How to Homeschool In Australia: Beginners Guide

We get many questions on how to Homeschool In Australia and the legal side of homeschooling in Australia. 

If you want to learn about homeschooling in Australia, you’re in the right place. This article covers all about registration, facts, and figures related to homeschool. We have also provided links to all the possible social support groups for you to feel at ease. We tried to answer all the questions that will help you to get started homeschooling in Australia.

In my opinion, home education is the best for kids because the school curriculum is not necessarily beneficial for tiny toddlers. Mothers know it well when they are ready to learn and want to discover new chapters of life. Mums are considered the first teachers of the kids. 

In recent years, Covid has also played a crucial role in homeschooling. Many families tried homeschooling during the pandemic.

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling means your children learn at home rather than at school. Parents are responsible for their education rather than any outside organization.

In the beginning, you’ll find it a bit difficult because it is a different concept than schools. Homeschooling is very interesting and forgiving; you and your child decide the chapters, the subjects, boundaries, grading system, etc. 

With homeschooling, you can do it in the way you like with no boundaries because you understand your kid and their interests better than an organization. It is also very personalized. Unlike organizations and schools that focus on hundreds of students, homeschooling concentrates solely on your child. 

Many parents engage their kids in various activities like reading books, doing many curriculum activities, experiments, traveling, and exploring the outdoors in their community or Australian homeschooling groups. 

What is Distance Education vs. Homeschooling?

Distance Learning means your child enrolls with a school but doesn’t go to the school. They send you the work, and you do it at your home.

After completing, send the result and the price of the project back to the school. They provide you a report card with grades without actually having to attend classes in the school. One more thing, they often have online courses to attend.

Please remember one thing: in distance learning, you need to submit the projects, assignments, and exams on time. 

 Here is the link if you want to know more about Distance education in Australia.

Long-distance learning is also considered homeschool in Australia. Alone, Queensland and Western Australia have more than 5000 students doing distance education.

Homeschool involves only registering to homeschool, and you can choose your content and style to educate your child.

About Homeschooling Registration In Australia

You have to know that homeschooling registration and actual registrations are two different methods, and both need to be addressed. Many people waste too much time learning about the registration process, but it is not tough to enroll your kid in homeschooling.

Second, don’t worry about rejection. Only 0.27% of applications for not providing a good plan are rejected. If you put reasonable efforts into your project, you have a big chance of getting approved.

Is It Legal To Homeschool In Australia? Or Is Homeschooling Legal In Australia?

Yes, Home education is a legal alternative where a child between the age of 6 to 15 needs to be home educated or enroll in school within all Australian states and territories.

Below are the conditions to register homeschool:-

• If you want to register for homeschooling in Australia, you must first apply to the State or territory you are living.
• You can’t register for homeschool (in Australia) if you live overseas.
• The Mother or father who will be the teacher in homeschool can register each child separately.

Here is a link that helps you better in homeschool registration and reporting in Australia. It is step-by-step information about planning, recording, and everything you want to know about homeschool registration in Australia.

Let’s start to help you master homeschool in Australia! Before starting your journey to homeschool, many parents feel overwhelmed about curriculum and other practicalities. But you have to keep these essential things in mind!

These things might pressurize you into opting out of homeschooling:

• There is a lot of paperwork to complete and decisions to be made.
• You or your partner might not be entirely interested in homeschool.
• You’re dealing with an anxious or irritated child who doesn’t want to attend the homeschool.
• There are many friends and family members who do not support homeschooling.

Despite all these reasons, you have decided to homeschool. No need to worry; take a few deep breaths and think about the tasks ahead. There is plenty of assistance to help you out with every problem you face while homeschooling in Australia.

Why do Australian Homeschooling?

Twenty years ago, It sounded bizarre when we talked about homeschool in Australia! Many people didn’t know it was an option to keep your child out of school. In the last decade, homeschooling has rapidly grown in Australia. Covid also gives a push to homeschool. Many families tried homeschool and are fully satisfied with it.

Nowadays, homeschooling (known as home education) is on the rise in Australia. You know approx. 30000 Australian families currently run homeschool. If you have chosen homeschool, then apply to the state or territory authority for homeschool permission. 

Below are the reasons why more people are choosing to educate their kids at home:-

• The Kid is suffering from mental health.
• Travel
• Religious beliefs
• Geography or financial reasons
• Your child enjoys a healthy Environment
• You want Flexible Time Management
• Kids can be eligible for Special scholarship Opportunities
• Kids are safe from bullying
• Dissatisfaction with school

Many parents have more than one reason for homeschool. A family who begins homeschooling to escape bullying realizes that their child is doing better academically and socially in homeschool.

Few parents begin homeschool because their child isn’t doing well academically and socially but is good at homeschool. Few parents believe school starts too early and don’t want their tiny kids to be exposed to bullying, early sexualization, become habitual of drugs and alcohol, 

Even many parents think the school doesn’t provide the necessary academic environment. According to PISA, the school results are not satisfactory. Hence, the home environment is considered the critical factor in academic success.

Homeschooling Legal requirements For Territories and States In Australia

Each state has its own set of rules & regulations. Below is the information about specific State:-

1. New South Wales

First, fill and submit the registration form with a plan, one for each child. It would help if you addressed NSW Curriculum for your child’s needs plus mention your choice of approach to cover the content.

An authorized person will visit your place to assess your learning plan, intended recording, and reporting methods. It’s recommended to have an impartial third person in the meeting.

The registration process can take 3 to 24 months. Renewal for the new year is similar. For the revival of the registration form, you’ll have a second meeting where you show a sample of work done; plus provide a writing assignment of the children and your plan for upcoming sessions.

2. Homeschooling in Queensland

Same as above, you register with the Home Education Unit between your child’s ages 6.6 – 17 years. Submit the registration form with a plan of education for the year, certified identification, and the certified Statutory Declaration for each child.

Here is an excellent workshop about theme planning and methods.

3. Victoria

If You want to register with KROQ, you need to fill an application form, ID, and a learning plan for your child between the age of 6 to 17 years. Only 10% of students are selected and reviewed every year.

4. Homeschooling in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory accepts homeschool applications for a limited period, two times a year, for children aged 6-17. You have to fill an application form with a weekly learning plan and identification documents.

5. Tasmania

Suppose you’re living in Tasmania and want to register for homeschool there. Then you’ll register with the office of the Education Registrar Website. You can get Part-Time registration also. Just download and fill the registration form.

6. Homeschool in Western Australia

Suppose you’re planning for homeschooling in Western Australia, then register with the WA Department of Education. Their legal requirements for registration homeschool are-your child should be from ages 5.5 to 17.5 and not enrolled in school and distance education.

8. Canberra

Once you submit the registration form with an excellent educational plan for homeschooling, the Education Directors decide within 28 days. 

9. South Australia

Homeschool registration in South Australia is different than in other states of Australia. South Australia homeschooling legal requirements are-you should be resident of South Australia, and your child’s age should be 6 to 17 years. First, you need to be enrolled in a South Australia school and then get an exemption.

Financial Support for Australian Homeschoolers

Suppose you have four or more children and receive Newstart proof of homeschooling registration. You’ll get exemptions and chances of work.

Help for Isolated Children

This help is for parents and carers of children who can’t afford local school because of geographical isolation, disability, or special needs.

Apart from that, WA residents can claim the Secondary Assistance Scheme. NT residents get free swimming lessons. Queenslanders receive the Textbook and Resource Allowance, and Territories/states can claim the Back to School Payment Scheme and Secondary Assistance Scheme.

Australian Homeschool Groups 

You have to join a homeschool group near you. Even if it doesn’t suit you, you can talk to families in a similar situation. But if there is no homeschooling group, you get help from community centers, your local library, and online groups.

Here is a list of Australian homeschool blogs and Instagrammers. You can download Beverley’s Support Group Directory here. Check out these all and join one that suits you.

End Point

You can get mastery in homeschool if you wish so. Enjoy learning and experimenting with kids. It can make a much easier and exciting job. I have mentioned all the possible aspects that will help you how to homeschool in Australia.

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