Home education

About home education

In Queensland, registration for home education is a legally recognised alternative to enrolling your child in school.

You can choose to provide the home education to your child or engage a Queensland registered teacher.

To be eligible for home education, your child must be at least 5 years and 6 months and less than 18 years on 31 December in the year registration takes effect. A child cannot be simultaneously registered for home education and enrolled in a school.

You need to apply for and be granted registration to home educate your child. Once registered, you become legally responsible for providing your child with a high-quality education.

Read about home education legislation.

Your responsibilities

To register your child for home education, you will be required to:

Read more about your rights and responsibilities as a home educator.

What home education children can and can't do

Home education students can:

Home education children cannot:

How to apply for registration

Applications for home education registration can be made at any time during the year.

To apply for registration:

If you do not complete the online form, post your application to:

Home Education Unit
PO Box 3710
South Brisbane BC QLD 4101

Your child should remain enrolled at school until your application for registration has been submitted to the Home Education Unit.

Once your application is received, provisional registration will be issued. You will receive a Certificate of Registration for Home Education if registration is granted.

Preparing an educational program

A summary of the child’s educational program is to be included with the application.

Registration for home education is subject to the standard conditions of registration including ensuring the child receives a high-quality education.

Although not mandatory, the following guide is provided to assist in demonstrating compliance with this condition of registration. The summary of the educational program includes material that demonstrates it:

  • is responsive to the changing needs of the child as indicated by the short and long term educational and personal goals
  • has regard to the age, ability, aptitude and development of the child concerned
  • is conducted in an environment conducive to learning
  • is responsive to the child’s need for social development
  • uses suitable and relevant teaching strategies to deliver the educational program to the child
  • engages the child in a range of rich and varied learning experiences
  • is supported by sufficient and appropriate resources
  • uses strategies for monitoring educational progress.

Read more about preparing an educational program.

Reporting your child's progress

Reporting the educational progress of your child is a condition of registration. The written report is due each year, in the 10th month of the registration and should include:

  • details of learning experiences
  • the progress towards the achievement of learning goals
  • comparative work samples over time to assess your child's educational progress

Read more about meeting your reporting requirements.

Contacts

Contact the Home Education Unit for further information about home education in Queensland.