Book excerpt: Australia is a dynamic contemporary society comprised of a diverse range of cultures, faiths and beliefs. While the number of Australians identifying with Christianity has been declining in recent decades, two in three Australians currently identify with a religion or have spiritual beliefs, with Christianity being the largest religion. Faith and belief continue to be an integral part of contemporary Australian society and therefore need to be supported in the public arena. Special Religious Education (SRE) provides an important opportunity to integrate religious education into the Australian educational system. This report outlines the importance of maintaining SRE while ensuring that programs are developed within a reflective and critical lens. Programs should also consider the Australian Government's nine key values and all the key recommendations from the 2015 government review. Implementing these recommendations will strengthen young people's personal identity and convey the importance of special religious education for their moral and ethical development. [Executive summary, ed]