Starpath
New South Wales homeschool checklist
Leaving school
- Send a withdrawal letter
- Where: NSW Department of Education (via Home Schooling Platform) and the child's current school
- How: Online application through the Home Schooling Platform, plus letter to school
- When: Before commencing home schooling
Notice and filing
- Notification: Yes, once, then renewal
- What to file: Home Schooling Platform application (homeschool.enrol.education.nsw.gov.au)
- 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
Subjects and hours
- Time: No set hours
- Required Subjects
- 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)
Records to keep
- Educational program documentation
- Samples of student work
- Planning and programming records
- Record of activities and progress
- Portfolio
- Keep records: Duration of registration period (minimum)
Testing and assessment
- Testing: Not required
- Assessment: Required
- When: At initial registration and each renewal
- By: Authorised Person (appointed by the NSW Department of Education)
Deadlines
- Submit Home Schooling Application: Any time
- Registration Decision: Approximately 7 weeks (up to 12 weeks) after application
- Renewal Application: Before registration expiry (initially up to 2 years)
Contacts and official sources
- Education department: education.nsw.gov.au