Homeschool Canberra · Australian Capital Territory
Homeschooling in Canberra
10 local places and programs we've checked for homeschool families in Canberra — museums, libraries, nature programs, excursions and local groups. Programs, dates and prices change, so check each provider's site before you plan a visit.
New to homeschooling in Australian Capital Territory? Start with our guide to the rules, browse the full Australia resource directory, or read about finding groups and co-ops.
Reading activities
- FreeAll ages
Libraries ACT
The ACT's public library service, with branches across Canberra offering free membership, story times (including bilingual and sensory sessions), Giggle and Wiggle, school holiday programs and printable activities for kids. Check the site for current session times and bookings.
Visit library.act.gov.au ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Science experiments
- PaidAges 4–18
Questacon school and group bookings
Self-guided visits to the hands-on galleries at Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre, booked through the Book Canberra Excursions website during ACT school terms. Group bookings are aimed at schools and organised groups, so ask whether a home-education group can book; check the site for current dates and prices.
Visit questacon.edu.au ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Educational excursions
- Free + paid optionsAges 5–18
National Museum of Australia onsite school programs
Curriculum-linked programs at the National Museum of Australia, including educator-led sessions, guided tours and a free teacher-guided tour option for Foundation to Year 12. Programs are written for school groups, so ask whether a home-education group can book; check the site for current dates and prices.
Visit nma.gov.au ↗ (opens in a new tab) - FreeAges 5–18
Australian War Memorial school visits
Curriculum-linked programs facilitated by Memorial educators, such as The Past in the Present for younger students and Go Back to the Source for Years 5–12, with time to explore the galleries afterwards. Bookings are required and programs are written for school groups, so ask whether a home-education group can book; check the site for current dates.
Visit awm.gov.au ↗ (opens in a new tab) - PaidAges 10–18
National Library of Australia school programs and guided tours
Educator-led programs for Years 5–12 at the National Library, linked to Australian Curriculum content and built around the library's collections. Programs are booked as school groups, so ask whether a home-education group can book; check the site for current dates and prices.
Visit nla.gov.au ↗ (opens in a new tab) - FreeAges 8–18
Parliament House school tours
School visits to Parliament House combine a guided tour of the building and chambers with a hands-on Parliamentary Education Office program in which students role-play debating a bill. The program is for primary and secondary schools, so ask whether a home-education group can book; check the site for current dates.
Visit aph.gov.au ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Outdoor learning
- PaidAges 3–18
Australian National Botanic Gardens ranger-guided programs
Hands-on, enquiry-based sessions led by rangers covering botany, habitats and Indigenous plant use, from preschool to Year 12, plus self-guided teacher notes. Programs are booked by school groups through Book Canberra Excursions, so ask whether a home-education group can book; check the site for current dates and prices.
Visit parksaustralia.gov.au ↗ (opens in a new tab) - PaidAges 3–18
National Arboretum Canberra education programs
Facilitated programs on trees, ecology, sustainability and geography for preschool to Year 12, including Meet the Trees, Walk Around the World, orienteering and kite making. Programs are written for school groups, so ask whether a home-education group can book; check the site for current dates and prices.
Visit nationalarboretum.act.gov.au ↗ (opens in a new tab) - Free + paid optionsAll ages
Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve ranger-guided activities
Ranger-led walks about the reserve's plants, animals, wetlands and cultural heritage, bookable by schools and organisations for groups of 10 to 30. The reserve also runs school holiday programs for children; check the site for current dates and prices.
Visit tidbinbilla.act.gov.au ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Parent support communities
- FreeAll ages
ACT Education Directorate home education support and services
The ACT Education Directorate's page listing support for home-educating families, including community groups such as the Home Education Network of Canberra and the Southern Tablelands (HENCAST) and Christian Home Education Canberra (CHEC, a faith-based group).
Visit education.act.gov.au ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How homeschooling works in Canberra
In the ACT, children of compulsory education age must be enrolled with an education provider or registered for home education with the Education Directorate. Registration can last up to two years, and families submit a Home Education Report for each child every year.
Homeschooling in Canberra: common questions
Is homeschooling legal in Canberra?
Yes. In the ACT, children of compulsory education age must be enrolled with an education provider or registered for home education with the Education Directorate. Registration can last up to two years, and families submit a Home Education Report for each child every year.
Where can homeschoolers go for excursions in Canberra?
Options we've checked include Questacon school and group bookings, National Museum of Australia onsite school programs and Australian War Memorial school visits. Many programs are designed for school groups, so ask whether homeschool families or groups can book, and check current dates and prices.
Do libraries in Canberra help homeschoolers?
Libraries we've listed for Canberra include Libraries ACT and National Library of Australia school programs and guided tours. Check each library's site for membership, programs and online learning resources that homeschool families can use.
Can I get homeschool tutoring in Canberra?
Many families use a tutor for a tricky subject, senior study or test preparation. Our homeschool tutoring guide explains when it helps and what to ask. Success Tutoring runs learning centres around Australia — check successtutoring.com for a centre near Canberra.
Extra help in Canberra
If your child needs support in a particular subject, our homeschool tutoring guide explains when a tutor helps and what to ask before you sign up.