice.

 

Regions served: New Zealand

Learn more: caritas.org.nz

 

27. CathEvents

Specialty: Catholic Conference Listings, Professional Learning Tours, Event Discovery

Best For: Catholic educators seeking conferences, retreats, and PD events

 

CathEvents serves as a comprehensive listing platform for Catholic conferences, retreats, professional learning tours, and events across Australia and beyond. From the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary Principals conference to the LA Religious Education Congress professional learning tours, CathEvents helps Catholic educators discover professional development opportunities they might otherwise miss. An essential bookmark for any Catholic school leader planning their annual PD calendar.

 

Regions served: Australia, Global

Learn more: cathevents.org.au

 

What to Look for in a PD Provider for Your Catholic School

 

The best professional development providers for Catholic schools share several qualities. They understand that Catholic schools are not just schools with a chapel attached. They recognize that mission, identity, and faith formation are woven through everything from how you run staff meetings to how you handle parent complaints. The PD they deliver respects and reinforces this reality.

 

Look for providers who can demonstrate impact, not just engagement. A great PD day feels good, but lasting change requires follow-up, implementation support, and accountability. Ask potential providers how they ensure their work translates into changed practice back in classrooms and staffrooms.

 

Consider the balance between Catholic-specific content and universally applicable best practice. Your school needs both. Faith formation and Catholic identity require providers with deep theological knowledge. But leadership, team dynamics, and instructional practice benefit from the best expertise available, delivered by someone who respects your Catholic context.

 

What Does Catholic School PD Typically Cost in Australia?

 

National conferences like the Australian Catholic Education Conference typically cost $500 to $1,500 per delegate including registration. Individual keynote speakers and facilitators for school PD days typically range from $2,000 to $7,500 depending on the speaker's profile, travel requirements, and session length. Ongoing consulting and coaching relationships generally range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more per year depending on scope.

 

For inquiries about Jonno White's availability and pricing for your Catholic school, email jonno@consultclarity.org

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What makes professional development for Catholic schools different from general school PD?

Catholic school PD must account for the distinctive mission, identity, and culture of Catholic education. This includes faith formation alongside professional skills, alignment with Catholic Social Teaching, understanding of diocesan governance structures, and respect for the vocation of Catholic educators. The best providers integrate these elements naturally rather than treating them as add-ons.

 

Do PD providers need to be Catholic to work effectively with Catholic schools?

Not necessarily. Many excellent providers who are not themselves Catholic deliver outstanding PD in Catholic schools because they respect the Catholic context and adapt their approach accordingly. What matters is that the provider understands your school's mission and values. The most effective approach often combines Catholic-specific formation providers with best-in-class practitioners in universal areas like leadership and instruction.

 

How do I get my diocese on board with a new PD provider?

Start by connecting your diocesan education office with the provider. Many dioceses coordinate PD across their schools and can negotiate system-wide arrangements. Frame your recommendation in terms of alignment with diocesan strategic priorities. Offering to pilot the PD at your school and share results is often an effective way to build diocesan support.

 

About the Author

 

Jonno White is a leadership keynote speaker, Certified Working Genius Facilitator, and the bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out (10,000+ copies sold globally). He is the founder of Clarity Group Global and The 7 Questions Movement (6,000+ participating leaders), and host of The Leadership Conversations Podcast (230+ episodes, listeners in 150+ countries). Jonno works with Catholic schools, corporate teams, and nonprofits across Australia, the UK, USA, Singapore, Canada, India, and South Africa.

 

To book Jonno for your Catholic school PD day, conference keynote, or leadership offsite, email jonno@consultclarity.org

 

Next Read: 21 Best PD Providers for Catholic Schools in the USA (2026)

 

Looking for professional development providers for Catholic schools in the United States? Our companion guide covers 21 of the best PD speakers, consultants, universities, and organizations serving American Catholic education, from NCEA and the Alliance for Catholic Education at Notre Dame to specialist inclusion consultants and leadership formation programs.

 

Whether you are a superintendent planning diocesan PD, a principal sourcing speakers, or a teacher seeking graduate programs in Catholic school leadership, this directory has you covered.

 

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