The way religion is taught in Victorian primary schools will be overhauled after a report found that volunteers from the state's key provider Access Ministries breached its guidelines.

A Department of Education investigation found that Access Ministries volunteers gave out between 16 and 18 copies of Refuel 2, a so-called "Biblezine", at a Christmas performance at Torquay College in December last year.

Naja Voorhoeve complained to the department after her seven-year-old mildly autistic son, who was not enrolled in special religious instruction (SRI) classes, was given the Refuel 2 magazine by another student.

The magazine-style publication preaches religious and biblical messages to teenagers, in a format used extensively by American evangelical groups.

Ms Voorhoeve said the magazine contained homophobic material and endorsed a Christian-only lifestyle.

"[It tells boys] how to land a jet plane, and how to put out a fire in an oven," Ms Voorhoeve said in February.

"But it also tells them that you can't have relations with non-Christians and specifically that their relationships have to be with girls."

Access Ministries barred from school functions

The Department commissioned consulting firm PWC to write a report on the incident.

The report states that Access Ministries volunteers did not know that non-SRI students were present when the "Biblezines" were given out.

However, in a summary of the investigation the provider was found to be in breach of regulations:

"The content and distribution of the Biblezines is inconsistent with the relevant Volunteer Agreement and Team Leader's Guide; the Education and Training Reform Act 2006; and the Department's Schools Policy and Advisory Guide (SPAG), Supporting Sexual Diversity in Schools Policy and Human Resources Policy on Same-sex Attracted Employees."

As a result of the PWC investigation, Access Ministries volunteers will only be allowed to attend SRI classes, not other school functions such as Christmas parties.

It will also "clarify and communicate the authorising framework and procedures in relation to the conduct and approval of SRI; and clarify the framework and procedure for religious themed events".

The department has also requested that Access Ministries' training and instruction material be updated.

In a statement, Access Ministries said it accepts the finding of the investigation by PWC.

"The key finding serves to confirm our understanding and earlier response in regards to this incident, in that the unauthorised material was not approved by Access Ministries for distribution at Torquay College or for that matter at any school," it said.

"It also confirms that while our policies and procedures were regrettably not followed, there was also some inconsistency in compliance with DEECD policies and procedures by others."

A new directive issued by Education Minister Martin Dixon earlier this month also prohibits instructors from offering gifts to students and rules that religious materials cannot be displayed or distributed in Victorian government schools.

Access Ministries receives about $735,000 a year from the Victorian Government to provide SRI and for chaplaincy programs.

More answers needed: Naja Voorhoeve

While the one-page summary has been provided to interested parties including the media, a spokesman has told the ABC that the report will not be released in full because of legal and privacy reasons.

Access Ministries in Victoria Contracted to provide 30 minutes of religious instruction to each class level in state primary schools each week.

Contracted to provide 30 minutes of religious instruction to each class level in state primary schools each week. Classes are held in school time and are undertaken by Access Ministries volunteers.

Classes are held in school time and are undertaken by Access Ministries volunteers. A teacher from the school must be present during the classes.

A teacher from the school must be present during the classes. Parents can opt in to the program.

Parents can opt in to the program. Students who are not allowed to attend are removed from the classroom for other activities.

Students who are not allowed to attend are removed from the classroom for other activities. Costs the State Government more than $730,000 every year.

The ABC understands Access Ministries is not named in the summary at its request, but Access Ministries is the only Christian-related instruction provider for Victorian primary schools.

Ms Voorhoeve said she wants more answers from the department.

"The summary fails to identify the organisation responsible for distributing the Biblezines," Ms Voorhoeve told the ABC via email.

"The entire summary is based on the premise that the Biblezines were distributed by the SRI provider, however, since that provider is not named this information cannot be verified.

"In particular, the Department of Education has not clarified the role of the school chaplain in the distribution of Biblezines."

Department will not endorse Access Ministries curriculum

The SRI curriculum does not currently require approval from the Education Department, and that is unlikely to change.

It is likely, however, that there will be greater oversight of SRI materials.

A revised consent form is also expected to be released which clarifies what is being offered with a link to the Access Ministries material, so parents can get a better idea of what is being taught.

Access Ministries is currently taking legal action against the parents' group Fairness in Religions in Schools (FIRIS) after it posted samples of the curriculum on its website, and claimed it is a breach of copyright.

"Access Ministries holds the copyright of the Christian Religious Education (CRE) materials," it said in a statement.

"We are very disappointed to see this clear breach of copyright law. In line with our rights under law we have asked that the material be removed within 21 days."

FIRIS spokesperson Scott Hedges said the curriculum was posted to inform parents.

"There should be absolute transparency," he said.

"People shouldn't be surprised that their kids are in what amounts to Sunday school on a Wednesday."