Frequently asked questions
Application process
- Can home schooling parents register if they live interstate or overseas?
- Do applications have to be originals?
- What documentation providing evidence of birth is acceptable?
- Is a passport of the child acceptable as evidence of birth?
- Does a doctor’s attestation have to take a particular form?
- Does evidence of birth documentation have to be the original?
Can home schooling parents register if they live interstate or overseas?
No. Only parents resident in Victoria are able to register their child or children for home schooling.
Do applications have to be originals?
Yes, an application form must be original. While parents can send a fax, it must be followed up with a hard copy. The Act specifically requires an application.
What documentation providing evidence of birth is acceptable?
Acceptable documentation is a birth certificate, an extract of entry or an attestation from a doctor.
Is a passport of the child acceptable as evidence of birth?
No. As a passport is a secondary source of evidence it is not acceptable.
Does a doctor’s attestation have to take a particular form?
Yes. A letter from a doctor is not evidence of date of birth. However, the intention of the Regulations is that the age of the child is given. It could therefore be argued that a doctor could provide expert evidence. For the VRQA to accept an attestation from a doctor, the letter would need to say ‘my assessment of her age is that she is….’ or words to that effect.
A piece of paper from a doctor that has the child’s date of birth and a stamp with the doctor’s signature is not appropriate.
Does evidence of birth documentation have to be the original?
No. A photocopy or fax of a birth certificate or extract of entry is acceptable.
Curriculum support
Where can home schooling parents obtain more information about the eight key learning areas?
Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) useful as a reference point for students in primary and lower secondary levels (years 7-10) of school (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au)
Prep to Year 10 Curriculum Resources are available on the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/teachingresources/preptoyear10.htm and on the VCAA website.
Where can home schooling parents access curriculum/study materials?
Parents may find the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) useful as a reference point for students in primary and lower secondary levels (years 7-10) of school (http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au)
Certain materials produced by the Distance Education Centre Victoria are available in print form and on a cost recovery basis, to registered home schoolers of compulsory school age. Further information, including a list of available materials, can be found at: DECV or by Phone: (03) 8480 0000.
Regular & Efficient Instruction
- The Regulations state that home schooling parents must commit to the principles of Australian democracy including the values of openness and tolerance. What do these values mean and where can home schooling parents find definitions of these values as referred to in the regulations?
- The Regulations state that home schooling parents must provide their child with regular and efficient instruction that, taken as a whole, substantially addresses the eight learning areas. What is meant by substantially addresses?
The Regulations state that home schooling parents must commit to the principles of Australian democracy including the values of openness and tolerance. What do these values mean and where can home schooling parents find definitions of these values as referred to in the regulations?
It is a requirement of home schooling registration to commit to provide instruction consistent with the principles and practice of Australian democracy, including "the values of openness and tolerance". Within the context of these democratic principles, "tolerance' should be interpreted broadly as an understanding and acceptance of difference, in particular, the range of religious, political and social beliefs and values held within Australian society.
The Regulations state that home schooling parents must provide their child with regular and efficient instruction that, taken as a whole, substantially addresses the eight learning areas. What is meant by substantially addresses?
In this context, ‘substantially addressed’ is taken to mean that all learning areas are taught for the majority of years of education, for the compulsory years of schooling, and with recognition of age appropriate phasing in for the early years and some pathways specialisation in middle secondary years.
‘Substantially addressed’ is defined as not meaning equal time in the curriculum at every year level and it does not mean that instruction in each key learning area must occur every year.
Access to government school services
Can registered home schooled children be partially enrolled in government schools?
Yes. Registered home schooled children of compulsory school age are eligible to seek partial enrolment in their neighbourhood government school. Guidelines, together with frequently asked questions, for the partial enrolment of registered home schooling students are available at:
www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/enrolling/homeschool.htm
Can children being home schooled enrol in course through Victorian School of Languages?
Yes.
Financial Support
Are home schooling parents eligible for the EMA allowance?
No. The Education Maintenance Allowance is only paid to eligible parents/guardians of students under 16 years of age who are attending a government or registered school in Victoria.
www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/lifeatschool/financialservices.htm
Will a parent / guardian of a student who is being home schooled be eligible for the School Start Bonus?
Yes. Children in Year Prep and Year 7 who are being home schooled and who are registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority are eligible for the Bonus.
www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/lifeatschool/financialservices.htm
Transport Concessions
Can registered home schooled children access travel concession cards?
Yes, METLINK has advised the VRQA that registered home schooled children are eligible for Student Concession cards. Parents need to send a completed application form, a photocopy of their registration notification letter for home schooling together with a covering letter to:
METLINK Customer Feedback
PO Box 4693TT
Melbourne VIC 3001
METLINK can be contacted by telephone on 131638.