Registering to home school

Parents wishing to home school a child (from six to sixteen) 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 –16 and optional for those aged 16 and 17.

You must register where:

A child is of the compulsory school age. (6-16 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 16 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 are required to notify the VRQA in writing before 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 visit our Frequently asked questions page.

Distance Education Centre Victoria (DECV)

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 Ph: (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 - 347Kb)
Partial Enrolment for Registered Home Schooling Students - Frequently Asked Questions (www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/enrolling/hspartenrolfaq.htm)
Victorian Government’s Home Schooling Advisory Committee
(www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschool/enrolling/hsac.htm)