Homeschooling in Australia
Homeschool registration in Australia: state and territory summary
Every Australian state and territory has its own process for registering or approving home education. This page gives a short, plain-language summary of each one with a link to the official authority. Processes change, so always check the authority's website for current requirements before you apply.
Awaiting educator review. This guide was researched from official sources but has not yet been reviewed. Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the official authority linked on this page. Information last checked 10 October 2026. Created 10 October 2026.
New South Wales
Authority: NSW Department of Education – Home Schooling Directorate (nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/home-schooling).
Apply online through the Home Schooling Platform; an Authorised Person assesses your application, usually with a home visit. Processing can take up to 12 weeks, your child must stay enrolled at school until registered, and registration lasts up to 2 years.
Sources
- Home schooling – NSW Government (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Submitting an application – NSW Government home schooling (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Home schooling registration at a glance – NSW registration guidelines (checked 10 Oct 2026)
Victoria
Authority: Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) (vrqa.vic.gov.au).
Submit an application with a learning plan covering the eight learning areas; the VRQA must decide within 28 days of a complete application. Your child stays enrolled at school until registration is approved.
Sources
- Register to home educate – VRQA (checked 10 Oct 2026)
Queensland
Authority: Department of Education – Home Education Unit (education.qld.gov.au).
Apply at any time using the approved form, including a summary of your child's educational program. Registered families submit an annual report on their child's progress and an updated program summary.
Sources
- Registering for home education – Department of Education (Qld) (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Reports – Home education, Department of Education (Qld) (checked 10 Oct 2026)
Western Australia
Authority: Department of Education, through local Education Regional Offices (education.wa.edu.au).
Lodge the registration form with your regional office – within 14 days of leaving school if your child is leaving a WA school. A moderator holds an initial evaluation within 3 months, then annual evaluations.
Sources
- Register for home education – Department of Education WA (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Evaluation meetings – Department of Education WA (checked 10 Oct 2026)
South Australia
Authority: Department for Education – home education (education.sa.gov.au).
Home education is approved as an exemption from school, after an application with a 12-month learning program covering all 8 learning areas and a home visit. Exemptions are usually granted for 12 months and then reviewed.
Sources
- Guide to home education in South Australia – Department for Education (checked 10 Oct 2026)
Tasmania
Authority: Office of the Education Registrar (oer.tas.gov.au).
Apply at any time with a home education program addressing the Standards; the Tasmanian Home Education Advisory Council advises the Registrar. Registration lasts 12 months and families reapply each year.
Sources
- Guide for new home education registrations – Office of the Education Registrar (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Guide for renewing home education registrations – Office of the Education Registrar (checked 10 Oct 2026)
Australian Capital Territory
Authority: ACT Education Directorate (act.gov.au).
Apply online for children aged 6 to 17; you can begin once a complete application is submitted. Registration lasts up to 2 years, with a Home Education Report due each year by 31 December.
Sources
- Home education (home schooling) – ACT Government (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Home education registration renewal – ACT Education Directorate (checked 10 Oct 2026)
Northern Territory
Authority: Department of Education (nt.gov.au).
Apply online through Territory Services and receive approval before you start. Approval is valid for one school year, so families reapply each year.
Sources
- Home education – NT.GOV.AU (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Apply for home education – Territory Services (checked 10 Oct 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Is registration the same in every state?
No. Each state and territory runs its own process, with different documents, timeframes, visits and reporting. See the summaries above and check your authority's website.
Sources
- Home schooling – NSW Government (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Register to home educate – VRQA (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Registering for home education – Department of Education (Qld) (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Register for home education – Department of Education WA (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Guide to home education in South Australia – Department for Education (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Guide for new home education registrations – Office of the Education Registrar (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Home education (home schooling) – ACT Government (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Home education – NT.GOV.AU (checked 10 Oct 2026)
Should I withdraw my child from school before applying?
Generally no. In NSW, Victoria and the NT, for example, your child must stay at school until home education is registered or approved. Check the rule where you live.
Sources
- Submitting an application – NSW Government home schooling (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Register to home educate – VRQA (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Home education – NT.GOV.AU (checked 10 Oct 2026)
How often do I need to renew?
It varies: annually in Tasmania, the NT and (usually) South Australia, and up to every 2 years in NSW and the ACT. Victoria's registration does not have a fixed renewal cycle described in the same way – check with the VRQA.
Sources
- Guide for renewing home education registrations – Office of the Education Registrar (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Home education – NT.GOV.AU (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Guide to home education in South Australia – Department for Education (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Home schooling registration at a glance – NSW registration guidelines (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Home education registration renewal – ACT Education Directorate (checked 10 Oct 2026)
- Register to home educate – VRQA (checked 10 Oct 2026)
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