Home education

With home education, parents develop or adapt their own program for the child. The parent or a registered teacher engaged by the parent provide the education to the child. The parent or registered teacher plans, implements and monitors the child's educational progress from one year to the next.

With distance education, a parent enrols their child in a school of distance education and a school program is provided by that school for the child. Teachers monitor the child's learning and a teacher from the school reports on the child (as in mainstream schools). The parent is the supervisor or home tutor to the child within their home.

Compulsory school age in Queensland means the child is at least 6 years and 6 months and less than 16 years of age, or has completed Year 10, whichever happens first. All children in Queensland must be either enrolled in a state or non-state school, or be registered for home education during their compulsory school years.

The compulsory participation phase starts when a young person stops being of compulsory school age and ends when the person gains a certificate of achievement, senior statement, Certificate III or Certificate IV; or has participated in an eligible option for 2 years after compulsory school age; or turns 17 years. Queensland children who are in the compulsory participation phase must be enrolled at and attend a school or be engaged full-time in an eligible option, or be registered for home education or working full time.

Yes. If you wish to home educate your child and they are of compulsory school age or in the compulsory participation phase, your child must be registered for home education. Each state and territory has its own legislation regarding registration for home education.

The home education of a child must be provided by one or both of the child's parents or a Queensland registered teacher.

Home education must take place primarily at a child's usual place of residence.

No. There may be some group situations such as a weekly swimming lesson or a community art lesson that may be included in your child's program without you having to be the teacher. It is possible that a registered teacher setting up group learning for home educated children could be regarded as a 'school' and require accreditation. To seek accreditation for a non-State school, an application must be made to the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board.

No. A child enrolled at either a state or non-state school of distance education cannot be simultaneously registered for home education.

Yes. A child cannot hold simultaneous enrolment at a school and be registered for home education. However, on occasion, an agreement may be formed between the school, parent, and child allowing the child to access some activities or facilities at school. Such an agreement is at the discretion of the school's principal. The school may require that you pay a fee for any access. If you consider your child needs to attend a school for more than a few hours per week then you should consider an enrolment or flexible enrolment with the school and hence surrender your home education registration.

Yes. Non-school forms of education such as TAFE may be accessed part-time without affecting registration. To access a TAFE component the child would need to be eligible under the institution's enrolment conditions. For more information, contact your local TAFE.

Yes. You can surrender the registration and enrol your child at a state school at any time. The school's enrolment procedures would apply.

Parents of children registered for home education who are age equivalent to Years 7 to 12 are eligible for the annual Textbook and Resource Allowance if it was not previously paid to a school due to a child's earlier enrolment in the year. In addition, you may like to contact Services Australia, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the National Disability Insurance Scheme and/or the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors (Qld) to check if there is any financial or other support your family may be eligible for.

Parent associations or groups specifically related to home education may be active in your local community or online. Searching the internet and social media for 'Queensland home education associations' or 'Queensland home education support' may assist you.

You should always consider the individual needs of your child when planning for their home education, including the support and resources you choose to access.