Michael Aulsebrook, 55, was in charge of year 7 and 8 students in 1983 when he began sexually assaulting the male student.

The County Court heard that the boy was confused about what Aulsebrook was doing and did not tell clergy until 2004, when he was involved in mediation with the church and received a payout.

Judge Tim Wood said Aulsebrook was a brother of the Salesian order at the time of the offences and later became a priest.

He said he believed Aulsebrook's remorse to be genuine.

Aulsebrook pleaded guilty to three charges of indecent assault and was jailed for two years, with 15 months of that suspended for two years.

He will be a registered sex offender for life.