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Home schooling is a viable, educational alternative which appears popular in other countries, especially the United States, and which seems to be gaining increasing popularity in Australia. Home schooling provides an alternative educational solution for people holding particular beliefs, or having genuine concern about specific circumstances relating to an existing situation. It is most certainly not just a simple and easy solution for any problem that may exist.
Those considering involvement in this process must understand there are not only potential benefits but also responsibilities associated with such a decision. Removing a student from a situation causing major concern is only the first step. Then come the obligations linked to legal requirements and most importantly, the effective ongoing education of your child, as this will affect not only their education but future life. It must be done with due care and understanding for it to be effective. Done properly, it can work very well. Done wrongly, it may have devastating consequences.
This page looks at Home Schooling programs, registration, support groups and other information for all Australian states & Territories. Registration, Support Group and Other Information is provided in separate listings within each section.
The Second Page looks at beginning home schooling, home schooling blogs, magazines and journals, research, specialist areas and other general information. Some Australian material is included in these sections.
The Home Schooling Resources page provides a range of resources from Australia and overseas.
Select the relevant page for information by using the links above or the page number links at the top of this section.
If you are aware of any worthwhile information which is not included, suggestions or additions are welcome and will be given due consideration.
States & Territories
Australian Capital Territory
Registration Information
-
Home Schooling [ACT]
Legislation, FAQs, registration, publications, support & services. - Registration Process
Other Information
- A Guide for Parents
Home Education in the ACT. -
FAQs
Commonly asked questions with relevant responses. - Manual - Registration of Home Education in the ACT
-
Support & Services
Lists support programs available and their contacts.
Support Group Information
- Christian Home Education Canberra
‘This site has been established as a means of communicating within our group and with people who are interested in home education in the ACT’. Subscription required for membership sections. Provides contacts and resource information which are open to the public. - HENCAST
‘A network of home educating families from Canberra, Queanbeyan, Bungendore and surrounding areas. We have members from all walks of life with varying beliefs who are home educating their children in a variety of ways’. Membership Registration is fee-based. Email network link available to members. Information on legislation, articles, regular meetings, more. - Support Information - ACT
Several contacts are provided which may be of use.
New South Wales
Registration Information
- Board of Studies Manuals and Forms
PDF files. Home Education Information Pack. Various application forms.
Other Information
- Enrolment of Students Policy
NSW Department of Education & Training. - Legal Issues in NSW
Select this from the listing provided.
Support Group Information
- Support Groups & Contacts - NSW
Lists a range of Support Groups, Associations and individual contacts which may be of use.
Northern Territory
Registration Information
- Home Education [NT]
Contact information, application information, Parent Information Pack. - Home Education Application
Download an Application Form here. - Information Booklet
Other Information
Support Group Information
- Support Groups & Contacts - NT
Lists a small number of contacts which may be of use.
Queensland
Registration Information
- Home Education
‘Maintained by the staff of the Home Education Unit to support the parents of Queensland who home educate their children. The Home Education Unit assists parents with the registration. It is Free to register for home education.’ There is also specific information about :
- Registration
Includes a link to an Application for Registration form. - About Home Education
- Preparing an Application
- Reporting
- Other Information
- Contact Details [HEU]
- Access to Newsletters
- Home Education Advisory Committee [HEAC]
Other Information
- Home Education Policy
- Home Schooling [Qld]
Preface followed by procedures and schedule. - Queensland Education Act Review
Information on, and downloads of, the Education [General Provisions] Act 2006 and Education [General Provisions] Regulation 2006. Includes information on Home Schooling. - Queensland Legal Information
‘Legislation about homeschooling in Queensland’.Includes FAQs.
Support Group Information
- Connecting Queensland Home Schoolers
‘A social networking website for all Queensland Home Schoolers, information and chatting on the main forum relates to all. The website also houses various interest groups’. Free to join, but you need to join to access contents. These include My Page, Members, Forum, Events, Groups [including New Homeschoolers Group], Blogs and more. Some groups listed at the right of the Home page. - Support Contacts - Qld
Lists a range of Support Groups, Associations and individual contacts which may be of use.
South Australia
Registration Information
-
Home Education [DECD]
Department of Education & Child Development. programs, condition of approval, legal requirements, process, changes, Transition to Year 8, contact details.
Other Information
- Home Schooling [SA]
From Flinders University. - Learning Without School
One process through the book/program by this name. Other links and information. Join a Yahoo Group and be informed when new books are available. -
Open Access College
‘Home-schooled students who need access to the SACE curriculum’ are able to apply for enrolment. Details from the college
Support Group Information
- Home Based Learning South Australia
‘HBLSA Newsletter is a “non-profit” co-operative effort by homeschoolers to help families in South Australia [and beyond] stay in touch with each other and share information about activities and events local resources’. At this point, primarily provides a contact point and access to a newsletter, including newsletter archives. - Support Groups & Contacts - SA
Lists a relatively small number of contacts which may be of use.
Tasmania
Registration Information
- THEAC Home Page
What is Home Education ?, curriculum, resources, Information Sessions, Registration and Monitoring.
Other Information
- Home Education Support Service
Tasmanian Department of Education Online. Information including the Registration Program. Provides access to Resources including through TALIS. Access over 27 000 items.
Support Group Information
- Home Education Tasmania
‘A community designed for everyone who is either home educating, being home educated or has an interest in home education in Tasmania’. Appears free to join. You need to be able to log in to access most of the extensive material which is included : Forums, Chatrooms, Blogs, Clubs, Members List, Downloads, Assistance, etc.. - Support Contacts - Tas
Lists a relatively small number of contacts which may be of use.
Victoria
Registration Information
- Home Schooling [Vic]
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Registering to home school, Addressing Key learning Areas, Partial Enrolment, Home Schooling Roundtable. - Support Materials for the Registration of Home
Schooling in Victoria
‘To assist home schooling families and the broader community in understanding the conditions of registration for home schooling in Victoria’. - Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
Registering to Home School, notification processes, Changes to Details, Cancellation of Home Schooling, other information, Financial support and concessions, Application Form, Resources. You must register through this group.
Other Information
- Changes to Victorian Legislation for 2007
‘The process has substantially rewritten legislation as it pertains to state schools, as well as to home education in that state.’ Fact sheets, other information. - Home Based Programs
‘Grants for home based educational programs. Please note that only severely disabled students not able to attend school will be considered for support through this program.’ - Home Schooling Round Table
‘To build on the achievements of the Home Schooling Advisory Committee.’ You can download a copy of the Report from the Home Schooling Roundtable here. - Information for Principals
A short statement providing support and recommendations for principals. - Otherways : Home Education Network
Forum, news, reviews of legislation, journal, Legal Information, activities, resources, events, age levels, … . - Partial Enrolment for Registered Home Schooling Student Guidelines
- Victorian Legal Information
Support Group Information
- Otherways : Home Education Network
‘Our aim is to provide support and information for people wishing to educate their children from a home base’. Subscription required to join but this provides access to all sections including their magazine, discounts and other benefits. Some sections are open to the public including a list of Support Groups with contact information. There is an extensive listing categories on the left of the Home page. - Support Groups & Contacts - Vic
Lists a range of Support Groups, Forums and individual contacts which may be of use.
Western Australia
Registration Information
- Home Education [WA]
Covers all aspects, including Registration, Educational Programs and Resources.
Other Information
- Home Education Advisory Panel Policy
Access a copy here. - Home Education Policy
Access a copy here.
Support Group Information
- Home Based Learning Network
‘HBLN seeks to meet the growing needs of all families in the home based community here in Western Australia’. Subscription required for membership which provides access to a range of resources, discounts, etc.. There are also Forums, extensive articles, an Events Listing, a Support Network listing [with contacts], Blogs and more. - Support Groups/Contacts - WA
Lists a small range of Support Groups and Associations and a longer list of individual contacts which may be of use.
Australian Information
Activity Test Exemption
- Activity Test Exemption
‘Information on automatic exemptions for principal carers with special family circumstances.’ Extensive. Covers ‘principal carer parents in receipt of NSA or YA as a job seeker.’ -
Home Educating and Centrelink Benefits
‘The following information if provided as a starting place for those home educating families affected by changes to Centrelink benefit provisions. It is of a general nature only and is not intended as personal or professional advice’ - Home Educators
Provides the accepted definition of home educators. Scroll down for this.
Discussion Groups
Discussion groups for those involved, or interested, in home education. You need to be a member to access the material included.
- ADF Home Education
Australian Defence Force families. - Australian Home School
- Australian Homeschool
Campers
‘For Australian homeschooling families interested in going on camping treks together.’ - Australian Unschoolers
- Buddhists Homeschoolers
- Education
Resources
‘For teachers, homeschoolers, educators, tutors, students of all grade levels [K-12] anyone involved in the field of education or just someone who has a love of knowledge and learning.’ - HENASD
‘A group initiated by the Home Education Network for the mutual support of parents home educating children the autistic spectrum’. - HomeschoolAustraliaFAQ
- Homeschool Freebies in Australia
- Homeschool Victoria
- Learning Naturally
Yahoo Groups site. Based on one group of families activities. - Liberated Learning
‘Children set free’. - Muslim Home Education Network Australia
- Rockpool Homeschool
‘Rockpool Homeschool is a supportive social networking site with a lively discussion forum for homeschooling parents primarily from Australia and New Zealand’. - South Australian Country Homeschoolers
- Waldorf Inspired Homeschool Support
‘The Waldorf Inspired Homeschool Support list is a place for Australian families of similar interests to come together’.
General Sites
- Aussie Homeschool
‘A Free online community for all Australian homeschool [current, past, enquiring or potential] parents. The purpose and vision of Aussie Homeschool is to connect Australian homeschoolers from every town and state ! There is opportunity to buy and sell resources, to give and receive encouragement, to share, to laugh, and to learn with other like-minded people.’ - Australian Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Home Schooling Network
Facebook page for this group. - Australian Home Education Directory
Getting started, curriculum, research, methods & styles, resources & learning materials, suppliers. Find legal information and contacts in each state/territory.
There appear to be some problems with this site. It will be maintained only until the next update unless these are resolved. - Australian Homeschool Legal Advisory Service
‘Providing legal advice and information to homeschoolers. Find out about your rights under the law and protect your family.’ Links to information for all states and territories, both legislation and advice. - Australian Home Based Learning - Suite101
Recent articles, favoured web sites, topic pages, discussions, related topics, courses [top right], book recommendations. - Australian Homeschool Network
‘At the Australian Homeschool Network my intent is to promote and foster the skills, interests and knowledge of our National Home Educating community, allowing this information to reach as many Australian Homeschoolers as possible’. - Children’s Education Links
Annotated links to home schooling sites, resources and other information. -
Home Education Association Inc. [Australia]
‘To promote the practice of home education in Australia and to provide members with benefits which would be difficult to obtain by individuals or smaller groups’. Their Frequently Asked Questions and Articles pages [click on Articles in the top menu and select the relevant section] are worth visiting, as is their Local Support Contacts page. - Homeschool Australia !
This has remained one of the best Australian sites and Beverley Paine is certainly someone who knows what homeschooling in Australia is all about. This is a site you should not miss. - Homeschooling [Natural Parenting, Sydney]
A mix of information and links covering a range of homeschooling aspects. - Home Schooling - Case Study
Pearson Education. What it is, Why choose it, benefits, criticism, regulations by state & territory, support, resources. - Homeschooling Downunder
While there are extensive resources available through this site, there is also ‘helpful homeschooling advice’ covering getting organised and teaching skills. -
Leaping From The Box
‘Homeschooling and Unschooling email lists, support groups, message boards, forums and newsletters for those practicing home education in Australia, including Brisbane, Queensland, Perth, Sydney, and Victoria. Locate fellow homeschoolers. Make new friends. Share resource ideas and curriculum/textbook information’. - Natural Learning Australia
‘We offer a dynamic information network to those already home educating and a welcoming, encouraging environment for those exploring their education options. Natural Learning Australia is a place for families to connect and to build communities’. - Search Engine [Australia]
Enter Homeschooling to access significant information.