Home Schooling
Change to compulsory school age
Amendments to the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 came into effect on 1 January 2010. The purpose of these amendments is to change the compulsory school age from 16 to 17 years of age.
Home schooling registration is compulsory for any child who is currently between 6 and 17 years of age. Registration is not available for any child who is 18 years or older on 1 January 2010.
Registering to home school
Parents wanting to home school a child (aged 6 to 17) are required to register the child with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.
The registration process requires an application form be submitted which is signed by the parent responsible for ensuring the home schooling of the child and accompanied by evidence of the child’s date of birth. Home schooling registration is compulsory for children aged 6 –17 and optional for those aged 18.
You must register where:
- A child is of the compulsory school age. (6-17 years)
- When a child reaches 6 years of age during the year.
Application form for Registration for Home Schooling
Support materials for the registration for home schooling in Victoria - A detailed overview of registration requirements for home schooling families, including relevant sections of the Act and Regulations.
It is optional to register where a child is currently between 17 and 18 years of age.
You cannot register where:
- A child has already turned 18 years of age or
- It is past November and you wish to apply for a child who will have turned 18 before January 1 of the next year.
As a condition of registration, home schooling parents must provide regular and efficient instruction that will substantially address learning in the areas of:
- The Arts
- English
- Health and Physical Education (including Sport)
- Languages other than English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Studies of Society and Environment
- Technology
Parents may find the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) useful as a reference point, see VELS (http: //vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au).
Notification for following year
As a condition of registration parents whose children are currently registered for home schooling are required to notify the VRQA in writing before close of business on November 30 each year as to whether the child is to be home schooled in the following year.
Change of details
If there are any changes to the details provided in the application, such as a change in residential address, home schooling parents are required to inform the VRQA as soon as practicable.
Cancellation
If a parent decides to cease home schooling their child they are required to notify the VRQA in writing within 14 days.
Further information
For further information about registration for home schooling, please contact us by phone on 9651 3293 or by email: home.schooling@edumail.vic.gov.au or see Frequently asked questions.
Distance Education Centre Victoria (DECV)
Certain materials produced by the Distance Education Centre Victoria are available in print form for a fee to registered home schoolers of compulsory school age. For information, including a list of available materials see DECV or Phone (03) 8480 0000.
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD)
Visit the home schooling page of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website:
- Home schooling (www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/enrolling/homeschool.htm)
- Partial Enrolment for Registered Home Schooling Students Guidelines (PDF - 26Kb)
- Partial Enrolment for Registered Home Schooling Students - Frequently Asked Questions (www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/enrolling/hspartenrolfaq.htm)