In Queensland, home education is a
legally recognised option where parents take on the responsibility to educate their child at home. If you want to educate your child at home, you must
apply to register them with the Home Education Unit and then report annually on their educational progress.
Latest news
Proposed changes to age eligibility under the
Education (General Provisions) Act (2006)
An amendment Bill to change age eligibility for home education has been introduced to the Queensland Parliament by the Minister for Education and the Arts.
The Education (General Provisions) Amendment Bill 2025 (the Bill) proposes to amend the current age eligibility requirement for home education registration from end of year that student turns 17 years of age to end of year that student turns 18 years of age.
The Queensland Government supports parents in their choices about the best education pathways for their children.
A key issue identified for parents and students in the home education sector has been a legislated impediment associated with the current age eligibility for home education registration.
Currently, under the
Education (General Provisions) Act 2006, students can only be registered for home education until the end of the year in which they turn 17 years of age. This has presented concerns for some students and parents who wish to continue registration for home education until the student is older.
This is significant for all home educated young people and their families and particularly for those with complex learning needs. The proposed change will reduce the regulatory burden on parents and students in the home education sector who wish to remain registered for home education until 31 December of the year in which the student turns 18 years of age.
The Bill was introduced into the Queensland Parliament on 14 March 2025 and has been referred to the
Education, Arts and Communities Parliamentary Committee for review. Please view the Parliamentary Committee website for further information, including reviewing the Bill and making a submission to the Committee.
Subject to this review and consideration by Parliament, the amendment is proposed to commence once the Bill receives assent, which occurs soon after the Bill passes through the Parliament.
If you wish to provide feedback you should do so through the Committee.
We will keep parents informed of any changes to age eligibility for home education registration resulting from the proposed amendment.
New website look
We have refreshed the Home Education unit (HEU) area to make it easier to navigate and add FAQs to help answer questions that come up often.
How did we do? Please help us to keep improving the HEU area by
providing your feedback.
We are working on a major update of content and format in 2025 and will consult about the changes.
Customer experience research
The HEU is working with a government research team to better understand parents' user experience when interacting with home education registration services and how a new digital solution could help save them time and effort.
Parents' insights will be collected through 6 focus group sessions held in November and December 2024. A targeted expression of interest, to attend an in-person session, will be sent to parents who have recently participated in the application or reporting processes.
The
Home Education Expert Group will be invited to provide their insights into these findings and explore possible solutions to improve parents' experience.
Home Education Expert Group (HEEG) and review
An independent reviewer led a stakeholder-informed review of home education in 2024. The review considered parents’ experiences, opportunities for regulatory improvement, and supports for home education families. The Home Education Expert Group (the HEEG), a parent representative group, informed the review and will continue to meet until mid 2025.
Please visit the review page for information and updates on the review and the HEEG.
Registration
You can register your child for home education if they are the right age and they aren't also enrolled at a state or a non-state school. You need to have a home address in Queensland and be your child's parent or legal guardian.
To be eligible for home education, your child should be between 5-and-a-half years old and 17 years old by 31 December this year.
You will be responsible for providing a high-quality educational program to your child. You may also engage a registered teacher to deliver your child's educational program.
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