Homeschooling offers an alternative to traditional schooling, allowing parents to tailor their children’s education to their unique needs and interests. Homeschooling in Australia is legal across all states and territories, each with specific regulations and guidelines. The number of families choosing to homeschool has seen a significant increase, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2024, over 45,000 Australian students are homeschooled, more than double the number before the pandemic.
Many parents choose homeschooling for a variety of reasons, including the ability to tailor education to their child’s individual needs, provide a supportive environment for children with special needs, or protect them from bullying and negative social experiences. Health concerns, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, have also played a role, as some families seek safer learning environments.
Additionally, homeschooling offers flexibility for families with unique lifestyles, such as frequent travel or rural living, and allows for the incorporation of religious or philosophical beliefs. Dissatisfaction with the school system, including overcrowded classrooms and rigid curricula, has led some parents to take a more hands-on approach to their child’s education, contributing to the rise in homeschooling across Australia.
Getting Started with Homeschooling in Australia
Before embarking on the homeschooling journey, it’s essential to understand the distinction between homeschooling and distance education, as well as the legal requirements in your state or territory.
Homeschooling vs. Distance Education
While both homeschooling and distance education provide alternatives to traditional schooling, they differ in structure and responsibilities.
- Homeschooling: Parents take full responsibility for planning and delivering their child’s education, selecting and adapting the curriculum, and teaching materials, and setting the learning schedule. Homeschooling is typically registered and regulated by the state’s education authority.
- Distance Education: In contrast, distance education involves enrolment in a registered school that delivers the curriculum remotely. Students follow a structured program provided by the school, with teachers responsible for marking assignments and providing feedback. Distance education is usually used in remote or isolated areas or for students unable to attend school in person due to medical or other reasons.
Basic Homeschooling Requirements
In Australia, homeschooling regulations vary between states and territories, but there are some common requirements across the country. It can take up to twelve weeks to get approved.
- Registration: Parents must register their child for homeschooling with the relevant state education authority. Each state or territory has its own process for registration, which typically involves submitting an educational plan.
- Educational Plan: Parents are required to provide an outline of the educational program they intend to deliver. This plan should demonstrate how the curriculum will cover key learning areas and meet the educational standards of the state.
- Annual Reviews: In most states, homeschooling registrations are reviewed periodically. Parents may need to provide evidence of progress, which can include work samples, assessments, and a record of the child’s learning.
- State-specific Requirements: While there are general guidelines, each state has its own specific requirements:
- New South Wales (NSW): Registration through the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) involves submitting an educational program aligned with the state curriculum.
- Victoria: Parents must register with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and provide an annual report.
- Queensland: Parents register through the Home Education website and submit an educational plan for approval.
- Western Australia: Parents must register with their local education office and demonstrate how they will meet the Curriculum Framework requirements.
- South Australia: The Department for Education manages registration, and parents must submit an educational plan for approval.
- Tasmania: Registration is handled by the Office of the Education Registrar, with ongoing reviews.
- Northern Territory: Parents apply through the Department of Education and submit an annual report.
- ACT: Parents register with the Education Directorate and provide documentation of the child’s learning progress.
Many online resources and social media groups can help you with registration and curriculum planning.
You can design your own as long as you show the outcomes, or you can purchase a complete course that meets the expected outcomes. Some have the option to be purchased with or without the religious component.
Pros and Cons of Homeschooling
- PRO: Personalised Learning: Homeschooling allows for a curriculum tailored to a child’s learning style, pace, and interests, fostering a deeper understanding and love for learning.
- PRO: Flexible Schedule: Families can set their own schedules, accommodating travel, extracurricular activities, and other commitments without the constraints of traditional school timetables.
- PRO: Stronger Family Bonds: Spending more time together can strengthen family relationships and create a supportive learning environment.
- PRO: Control Over Educational Content: Parents can choose materials and teaching methods that align with their educational philosophy and values.
- CON: Time and Commitment: Homeschooling requires significant time and effort from parents, which can be challenging, especially for those balancing work and other responsibilities.
- CON: Socialisation Concerns: Some worry that homeschooled children may have fewer opportunities to interact with peers, potentially affecting social development.
- CON: Financial Impact: The cost of educational materials and the potential loss of income if one parent reduces work hours can be financial considerations.
- CON: Limited Access to Resources: Homeschooling families might have less access to facilities, extracurricular activities, and specialised support services available in traditional schools.
Common Misconceptions About Homeschooling
- Lack of Socialisation: Contrary to the belief that homeschooled children are isolated, many participate in community groups, sports, and co-op classes, providing ample social interaction.
- Homeschooling Is Only for Religious Families: Families choose homeschooling for various reasons, including academic needs, special education requirements, and lifestyle preferences.
- Homeschooling Is Easier Than Traditional Schooling: Homeschooling demands dedication, organisation, and a commitment to continuous learning from both parents and children.
My Homeschooling Experience
I have homeschooled two of my kids. And both experiences were as similar as they were different. A big part of my decision to agree to homeschool my kids was my philosophical differences with the curriculum and where the focus of institutionalised education lay. There wasn’t a lot of wiggle room for kids who learned differently or didn’t aspire to academic greatness. And I had one hard and fast rule with my kids.
You don’t need straight A’s, but please at least pass, and don’t get suspended.
My middle child (in every sense of the word) was experiencing some difficulties at school. I discovered one of the teachers had been bullying him and that was the final straw for me. I made the decision, went through the process, and informed the school I was removing him.
I received a lot of pushback from the school, and a few mistruths to make me doubt myself. But I didn’t waver. And a visit from an Authorised Person from NESA where I showed where he would be studying, and what he would be studying (I bravely decided to make the lessons myself) and we were off.
It wasn’t easy. He challenges me on the best of days. But we worked it out.
My youngest had school avoidance anxiety (now called School Can’t) and it was a struggle every day to get them to go to school. So, homeschooling it was. The process was easier because I’d gone through it before. The pandemic made the registration process quicker because the authorised person did the face-to-face over the phone.
Homeschooling in Australia offers a flexible and personalised approach to education, allowing families to create a learning environment that best suits to their children’s needs. While it presents certain challenges, the benefits can be substantial for well-prepared and committed people. It’s crucial for prospective homeschooling families to thoroughly research and understand the requirements and resources available in their state or territory to ensure a successful educational experience for their children.
