The group that provides chaplains and Christian religious instruction to Victorian schools expects a surge in demand after the federal government revealed plans to remove the option for schools to hire a non-religious welfare worker.

Accounts filed by Access Ministries showed it has already reaped the benefits of increased federal chaplaincy grants, which have turned around its finances after running at a loss for four consecutive years.

The government has allocated $245 million over five years for the national chaplaincy program in the budget.

The latest financial statement from Access Ministries showed it was given $5.7 million by the federal government for the 2013 calendar year, compared with about $5 million for 2012.

The government has allocated $245 million over five years for the national chaplaincy program in the budget.