Homeschooling in Australia
Homeschool schedule examples for every age (Australia)
There's no single right way to structure a homeschool day. These sample schedules show what a realistic day can look like at each stage, from Foundation to Year 12, so you can borrow what fits and leave the rest. Times are examples only β adjust them to your child, your family and your state or territory's requirements.
Awaiting educator review. This guide was researched from official sources but has not yet been reviewed. Requirements change β always confirm current rules with the official authority linked on this page. Information last checked 12 October 2026. Created 12 October 2026. How we review
Principles that make any schedule work
- Do the hardest thinking first. Most children focus best in the morning, so put maths and reading early.
- Short and focused beats long and drifting. Young children often manage 15β20 minutes of focused work at a time; teenagers can work in longer blocks.
- Anchor the day, not the clock. A predictable order (reading after breakfast, maths after that) matters more than exact times.
- Leave white space. Build in breaks, outdoor time and a flexible slot for catching up or following an interest.
- Review after two weeks. Keep what works and change what doesn't.
Sample day: Foundation to Year 2 (about ages 5β7)
About 2 to 3 hours of structured learning, with plenty of play.
- 9:00 Read aloud together and talk about the story (20 min)
- 9:20 Phonics or early reading practice (15β20 min)
- 9:45 Hands-on maths: counting, shapes, measuring with real objects (20 min)
- 10:05 Outdoor play and morning tea
- 10:45 Writing or drawing about something they did (15 min)
- 11:00 Project time: science, art, building, nature walk (30β45 min)
- Afternoon Free play, audiobooks, chores, library or a group activity
Sample day: Years 3β6 (about ages 8β11)
About 3 to 4 hours of structured learning.
- 8:45 Maths lesson and practice (40 min)
- 9:30 Reading: independent reading plus a short discussion or reading log (30 min)
- 10:00 Break and movement
- 10:20 Writing, spelling and grammar (40 min)
- 11:00 Science or history/geography, often as a project (45 min)
- Afternoon Art, music, sport, a co-op class, an excursion or an interest project
Sample day: Years 7β10 (about ages 12β15)
About 4 to 5 hours of focused work, increasingly self-directed.
- 8:30 Maths (60 min)
- 9:30 English: reading and writing (60 min)
- 10:30 Break
- 10:45 Science, with practical work once or twice a week (60 min)
- 11:45 Lunch
- 12:30 Humanities, a language or an elective (45β60 min)
- Later Independent reading, sport, part-time work, volunteering or a club
A short check-in each morning (what's planned, what's due) helps teenagers manage their own time.
Sample week: Years 11β12 (about ages 16β18)
Older students often work like university students: blocks of study by subject, set hours for online classes, tutoring or college courses, and time for work or volunteering.
- Mon/Wed/Fri Maths and science blocks (2 hours each), English (1 hour)
- Tue/Thu Humanities or electives, a tutoring session or an external course, exam or assessment preparation
- Weekly A planning meeting to set goals and review progress
Schedules for more than one child
- Teach together where you can. Read-alouds, science, history, geography and art often work for several ages at once, with different follow-up tasks.
- Stagger the one-on-one subjects. While you teach maths to one child, another does independent reading or practice, then swap.
- Use a workbox or checklist so older children know what to do next without waiting for you.
Weekly rhythms families use
- Four-day week: four days of core learning and one day for excursions, co-op or catch-up.
- Loop schedule: list subjects in order and simply do the next one(s) each day β nothing is ever "behind".
- Block schedule: focus on one or two subjects for a few weeks, then rotate.
- Term or seasonal breaks: many families follow local school holidays so children can join holiday programmes and see friends.
Do I have to teach set hours?
Requirements are set by each state and territory and focus on what your program covers and how you record progress. Check the guide for where you live before you settle on a timetable, and keep a simple record of what you teach.
Frequently asked questions
What time should homeschool start?
Whenever suits your family. Many families start between 8:30 and 9:30 so the hardest work happens while children are fresh, but late starts work well for teenagers who sleep later.
How long should a Foundation to Year 2 child do formal learning each day?
Often two to three hours, split into short sessions with lots of play, reading aloud and outdoor time in between.
For parents Β· free, no obligation
Know exactly where your child is at
A free academic assessment with Success Tutoring looks at your child's English and maths and gives you a clear picture of strengths and next steps β useful when you're deciding whether to homeschool, planning your first term, or checking in along the way. Available at Success Tutoring centres across Australia.
More guides
- Homeschooling in Australia
- How to choose a homeschool curriculum in Australia
- How much does homeschooling cost in Australia?
- Finding home education groups and co-ops in Australia
- Homeschooling high school in Australia
- Homeschool methods explained
- Homeschool registration in Australia
- Homeschool tutoring in Australia
- Homeschooling a child with disability or learning differences in Australia
- Homeschooling vs school in Australia
- Homeschooling while working
- How to start homeschooling in Australia
- Should we homeschool? Pros, cons and questions to ask in Australia