Homeschooling in Australia: how it works in each state and territory

Every state and territory allows parents to educate their children at home, provided they meet that jurisdiction's requirements. In most places this means registering with, or getting approval from, a government authority before your child leaves school.

Because education law is made at state and territory level, the details differ – including what you submit, how often you report, whether there is a home visit and how long registration lasts.

There is no national homeschool registration. You register (or seek approval or an exemption) only with the authority where you live, and if you move interstate you will need to meet the new jurisdiction's requirements.

• New South Wales: NSW Department of Education (Home Schooling Directorate) – nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/home-schooling
• Victoria: Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) – vrqa.vic.gov.au
• Queensland: Department of Education, Home Education Unit – education.qld.gov.au
• Western Australia: Department of Education, through local Education Regional Offices – education.wa.edu.au
• South Australia: Department for Education (home education is approved as an exemption from school) – education.sa.gov.au
• Tasmania: Office of the Education Registrar – oer.tas.gov.au
• Australian Capital Territory: ACT Education Directorate – act.gov.au
• Northern Territory: Department of Education – nt.gov.au

Each jurisdiction defines the ages at which a child must be enrolled at school or registered for home education. As a guide, based on official sources:

• NSW: from 6 until the child completes Year 10 or turns 17, whichever comes first.
• Victoria: home education registration covers children aged 6 to 17.
• Queensland: from 6 years and 6 months until the child turns 16 or completes Year 10, whichever comes first.
• Western Australia: from the start of the year a child turns 5 years 6 months to the end of the year they turn 17 years 6 months (or reach 18).
• South Australia: the compulsory school years are described as 6 to 17.
• Tasmania: a child who is at least 5 as at 1 January must be enrolled at school or home educated.
• ACT: home education registration is for children aged 6 to 17.
• Northern Territory: from 1 January of the year a child is 6 as at 30 June, until they turn 17 (or complete Year 10 and take part in an approved option).

Older students may also have participation requirements (for example being in education, training or work), so check the details for your child's age.

The Australian Curriculum is developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). States and territories decide how and when to implement it, and some – including NSW (NESA syllabuses) and Victoria (the Victorian Curriculum) – publish their own curriculum documents.

Whether home educators must follow a particular curriculum depends on where you live. For example, NSW requires programs to be based on NESA syllabuses, while Victoria says you do not have to follow the Victorian Curriculum as long as you substantially address the required learning areas.

The Australian Curriculum can still be a helpful planning reference for any family, wherever they live.

While the rules differ, most jurisdictions ask for some combination of: an application with a learning plan or program, a home visit or meeting, regular reporting or review, and periodic renewal.

In most places your child must stay enrolled at school until home education is approved – so check your authority's process and apply early.