Registration

​​​​​​​You can register your child for home education by completing an online or paper application form (the approved form) before submitting it with supporting documents to the Home Education Unit (HEU).

The child is provisionally registered while the application is under consideration. Notification of provisional registration will be issued via email.

Decisions about applications may take up to 90 days. Once a decision is made, notification of registration will be issued via email.

Application for Registration for Home Education form

​The application for registration can be submitted online or via paper.

The online ​application for registration for home education is compatible with desktop c​omputers and tablets. Submission of the online application is not compatible with mobile phones.

The paper-based application for registration for home education form removes the requirement for certification and witnessing of documents. Paper-based applications can be submitted by post or email.

The approved form outlines the supporting documentation required, including:

• evidence your child is eligible for registration for home education and you, as the applicant, are a parent of the child (e.g. usually a copy of your child’s birth certificate)
• a completed and signed declaration
• a summary of the educational program to be used
• other documentation may be necessary such as
• documentation linking the name on the application form to the name on the child’s birth certificate
• documentation showing that you have been granted parental responsibility.

For registration to remain current, you must continue to comply with the standard conditions of registration which are that you:

• continue to provide high-quality education for your child
• submit an annual written report on the educational progress of the child, at least 2 months but not more than 3 months before each anniversary of the registration
• notify any change of address of your child's usual place of residence within 28 days of the change using the change of personal details for home education form (DOCX, 88KB)​.

Provisional registration up to 60 days

You are able to register your child for home education for a period of 60 days without providing a summary of the educational program or any reporting requirements.

• Notification of provisional registration will be issued as soon as is practicable after receiving the application.
• The HEU endeavours to notify applicants of provisional registration within 2 business days via email.
• The child is registered as of the date of notification from the HEU.

An application for provisional registration must be made in writing and include the following information:

• the applicant's name
• ​the child's full name and date of birth
• the address of the child’s usual place of residence
• a written statement declaring the child is not enrolled in a state or non-state school

This must be accompanied by evidence (usually satisfied by the child’s birth certificate) that:

• the child is eligible for provisional registration for home education
• the applicant is a parent of the child (or exercising parental responsibility).

It is also recommended to provide a contact phone number and email address at the time of application in case the HEU needs to contact you.

• Registration made under section 208 of the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (the 'Act').
• Provisional registration​ made under section 207​ of the Act.

Summary of the educational program

A written summary of the educational program for your child should demonstrate that your child will receive a high-quality education.

A high-quality education program can be demonstrated in a variety of ways. As a guide, you may wish to consider whether your program addresses the following matters:

• ​is responsive to the changing needs of the child as indicated by the short and long term educational and personal goals
• has regard to the age, ability, aptitude and development of the child concerned
• is conducted in an environment conducive to learning
• is responsive to the child’s need for social development
• utilises suitable and relevant teaching strategies to deliver the educational program to the child
• engages the child in a range of rich and varied learning experiences
• is supported by sufficient and appropriate resources
• uses strategies for monitoring educational progress.

The HEU offers general information about planning a program. Templates are available to assist in the completion of the summary of the educational program. The use of these templates is not mandatory.

Planning formats

• Template 1 – Australian Curriculum (ACARA) home education program, Template 1 example
• Template 2 – Goal-directed home education program​, Template 2 example
• Template 3 – Thematic home education program, Template 3 example

Surrendering regist​ration

You are able to surrender your registration at any time by written notice to the HEU.

The surrender takes effect on the date the notice is given, or on a later date if stated in the notice.

If at the time of the surrender your child is enrolled or an application for enrolment has been made at a state or a non-state school, you must notify the HEU of the school’s name.

A child who is registered or provisionally registered for home education may not be simultaneously enrolled at a state or non-state school.