NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell has described the link between climate change and bushfires burning throughout the state as a "philosophical debate".

In comments that placed her at odds with the Environment Minister, Ms Mitchell said the government's "focus for the immediate period of time" should be supporting communities affected by the bushfires and drought rather than debating the causes of those events.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell says the government's focus should be on helping communities affected by the bushfires and drought rather than debate the causes of those events. Credit:Louise Kennerley

"At the moment, the discussion isn't around what we should be talking about in terms of climate change, we should be focusing on supporting those communities," Ms Mitchell said in an interview with ABC radio.

Ms Mitchell said she believed in climate change, adding, "It is important that we, as a society, act in relation to these matters.