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:
- apply for registration for your child, using the approved application for registration for home education form (Opens in new window)
- continue to meet the standard conditions of registration which include the submission of an annual report demonstrating the educational progress of your child.
Read more about your rights and responsibilities as a home educator.
What home education children can and can't do
Home education students can:
- receive a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
- sit the National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests
- undertake a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship
- complete work experience
- receive the Textbook and Resource Allowance
- access school dental services
- participate in district and regional sports
- access Scootle, a web based resource bank providing access to digital teaching and learning content.
Home education children cannot:
- receive an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)—children must be enrolled in Year 11 and 12 in a state school, non-state school or a school of distance education to gain an ATAR score.
How to apply for registration
Applications for home education registration can be made at any time during the year.
To apply for registration:
- complete the online application for registration for home education form (Opens in new window) or
- complete the print version application for registration for home education form (DOCX, 104KB).
Please note the online link and a 2nd print version of the application form—application for registration for home education during COVID-19 (DOC, 239KB)—are temporary and for use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The form removes the requirement for certification and witnessing of documents and is for use during the declared pandemic until such time as it is withdrawn from the Department of Education website. - include all documents and information outlined in the application form (e.g. a copy of the child's proposed educational program, a certified copy of the child's full birth certificate).
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.