Hillsong 'using schools for recruitment'

The Christian evangelical church Hillsong has been accused of secretly making a push to convert public school students in New South Wales.

The NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens Association says it has received a number of complaints from teachers and parents concerned that Hillsong is using public schools as a recruiting ground.

Federation president Dianne Giblin says the church is using its young people to go into schools and host barbecues called 'Exo days' in about 30 schools across the state.

Ms Giblin says religious education is strictly defined under the Public School Act.

"There's a section in the Act that says there's not to be more than one hour of special religious education a week," she said.

"These are coming under the disguise of cultural events or even PD [personal development], health and PE [physical education] sessions.

"We believe the content is not known to the department and the content should be known. All our curriculum content is known and we feel that they should take some action."

NSW Greens MP John Kaye says he has also received a number of complaints from teachers.

Mr Kaye says the new Education Minister, Verity Firth, should step in.

"The Education Department is calling it a cultural event but that's not true. It's an event which is designed to convert children to the Assemblies of God religion."

Hillsong declined to comment when contacted by the ABC.