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Getting Started with Home Schooling: Practical Considerations

State by State Home Education Regulations

The following is a VERY brief summary and should be considered a stepping stone to obtaining further information.

South Australia

• Read the information on how to apply on Beverley's sahome-ed.beverleypaine.com and join the main South Australian online support group and, if you can, meet other home educatin families before you apply.
• The SA Education Act 1972 states that children of compulsory age (at least 6 years old but not yet 17 years) must be enrolled in and attending a government school or a registered non-government school in SA.
• To apply for exemption, contact the Home Education Office at Department of Education and Children's Services.
• Beverley recomments that you write own application using their forms as a guide as to what is required.
• Exemption is usually only given for 12 months, continuation dependent on a review which includes another interview.
• Learning programs are expected to align with SA Curriculum Standards Accountability Framework.
• Continued exemption from attending school is dependent on annual review.

NEW SOUTH WALES

• The Board of Studies is responsible for registering home educators. Authorised Persons (APs) oversee applications.
• Children aged 6-17 are required to be enrolled in an approved educational/training program.
• Registration is up to 2 years dependent on meeting the specified conditions, in particular meeting the NSW syllabus requirements.
• The child’s ‘year’ of education is specified on the Certificate of Registration for Home Education. BOS issues Completion of Year 10 certificates, but not HSC.
  Applications are forwarded to the Home Education Unit and include a home interview.
• Parents may apply for exemption from registration due to conscientious objection – in practice this makes little difference to the registration process.
• A renewal notice is sent about 3 months before registration expires. It is possible to do ‘renewal by documentation’ which does not include a home interview.
• There is a formal appeals process.
• Part-time enrolment at school is not possible.
• For comprehensive information on how to apply see the BOS Home Education in NSW Information Package; download applications from www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/parents/

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

• Visit the Home Based Learning Network of WA website www.hbln.org.au before applying.
• Information about how to register as a home educator can be found at www.det.wa.edu.au/education/homeeducation/registration.htm.
• Under the School Education Act 1999 all children falling within the compulsory education period (6.6 to 17 years) are required to be enrolled in an approved educational/training program.
• Parents who wish to educate their children from home are required to apply to be registered as the children's home educator.
• You need to apply by the last Friday in February in the first year of registration, or within fourteen (14) days of the last day on which the child was recorded as attending a school.
• The learning program must comply with the minimum curriculum framework for WA: www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/internet/Years_K10/Curriculum_Resources.
• Responsibility for monitoring home education programs falls to home education moderators.
• Families need to arrange for an evaluation within three months of the date of registration, and at least once in each 12 month period thereafter.
  Evaluation can take place in the family home or a mutually agreed location.
• Once the application for registration has been processed you will receive your Certificate of Home Education and a copy of the Curriculum Framework.
• There is an appeals process if your registration is cancelled.
• Details of the relevant policy and procedures can be found at http://policies.det.wa.edu.au.

Queensland

• For information and support: Qld Chapter of the HEA, email heaqldchapter@gmail.com
• Chapter 9 and Part 5 of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006
• Options: for each individual child over 6 years of age, you can either- enrol in a state or non-state school of distance education; or- register with the Home Education Unit (HEU).
• Provisional registration which allows time for the processing of the application
• Registration renewal dependent on review / annual report.
• Registration policy: http://education.qld.gov.au/strategic/eppr/students/smspr014/

TASMANIA

• Education Act, see Division 3 Home Education:http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_act/ea1994104/s17.html
• Families can commence homeschooling at any time.
• Applications through www.theac.org.au: independent advisory council responsible for registering home education program and monitoring that the requirements are met. Offers advice, suggest resources. Ask for a copy of Information on Home Education Registration and an application form.
• After application accepted, a monitoring visit is arranged. Dated work samples or detailed information of home education program to date is necessary.
• Part time school attendance not an option
• See HEA resource directory contacts and www.homeeducationtasmania.com for local support.

Northern Territory

• Education Act, section 21, www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nt/consol_act/ea104 21.1(1)(b) custodial parents 'may provide education for the child, which is efficient and suitable'
• Act requires parents to obtain consent in writing from the Secretary of Dept of Education after consideration of a prepared report by delegated officers.
• Application forms returned to Project Office, School Operations, process includes a home visit.
• Reviewed and renewed annually; portfolio of student work samples must be submitted.
• Department of Education and Training Information Booklet for Home Education at www.det.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/2651/information_booklet_for_parents.pdf
• See HEA support group listings for local contacts.

Australian Capital Territory

• Home Education Network of Canberra and the Southern Highlands www.hencast.org.au
• Education Act 2004 www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2004-17/default.asp
• Provisional registration within 14 days of ceasing school enrolment, automatically approved for 6 months. A certificate of exemption from school attendance is issued on return of application form.
• Within that 6 months (no sooner than 3 months), parents must apply in writing to register their child for up to 2 years, or return to school within 14 days.
• Combining part-time school and home education is an option.
• Home Education in the ACT www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/19389/NGSO_Home-Education-Guide_Pamphlet.pdf
• Initial interview with parents and children, and annual progress reports are required.

Victoria

• Home Education Network www.home-ed.vic.edu.au/about
• Education and Training Reform Regulations 2006, www.legislation.vic.gov.au 2.1.1 allows for home schooling, see also 4.3.9
• Information on registration: Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). Application must be on prescribed form. Registration is given within 14 days of authority receiving paperwork, dependent on conditions continuing to be met.
• Expected that children withdrawn from school will apply immediately to avoid being regarded as truants.
• Children must receive 'regular and efficient instruction' in the eight curriculum areas. No requirement to provide copies of learning programs at initial interview or review. Learning programs are not assessed.
• Notify in writing of intention to continue to home educate children aged between 6 and 18 by November 30 th each year, or if no longer homeschooling, within 14 days of ceasing to homeschool. The VRQA can review and withdraw homeschool registration if it believes there are grounds that conditions are not being met. Refusal to submit to a review may result in deregistration.

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