Home schooling registration
Successful home schooling is characterised by a high level of commitment, research, time and energy that is focused on the child’s learning needs. It is a long-term schooling option and requires considerable planning to satisfy NESA requirements for home schooling registration.
NESA issues a certificate of home schooling registration if registration is approved.
Under the Education Act 1990, a child's education is primarily the responsibility of their parents. A parent may choose home schooling as a legitimate way of providing for the compulsory schooling of their children.
The parent is responsible for the educational program's:
- planning
- preparation
- delivery.
Home schooling means that the parent takes responsibility for educating the child, primarily in the child’s home. Home schooling does not mean operating like a school in the home. As long as you continue meeting the registration requirements, you have flexibility about when and how you educate your child.
Children residing in NSW may be registered for home schooling:
- at the beginning of a calendar year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July of that year
- up to the age of 18 years, and for a continued period of up to 2 years in order to complete the planned educational program based on NESA’s syllabuses.
Note that in NSW, children younger than 6 and older than 17 are not required to be:
- enrolled in a government or registered non-government school, or
- registered for home schooling.
Travel
Home schooling in NSW must occur primarily in the child's home. It does not apply to families who are travelling for an extended period of time.
Parents who are planning to travel may wish to contact the NSW Department of Education to discuss their options, which may include enrolment in Distance Education.