How much does homeschooling cost in Australia?

In Australia, home education is generally funded by the family. There is no general payment simply for homeschooling. The VRQA in Victoria, for example, states that it does not provide financial support to home schooling families, and instead points families to other avenues such as Centrelink payments and the Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme.

Some targeted support does exist for particular families and circumstances, which is covered below. It is worth checking, but most families should plan on meeting the main costs themselves.

A great deal of good learning costs little or nothing:

• The Australian Curriculum. ACARA publishes the curriculum free online, which helps you see what is typically taught at each year level and plan your program.
• Public libraries. Books, audiobooks, and often online databases, events and holiday programs, all free with a library card.
• Everyday maths and science. Cooking, shopping, measuring, gardening and building at home are rich, low-cost learning.
• The outdoors. Parks, beaches, bushwalks and nature study cost little beyond transport.
• Free online resources. Many reputable educational organisations publish free materials. Our resource directory lists some.
• Swapping and second-hand. Local home education groups often share, swap or sell used books and materials.

Costs vary so much between families that a single figure would be misleading. Instead, it helps to think in categories and budget for the ones that apply to you:

• Curriculum and books. Anything from free materials to purchased programs for one or more subjects.
• Stationery and materials. Paper, art supplies, science equipment and printing.
• Technology and internet. A suitable device, a reliable internet connection and any software or subscriptions.
• Activities and classes. Sport, music, swimming, art or language lessons, and home education group activities.
• Excursions. Entry fees, transport and occasional overnight trips.
• Tutoring or specialist help. Some families pay for help with subjects they find hard to teach, or for senior subjects.
• Assessments or courses for senior years. Older students may take courses or tests as part of a pathway into further study.

Write a simple budget for your first year, start with essentials, and add extras once you know what your child actually uses.

For many families, the largest cost of homeschooling is not curriculum but income. If one parent stops work or reduces hours to teach, that change usually outweighs all other expenses combined.

Before deciding, it can help to model a few scenarios: both parents working with shared teaching, one parent part-time, or one parent at home. Consider the effect on superannuation and career as well as weekly income.

Some families also have costs they would not have with school, such as higher home energy use or more household food during the day, while saving on others such as uniforms, school fees, before and after-school care and daily commuting.

• Start small. Do not buy a full year of materials before you know your child's learning style.
• Use the library first. Borrow before you buy.
• Buy second-hand and share. Many resources work across several children or can be resold.
• Mix free and paid. Spend money where it matters most to your child and use free resources elsewhere.
• Join a group. Group excursions and shared classes can attract group rates and share the organising.
• Plan excursions around free days and local places. Museums, galleries and community events sometimes have free entry or free programs.
• Check concessions. If you hold a concession card, ask about concession pricing for activities and travel.

The Australian Government's Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme, paid through Services Australia, includes a Distance Education Allowance. It is not a general homeschooling payment: it is for children who cannot reasonably attend an appropriate school, for example because of geographic isolation or a special need.

Based on Services Australia's information, eligibility includes that:

• you and your child meet the AIC eligibility rules, including residence rules;
• your child meets an isolation condition, such as being geographically isolated, having a special education need, having no reasonable access to a school, or meeting a continuity condition;
• your child is studying full time at home (or an acceptable alternative) in an approved course through an approved home schooling or distance education provider.

Services Australia says home schooling can count as approved study when the education is provided in the family home and you are registered with your state or territory education authority. Students who travel to school each day from home cannot get the Distance Education Allowance.

Rates and detailed rules are on the Services Australia website. Check them, and the current eligibility rules, before you claim.

A few states offer targeted help that can include registered home-educated students. Eligibility, amounts and claim windows change, so check the official page each year.

• Queensland: the Department of Education's Textbook and Resource Allowance and the Back to School Boost include arrangements for children registered for home education.
• Western Australia: the Department of Education's Secondary Assistance Scheme can be available to eligible home-educating families with students in Years 7 to 12 who hold an eligible concession card.

Queensland's home education guidance also suggests that families consider their capacity to pay for educational resources when deciding whether home education suits them.

Other states and territories may have their own concessions or programs. Ask your local home education authority what applies where you live.