Homeschooling in New South Wales
Registration mandatory, curriculum tied to NESA syllabuses, and a home visit required, but a well-supported path with clear guidelines
New South Wales requires all home schooling families to register with the NSW Department of Education. Parents must demonstrate that their educational program is based on the **NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) syllabuses** for the relevant stage of learning. An Authorised Person will conduct a home visit to assess the learning environment and educational program. The legal basis for home schooling is established under **Part 7 of the Education Act 1990 (NSW)**.
In our Library: Homeschooling in NSW: Complete 2026 Guide to Registration, NESA, and Authorised Person Visits
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
7
required
Notification
Yes
once, then renewal
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Registration with the NSW Department of Education is mandatory
- Educational program must be based on NESA syllabuses for each key learning area
- An Authorised Person (assessor) will visit your home and sight the child
- Applications are made online through the Home Schooling Platform, which needs a Service NSW account
- Initial registration is granted for up to 2 years, then renewable
- Processing takes approximately 7 weeks on average (up to 12 weeks)
Legal Framework
Home schooling in NSW is governed by Part 7 of the Education Act 1990 (NSW). Under this legislation, parents may apply to have their child registered for home schooling. The NSW Department of Education (which took over responsibility from NESA on 5 May 2025) administers the registration process. Parents must satisfy the Minister that the child will receive instruction that meets the requirements of the relevant NESA syllabuses and that the home learning environment is suitable. Registration conditions are set out in the Education Act 1990 and the Education Regulation 2017 (NSW).
Find a homeschool group in New South Wales
4 homeschool groups in New South Wales, listed by town with ages, meeting days and fees. Each one checked against its own website and dated, so you can see how current it is.
Homeschool Groups and Co-ops in New South WalesSteiner and Waldorf schools and kindergartens in New South Wales
The Waldorf Map lists 20 schools, 1 kindergarten, 2 classes and courses, and 1 special education school in New South Wales, with phone numbers, websites and a map. If you are homeschooling, many run parent-and-child groups, open mornings and fairs that families outside the school are welcome at.
- Aetaomah Steiner School, Terragon
- Aurora Southern Highlands Steiner School, Bowral
- Blue Mountains Steiner School, Hazelbrook
- Cape Byron Rudolf Steiner School, Byron Bay
Required Subjects
The educational program must be based on the NESA syllabuses for the relevant stage of learning. For Kindergarten to Year 6 (Stage 1–3), the key learning areas are English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, HSIE, Creative Arts, and PDHPE. For Years 7–10 (Stage 4–5), additional subjects include mandatory study of a language in Years 7–8. Parents may integrate subjects and use varied approaches but must demonstrate coverage of all key learning areas.
English
Mathematics
Science and Technology (K–6) / Science (7–10)
Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE) / Geography / History
Creative Arts / Visual Arts / Music
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
Languages (Years 7–8 only)
Filing Requirements
What to file
Home Schooling Platform application
When
Before commencing home schooling
Where
NSW Department of Education
How to submit
Online through the Home Schooling Platform (needs a Service NSW account)
What to include
- • Parent/guardian details and identification
- • Child's details including date of birth
- • Proposed educational program aligned to NESA syllabuses
- • Description of the home learning environment
- • Details of planning, supervision, and record-keeping systems
Applications are submitted online through the Home Schooling Platform. An Authorised Person will be assigned to assess the application, visit the home, and sight the child. Average processing time is approximately 7 weeks but can take up to 12 weeks.
Testing Requirements
Required: No
Frequency: N/A
Grades: N/A
No standardised testing is required for home schooled children in NSW. The Authorised Person assesses the educational program during the home visit, not through testing. Home schooled children do not sit NAPLAN. Parents may choose to arrange for their child to sit the HSC as an external candidate.
How to Get Started
- 1
Research NESA Syllabuses
Familiarise yourself with the NESA syllabuses for the stage of learning relevant to your child's age. Understand the key learning areas and outcomes you will need to address in your educational program.
- •Visit the NESA website to access syllabuses for each key learning area
- •Identify the relevant stage of learning for your child (Early Stage 1, Stage 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5)
- •Review the outcomes and content for each key learning area at that stage
Tip: You do not have to teach every outcome: your program must be 'based on' the syllabuses, meaning it should cover the key learning areas and work towards the outcomes NESA provides syllabus documents free of charge on their website Consider joining NSW home schooling groups for practical advice on how other families address the syllabus requirements - 2
Prepare Your Educational Program
Develop a written educational program that covers all key learning areas for your child's stage. Include your teaching approach, resources, and how you will plan, supervise, and record your child's learning.
- •Write an overview of your educational philosophy and approach
- •Map your proposed activities and resources to the NESA syllabus outcomes
- •Prepare a planning and recording system (this can be a journal, portfolio, digital record, or combination)
- •Set up a suitable learning environment in your home
Tip: You can use any curriculum resources, textbooks, or programs you like: they just need to address the NESA syllabus outcomes Integration across key learning areas is encouraged and accepted The Authorised Person understands that home schooling looks different from classroom teaching: your program does not need to replicate school - 3
Submit Your Application Through the Home Schooling Platform
Sign in to the Home Schooling Platform with a Service NSW account that uses the same email address as your child's registration details, and submit your application. You will need an email address and a mobile phone number. You will give details about yourself, your child, your educational program, and your home learning environment.
- •Sign in to the Home Schooling Platform with your Service NSW account
- •Complete all sections of the online application form
- •Upload or describe your educational program
- •Provide identification and contact details
Tip: Applications can be submitted at any time of year Have your educational program documentation ready before starting the application You can save and return to the application if you need more time - 4
Prepare for the Authorised Person Visit
An Authorised Person will be assigned to your application. They will contact you to arrange a visit to your home. During the visit, they will review your educational program, observe the learning environment, and sight your child.
- •Respond promptly when the Authorised Person makes contact
- •Have your educational program documentation, planning records, and any work samples ready
- •Ensure your home learning environment is set up and accessible
- •Your child must be present for the visit
Tip: The Authorised Person is there to support you, not to catch you out: they understand home schooling Have your NESA syllabus references ready to show how your program maps to the outcomes The visit typically takes 1–2 hours You can ask the Authorised Person questions about the registration process and requirements - 5
Receive Registration Decision
After the home visit, the Authorised Person will make a recommendation. The NSW Department of Education will then issue a registration decision. If approved, your child will be registered for home schooling for an initial period of up to 2 years.
- •Wait for the official registration certificate
- •Note the registration expiry date and plan for renewal
- •Begin (or continue) your home schooling program
Tip: Average processing time from application to decision is approximately 7 weeks, but it can take up to 12 weeks If your application is not approved, you will be informed of the reasons and can address them Keep your registration certificate in a safe place: you may need to produce it if asked
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Application can be submitted at any time of year
- ✓Online application through the Home Schooling Platform
- ✓Initial registration for up to 2 years
- ✓Flexibility in teaching methods and scheduling
- ✓NESA syllabus documents freely available
Cons
- •Must align program with NESA syllabuses
- •Mandatory home visit by Authorised Person
- •Processing takes 7–12 weeks
- •Registration can be refused if requirements are not met
Sports & Activities
There is no equivalent of US-style school sports access laws in New South Wales. Home schooled children do not have a legal right to participate in school sports teams or extracurricular activities. Some schools may allow access on an informal or case-by-case basis.
Questions about homeschooling in New South Wales
Do I need to register to home school in NSW?
Yes. Registration with the NSW Department of Education is mandatory. You must apply through the Home Schooling Platform before commencing home schooling. It is an offence to home school a child of compulsory school age without registration.
Do I have to follow a specific curriculum?
Yes. Your educational program must be based on the NESA syllabuses for the relevant stage of learning. This means you must cover the key learning areas (English, Mathematics, Science, HSIE, Creative Arts, PDHPE, and Languages for Years 7–8). However, you have flexibility in how you teach: you can use any resources, methods, and approaches, as long as the content addresses the syllabus outcomes.
What happens during the Authorised Person visit?
An Authorised Person appointed by the NSW Department of Education will visit your home to assess your educational program, review your planning and record-keeping, observe the home learning environment, and sight your child. The visit typically takes 1–2 hours. They are there to support you and ensure the requirements are met, not to conduct an exam or test your child.
How long does the registration process take?
The average processing time is approximately 7 weeks from application to decision, but it can take up to 12 weeks. This includes the time for an Authorised Person to be assigned, arrange and conduct the home visit, and for the Department to issue a decision.
Can I start home schooling while my application is being processed?
Technically, you should not home school until registration is granted. If your child is currently enrolled in a school, they should remain enrolled until the registration is approved. However, there is no legal prohibition on beginning educational activities at home while you await the decision: the issue is that the child must be either enrolled in a school or registered for home schooling to satisfy compulsory education requirements.
How long does registration last?
Initial registration is granted for a period of up to 2 years. You must apply for renewal before it expires. The renewal process involves a new Authorised Person visit to reassess your educational program and the child's progress.
Do I need teaching qualifications to home school?
No. There are no formal teaching qualifications required to home school in NSW. Any parent or guardian can home school their child. You must, however, demonstrate the capacity to deliver an educational program based on the NESA syllabuses.
Can my home schooled child sit the HSC?
Yes. Home schooled students can sit the Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations as external candidates (pathways students). They must meet NESA's eligibility requirements. This is a separate process from home schooling registration and must be arranged directly with NESA.
What if my registration application is refused?
If your application is refused, you will be informed of the reasons. You can address the issues raised and reapply. You also have the right to seek a review of the decision. If registration is refused or revoked, your child must be enrolled in a school.
Do home schooled children sit NAPLAN?
No. Home schooled children in NSW are not required to sit NAPLAN (National Assessment Program: Literacy and Numeracy). NAPLAN applies only to students enrolled in schools.
Get New South Wales’s homeschool checklist, and hear by email when our New South Wales page changes
Leave your email and you’ll get the checklist link straight away. You’ll also be on the list for news when our New South Wales page changes. You can stop the emails any time.
Learning at home?
Starpath’s Waldorf-inspired lessons cover grades 1 to 3, and grade 4 is being added. Sophie, a Waldorf class teacher, wrote the stories, verses and activities for each day. 14 days for $7, then $47 a month. Cancel before the trial ends and you aren't charged again.
Keep your New South Wales records in order
Starpath Records tracks attendance, hours, and work samples, and turns them into the reports the rules expect. Works with any curriculum. New South Wales tools are on the way; join the list and be first in.
Read more
Last updated: 2026-10-22 · NSW homeschool law guide