Homeschooling in New South Wales

NSW uses the term home schooling. It means a parent takes responsibility for their child's education at home instead of enrolling them at a government or registered non-government school.

The legal basis is the Education Act 1990 (NSW). Children of compulsory school age must either be enrolled at a school or registered for home schooling.

Responsibility for home schooling registration now sits with the NSW Department of Education. You may still see older guidance that names the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) – check the department's home schooling pages for the current position.

• Apply online through the department's Home Schooling Platform. You need a Service NSW account using the same email as your child's registration details.
• Each child needs their own application. You will be asked for identity documents for your child, proof of your NSW address and any relevant court or guardianship documents.
• An Authorised Person contacts you to arrange an assessment, usually a home visit. They look at your planned educational program and the learning environment, and your child is normally sighted during the visit.
• The Authorised Person makes a recommendation and the department makes the final decision. If registration is refused, an internal review can be sought.

Applications can be made at any time of year. If you cannot apply online, contact the Home Schooling Directorate for help.

Your child's educational program must be based on, and taught in accordance with, the relevant NESA syllabuses – for example the minimum curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 6, or for Years 7 to 10.

The guidelines also expect the program to suit your child's learning needs, and for the time and resources you give it to be adequate.

NSW is progressively introducing new syllabuses. The department publishes information for home schooling families about how curriculum reform affects them.

You must keep records showing how your child's educational program has been delivered and how the registration requirements are being met.

When you apply to renew, an Authorised Person reviews those records. Registration lasts for a maximum of 2 years, and a first registration is often shorter because some requirements can only be shown once the program is under way.

Children may be registered up to the age of 18, and the guidelines include arrangements for completing the planned program. There is also specific guidance about recognising completion of Year 10.

Do not withdraw your child from school until registration is in place. Until your child has a current certificate of registration, they must remain enrolled at and attending a school.

Because assessment can take several weeks, the department recommends applying around 3 months ahead of when you want to begin.

The department publishes the registration guidelines and support material for families, including information on curriculum reform.

Registered home schooled students may be able to take part in NAPLAN – the NSW Government publishes information about how this works.

For questions about your own situation, contact the Home Schooling Directorate using the details on the NSW Government home schooling pages.