About this college

BBI The Australian Institute of Theological Education (BBI TAITE) delivers postgraduate courses and non-award adult faith and professional development courses. The postgraduate courses are in theological studies, religious education, leadership and theology, and canon law. The Institute designs non-award programs to build Christian faith, spirituality, and leadership. Through these offerings we seek to fulfill the original charter’s requirement to “undertake the education of persons in Christian spirituality and adult education and to give any person who is desirous of undertaking or continuing their education in Christian spirituality and adult education the opportunity to do so.” (Deed of Trust (1979) A)

We established as a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee and registered, pursuant to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), as a Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Educational Centre for Christian Spirituality Limited (ECCSL). We are endorsed by the Commissioner of Taxation as a deductible gift recipient

In August 2023 we became a Member Institution of the Sydney College of Divinity: An Australian University College. Our accreditation and compliance with the regulatory authority is undertaken by the University College allowing us to concentrate on better learning and teaching, building the online environment and providing professional development and consultancy. There is quite a history behind this current development.

It was in 1979 that Father David Walker, supported by fellow priests from the Sydney Archdiocese, established the Centre for Christian Spirituality. In 1994 the Centre became an Associate Member of the Sydney College of Divinity (SCD) and a full Member in 2001, offering distance education to Catholic school teachers. In 2003 the Centre gifted its programs to the Diocese of Broken Bay. This led to The Broken Bay Institute (BBI) being created to deliver in seminar and online education modes to Catholic Education schools offices across Australia. In 2009 the Institute left the SCD consortium to partner with universities, including the University of Newcastle (UoN), University of Tasmania (UTas), and the University of Wollongong (UoW), offering theological education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. From 2010 to 2017, the Institute designed and delivered in online mode a Master of Theology course with various specialisations through UoN. The partnerships with the UoN and UTas ended in 2017. In 2015 the Institute re-partnered with SCD; however, in 2017, BBI ended that partnership.

Following fifteen years of partnership with the SCD and several years with University sector partners, the Institute gained initial registration as a Higher Education Provider on 1 September 2016.

A partnership with Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Canada, enables BBI TAITE to deliver the first pontifically recognised degrees in Canon Law in Australia.

Along with these arrangements for accredited awards, the Institute provides non-accredited adult faith and professional development courses with various partners. It delivers these offerings in a range of modes, such as online, distance education, and face-to-face seminars.

Choosing BBI TAITE

Our Mission

BBI The Australian Institute of Theological Education’s mission is to provide quality Catholic theological education to all members of the community with a commitment to teaching excellence grounded in contemporary and applied research.

Our Approach

Catholic
BBI TAITE is a leading Catholic provider of theology dedicated to teaching and research, to scholarship and publication, to mission and service.  Our faculty and programs and units draw on the rich intellectual heritage of the Catholic theological tradition. Our award offerings are characterised by intellectual rigour, dialogue across academic disciplines, and what the Second Vatican Council referred to as ‘the signs of the times’. BBI TAITE provides an approach to the study of Theology that is at once steeped in the gospels and tradition but immediately fresh and new. We focus on pressing issues arising in the world, and their relationship to faith within our multi-cultural and multi-religious society.  Our courses are of service to culture and society, church ministry and faith communities.

Ecumenical
As a Member Institute of the Sydney College of Divinity: An Australian University College, we are committed to an ecumenical approach and engage with the churches and Christian communities within the Sydney College of Divinity and beyond.

Open
From within this Catholic ethos our awards are open to all, irrespective of belief.  You will be entering a learning community within a diverse multicultural and multi-religious environment.

Our Courses

For courses on offer by BBI The Australian Institute of Theological Education through the Sydney College of Divinity, please refer to their website at https://www.bbi.catholic.edu.au/learn-with-us/our-disciplines/

Please note that some courses may not be available for enrolment every year, please refer to the college’s website to see their offering for the current year.