Homeschooling in Queensland

Key Requirements at a Glance

• Registration with the Home Education Unit (HEU) is mandatory and free
• Provisional registration is issued once your application is received
• A summary of your child's educational program goes in with the application
• A written report is due each year in the 10th month of registration, with an updated program summary if you are continuing
• No set curriculum: you choose what and how to teach
• No mandatory home visits: assessment is plan-based
• No set timetable or daily routine required

Legal Framework

Home education in Queensland is governed by the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld), specifically Chapter 9. This legislation establishes that parents may apply to the chief executive (through the Home Education Unit) for registration to provide home education. Registration is granted where the parent demonstrates that the proposed educational program will provide a high-quality education. Registration comes with standard conditions, including a written report on the child's educational progress each year, and the Act and empowers the HEU to monitor compliance through documentary review rather than home visits.

Required Subjects

There is no set curriculum. Registration requires a high-quality education suited to the child's age, ability, aptitude and development, and you choose the approach, materials and teaching method. Some families use the Australian Curriculum learning areas as a planning checklist.

Filing Requirements

Testing Requirements

How to Get Started

1. 1

   Confirm Eligibility

   Make sure your child is not enrolled at a school when registration takes effect. If they are, see Option 2. Your child must be at least 5 years 6 months and under 18 on 31 December of the year registration takes effect.

   • •Check your child's age meets the registration requirements
   • •Confirm the child is not currently enrolled at any school
   • •Gather a certified copy of your child's full birth certificate

   Tip: A child can't be registered for home education and enrolled at a school at the same time You can register from age 5 years 6 months, even though compulsory school age begins at 6 years 6 months
2. 2

   Submit Registration Application to HEU

   Complete the application for registration for home education (online or on the print form) and send it to the Home Education Unit with a summary of your child's educational program and a certified copy of their full birth certificate.

   • •Complete the registration application form (available online or by contacting HEU)
   • •Attach a certified copy of the child's full birth certificate and the program summary
   • •Submit online or post to the Home Education Unit, PO Box 3710, South Brisbane BC QLD 4101

   Tip: You can contact the HEU by phone or email if you have questions before applying The application is free: there are no fees at any stage Apply for each child individually if registering multiple children

   Before commencing home education

3. 3

   Receive Provisional Registration

   Provisional registration is issued once your application is received. You receive a Certificate of Registration for Home Education if registration is granted, and the letter tells you when your first annual report is due.

   • •Check for confirmation from HEU (letter or email)
   • •Note the registration date: your annual reporting cycle runs from this date
   • •Note the report due date from your registration letter

   Tip: Keep your registration confirmation letter in a safe place The QHE emails you a link to the reporting form in the 9th month of registration Mark your calendar: the annual report is due in the 10th month of registration and the date can't be extended
4. 4

   Prepare Your Educational Program Summary

   Write the summary of your child's educational program before you apply, since it goes in with the application. The Department's guide (not mandatory) suggests showing that the program responds to your child's short and long term goals, suits their age, ability, aptitude and development, and uses suitable teaching strategies, resources and ways of monitoring progress.

   • •Set short and long term educational and personal goals for your child
   • •Tailor the program to your child's age, ability, aptitude and development
   • •Describe your intended teaching strategies and resources
   • •Include the summary with your registration application

   Tip: The plan does not need to be a day-by-day schedule: a broad overview is sufficient Focus on WHAT your child will learn and HOW, not on replicating a school timetable The Department publishes optional templates and examples to help you judge how much detail to give You can use any teaching approach: structured, child-led, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, eclectic, etc. Clarity matters more than length
5. 5

   Continue Home Education and Report Annually

   Deliver your educational program and send a written report on your child's progress each year in the 10th month of registration, with an updated program summary if your child is continuing.

   • •Carry out your educational program
   • •Keep records of learning activities and your child's progress
   • •Submit the annual report through the unique link the QHE emails you

   Tip: Collect work samples, photos, and notes throughout the year to make reporting easier The annual report should describe what was achieved, not just what was planned The due date can't be extended, so contact the QHE early if you have questions

Pros & Cons

Sports & Activities

There is no equivalent of US-style school sports access laws in Queensland. Home-educated children do not have a legal right to participate in school sports teams or extracurricular activities. Some schools may allow participation on a case-by-case basis at their discretion.