Frequently asked questions
About Home Education in Queensland
Home education is where a child has an individually tailored education provided by a parent. This learning, though based from the child's home, is enhanced through the use of a variety of community resources. These include libraries, museums, art galleries, zoos, sports and recreational clubs, religious facilities, local school connections and human resources.
Home education is a legal option in Queensland. If a child is registered for home education with the Home Education Unit of the Department of Education and Training (DET), they do not have to be enrolled at a school. In fact a child cannot be enrolled at a school and be registered for home education at the same time.
Yes. If you wish to home educate your child and they are of compulsory school age or they are in the compulsory participation phase you must apply for and be granted registration. Various commercial companies and interstate bodies offer 'registration' and 'enrolment' and, while you may choose to pay for their services or materials, it is still necessary to register for home education through the Home Education Unit. Registration is free.
Compulsory school age in Queensland means the child is at least 6.5 years of age and less than 16 years of age or has completed Year 10, whichever happens first.
The compulsory participation phase starts when a young person stops being of compulsory school age and ends when the person gains a senior certificate, certificate III or certificate IV, or has participated in an eligible option for two years after compulsory school age; or turns 17 years.
An eligible option is provided by learning institutions such as state schools and non-state schools, universities, TAFE institutes or registered training organisations.
Yes. They should be registered until 17 when the compulsory participation phase ends.
Yes. While a child is registered for home education they cannot be enrolled at a school. However an agreement may be entered into between the school's principal, parent and child that allows the child to access some subjects at the school. Such an arrangement is at the discretion of the school's principal. A school may require the payment of a fee for provision of the education service. Other non-school forms of education may be accessed without affecting registration.
A parent of a child has a right to choose to home educate a child instead of enrolling them at a school. With this right comes the responsibility of registering the child with the Office of Non- State Education.
Yes. The definition of "parent " is broad and covers a variety of carers. If you are the child's chief carer, you can apply to register your grandchild and be responsible for their education.
Yes. Registration does not limit you from seeking entry or re-entry to a state school or non-state school at any time. Normal enrolment procedures apply. If you choose to discontinue the home program for any reason, you must notify the Home Education Unit and you are required to return the child's registration certificate.
With home education, parents develop or adapt their own program for their child. Parents are responsible for conducting learning activities, accessing educational resources, setting assessment tasks and monitoring the child's progress. This learning, though based from the child's home, is enhanced through the use of a variety of community resources. These include, libraries, museums, art galleries, zoos, sports and recreational clubs, religious facilities, local school connections and human resources.
Distance education through a registered school provides a program for the child. A child is enrolled and registered teachers help monitor their learning. The school provides learning materials, requires students to respond to certain learning tasks, assesses student work and monitors educational progress. The parent is the supervisor or home tutor to the child within their home.
Yes. A child can be registered for home education in Queensland providing that their usual address is in Queensland. Alternately a program can be arranged with a school of distance education.
A parent who wants to home educate their child must obtain registration for their child from the Director, Office of Non-State Education. The Home Education Unit is the contact point for parents wishing to register a child.
DET stands for Department of Education and Training. The Office of Non-State Education is a division of DET. The Home Education Unit is a section of the Office of Non-State Education.
No. Registration for home education is free.
The term 'home schooling' gives the perception of a 'school at home' and learning only in the home.The more modern term 'home education' encompasses a broader concept of learning experiences based in and from the home. Essentially there may be no difference in the two terms and they are often interchanged in current conversations and readings.
No. As you apply for registration you will need to end the enrolment at the school. Provisional registration, as an interim, measure provides the legal status for your child to be home educated.
- a letter granting provisional registration is issued in the early stages indicating you have applied to register your child for home education
- a Certificate of Registration is issued once a registration is granted
- a Certificate of Currency is issued each year. Without this certificate the Certificate of Registration will cease to be valid after the first year
- an ID card if you choose to request one
^ Top of page
Other languages