When your child turns 16 years old or finishes Year 10, they enter the compulsory participation phase. This means they need to be participating in:
- an approved education or training program (which may include home education)
- paid employment
- a combination of these.
You are responsible for designing your child’s senior secondary pathway.
For eligibility requirements, visit the
Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) website or the website of a school, university, TAFE institute or other registered training organisation that provides an approved education or training program.
If your child is registered for home education and turns 18 before the end of the year, they’ll be able to remain registered until 31 December, as long as you’re still complying with the standard conditions of registration.
My child and the Queensland Certificate of Education
You can read more about the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) in our
frequently asked questions.
My child and a school-based apprenticeship and traineeship
A
school-based apprenticeship and traineeship (SAT) is employment-based training that combines practical, on-the-job training with a theoretical component, usually conducted by a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). Young people completing a SAT are paid for the hours they work while they build industry knowledge and skills.
You should contact Queensland Home Education before your child starts any school-based apprenticeship or traineeship opportunities.
To participate in a SAT, a child registered for home education should be in the compulsory participation phase (16 years old or the equivalent of Year 10, 11 or 12).
Children in the compulsory schooling phase (not yet 16 years of age or the equivalent of Year 10) may sometimes be eligible for a SAT if a business case is approved. The Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider managing the case will be able to provide further information about completing a business plan.
If your registered child is offered the opportunity of doing a SAT, you must notify Queensland Home Education. One of our managers needs to approve any SAT opportunities offered to a child registered for home education.
To support the SAT, you must provide an agreed schedule of school studies, training and paid employment (ETES), endorsed by Queensland Home Education. You should complete the ETES and return it to Queensland Home Education so a manager can sign and date the school notification form before the SAT begins.
If your child's registration for home education ends before they finish the SAT, the SAT can be transferred to a full or part-time option.
For further information about this option, contact the
Department of Trade, Employment and Training.
My child and TAFE at School
TAFE at School enables young people to work towards joining the workforce sooner by gaining a nationally recognised qualification while they are still registered for home education.
TAFE at School courses are designed to work with a child’s existing educational program in the compulsory participation phase. In some instances, children in the compulsory schooling phase (not yet 16 years old or the equivalent of year 10) may be considered for a place in the TAFE at School program.
TAFE will notify Queensland Home Education when a child's registration in a TAFE at School program is pending so one of our managers can approve it.
For further information, please contact TAFE at School to discuss your options.
My child and work experience
A
work experience agreement is a formal arrangement. The agreement means that children registered for home education can participate in an unpaid, short-term placement with businesses or organisations. While they’re doing work experience, children observe different aspects of work within their chosen industry and may help with tasks allocated by their supervisor. They should not perform any activities that require extensive training or expertise.
To participate in work experience, your child must be at least 14 years old, and they must also be registered for home education. Children can do work experience for up to 30 days in a calendar year. Queensland Home Education may also approve work experience of more than 30 days for a child with disability.
You will need to put your child's work experience arrangements in writing. One of our managers must then approve these arrangements before your child starts their work experience placement.
Getting approval from a manager in Queensland Home Education is important because it makes sure your child has appropriate insurance cover before starting work experience. If your child starts work without approval from one of our managers, they will not be insured.
Registered home-educating parents should contact us at least 3 weeks before the child starts any work experience placements.
You should complete the work experience forms and send them to Queensland Home Education at least 10 business days before the work experience is supposed to start.
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