Preparing an application

Deciding to educate your child at home is a major decision. There are a number of areas you should consider, investigate and research prior to this choice. Questions you might ask yourself include:

• Am I aware of the legislative requirements related to home education registration?


• What are the reasons for considering home education?


• What will be the impact of moving from a parent/child relationship to a more complex parent/teacher/child relationship?


• Am I able to provide a high-quality education suited to my child's individual learning needs, abilities, special interests and long term goals?


• Do I have the required time and resources to teach my child and provide personalised support for their learning?


• Am I able to access the variety of resources needed to support my child's education and promote enthusiasm for learning?


• What opportunities will I plan to monitor my child’s educational progress?


• Will there be regular opportunities for my child to develop meaningful relationships with a variety of people and their peers?


• Will our home environment be conducive to learning and largely free of disruptions and distractions?

Registration for home education is a full-time legal learning option available for parents to education their child. Other education options for a child of compulsory school age include enrolment in either:

• a mainstream school (either state or non-state)
• a school of distance education (either state or non-state) which provides an education program that is completed at home.

For a child in the compulsory participation phase, it may be possible for them to pursue participation in another eligible learning option.

Parents with school-based concerns are advised to contact the school’s principal initially to discuss the many specialists who can provide educational support and guidance. A solution may be found without withdrawing your child from school. If serious and ongoing circumstances exist, you should contact your Regional Education Office.

For more personal concerns that may be affecting your child or your family, help may be obtained by visiting your GP, other specialists, government agencies or counselling services.

No. There is no fee to register your child for home education. However, applicants should consider the hidden costs associated with this form of education, including:

• the impact on employment when becoming a home educator
• your ability to fund access to a variety of educational resources
• the cost of accessing specialist services or funding which may have been available within mainstream schooling systems, but are no longer available to you as a home educator.

There are two types of application methods possible. The first is applying for registration under section 208 of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (the Act) using the online Application for registration for home education. Please note that there is a temporary form for use during the COVID-19 pandemic that removes the requirement for certification and witnessing of documents at this time. Provisional registration under section 212 of the Act is usually issued upon receipt of the application by the Home Education Unit (HEU). The application is then processed and if all procedural requirements are met and the chief executive is satisfied the standard conditions of registration will be complied with, registration is issued. The provisional registration expires if the registration is granted.

The second method involves an application for provisional registration only. This application is made under section 207 of the Act. The provisional registration issued with this application automatically ends after 60 days. The child is not issued with a registration for home education. The first method generally streamlines the registration process and means that the parent does not have to make two applications. Please contact the HEU if you require further information.

It is recommended that a child remain enrolled at school until the day you can provide the Home Education Unit (HEU) with all necessary documents described in the application form. Please ensure that you have obtained the required signatures and certifications. When you are satisfied that your documentation is in order, submit the application to the HEU. Only at this time should you end your child's school enrolment. A child cannot be simultaneously enrolled at a school and provisionally registered or registered for home education.

A notice granting provisional registration is issued indicating you have applied to register your child for home education. A certificate of registration for home education is issued for your child, and posted to you if the registration is granted.

If official documentation has not been received from the HEU at a time that it is required by an authority, please contact the HEU so confirmation of your application can be arranged.

Yes. Should registration be refused, an information notice is posted to you by registered mail and you will have a right to request a review of the decision.

Before deciding to purchase privately produced or commercial curriculum materials for your child, it is recommended that you carefully consider your child's specific learning goals and their preferred learning style.

To avoid unnecessary expense and disappointment, it is recommended that you invest considerable time evaluating the worth of any resource that you are considering purchasing. Given the wide range of low cost or free educational materials, you may find the purchase of a 'ready-made' curriculum an unnecessary or limiting approach to home education. If you base your child's home education around a 'ready-made' curriculum, you will need to advise the HEU of the strengths that this will bring to your child's education and explain how you will adapt the program to cater for your child's individual needs.

Textbooks may be a resource that can be utilised in your child's home education program. However, in order to provide a variety of well-chosen learning opportunities, it is recommended that home education programs are not entirely based around textbooks. Instead, these programs should reflect the use of a variety of resources which together satisfy your child's learning needs. The regular inclusion of practical, hands-on tasks is essential to enhance learning and maintain your child's interest in their education.

If you need more information about planning your child's program, please contact an education officer at the Home Education Unit who will be able to offer suggestions, directions and information as you prepare the application. The HEU will not provide a program or provide school work for your child.