Homeschooling in South Australia
Exemption-based system requiring school enrolment first, curriculum alignment, and a mandatory home visit
South Australia requires all children of compulsory education age to be enrolled at a school. Parents who wish to home educate must first enrol their child at a school and then apply for an exemption from school attendance through the SA Department for Education's Home Education Unit. This exemption process involves submitting an application, providing a suitable education program aligned with the Australian Curriculum, and agreeing to a home visit from an authorised education officer. The legal framework is set out in the **Education and Children's Services Act 2019 (SA)**.
Quick Reference
School Days
-
No minimum
Hours Required
-
No minimum
Subjects
8
required
Notification
Yes
Per exemption period (renewal required)
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Children must be enrolled at a school before applying for a home education exemption
- Registration (exemption) with the Department for Education is mandatory
- Education program must align with Australian Curriculum goals
- A home visit by an authorised education officer is required as part of the approval process
- Application is a two-step process: initial request form online, then full application form via email
- Exemptions are granted for a set period and must be renewed
Legal Framework
Home education in South Australia is governed by the Education and Children's Services Act 2019 (SA). Under this Act, all children of compulsory education age (6 to 17) must be enrolled at and attend a school. Section 70 provides for exemptions from enrolment and attendance, which is the mechanism through which home education is legally permitted. The Chief Executive of the Department for Education (or delegate) may grant an exemption if satisfied that the child will receive a suitable education. The Home Education Unit within the Department administers the exemption process.
Steiner and Waldorf schools and kindergartens in South Australia
The Waldorf Map lists 4 schools and 1 kindergarten in South Australia, 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.
- Mount Barker Waldorf School, Adelaide Hills
- Willunga Waldorf School, Willunga
- Adelaide Waldorf Way / Ashton Steiner Nature Playgroup, Adelaide Hills
- Sheidow Park School, Adelaide
Required Subjects
The education program must align with the goals and general capabilities of the Australian Curriculum. This does not mean parents must follow the curriculum exactly, but the program must address the key learning areas. The Home Education Unit assesses whether the program provides a suitable education across these areas.
English
Mathematics
Science
Humanities and Social Sciences
The Arts
Technologies
Health and Physical Education
Languages (optional but encouraged)
Filing Requirements
What to file
Home Education Exemption Application
When
Before commencing home education
Where
SA Department for Education: Home Education Unit
How to submit
Online initial request form, then full application form submitted via email
What to include
- • Child's details (name, date of birth, enrolled school)
- • Parent/guardian details and contact information
- • Education program outline aligned with the Australian Curriculum
- • Description of teaching methods and resources
- • How the program meets the child's age, ability, and aptitude
- • Agreement to a home visit by an authorised education officer
The application is a two-step process. First, submit the initial request form online via the SA government website. You will then receive the full application form via email from the Home Education Unit. The exemption must be approved before home education commences.
Testing Requirements
Required: No
Frequency: N/A
Grades: N/A
No standardised testing is required for home-educated children in South Australia. The Home Education Unit assesses suitability through the application process and home visit, not through testing.
How to Get Started
- 1
Enrol Your Child at a School
Before you can apply for a home education exemption, your child must be enrolled at a registered school in South Australia. This is a legal prerequisite: the exemption process is an exemption from school attendance, so enrolment must exist first.
- •Identify and enrol your child at a local school (government or non-government)
- •Obtain confirmation of enrolment
Tip: You can enrol at your local zoned public school: you do not need to send the child to attend classes before applying for an exemption Contact the school to explain your intention to home educate; some schools are experienced with this process Keep your enrolment confirmation documents safe as you will need them for the exemption application - 2
Submit the Initial Request Form Online
Visit the SA government website and submit the initial home education request form. This notifies the Home Education Unit that you intend to apply for an exemption.
- •Go to the SA government home education page
- •Complete and submit the initial request form online
- •Provide your contact details and your child's enrolment details
Tip: Ensure all information matches your child's school enrolment records You will receive a response from the Home Education Unit, typically via email Keep a copy or screenshot of your submission for your records - 3
Complete the Full Application Form
After submitting the initial request, you will receive the full home education exemption application form via email from the Home Education Unit. Complete this form with details of your proposed education program.
- •Download and complete the full application form received via email
- •Outline your education program, including how it aligns with the Australian Curriculum
- •Describe your teaching methods, resources, and how you will meet the child's individual needs
- •Submit the completed application as instructed by the Home Education Unit
Tip: Refer to the 'Guide to Home Education in South Australia' PDF available from the SA government for detailed guidance on what to include Be specific about how your program covers the key learning areas of the Australian Curriculum Include information about socialisation opportunities for your child Allow adequate time for the application to be processed before you plan to begin home educating - 4
Agree to and Prepare for the Home Visit
As part of the approval process, an authorised education officer from the Department for Education will arrange a home visit. The purpose is to observe the learning environment and discuss your education program.
- •Respond to the Home Education Unit to schedule the home visit
- •Prepare your learning space and have resources and materials available to show
- •Have your education program plan ready to discuss in detail
- •Prepare work samples or examples of planned activities if available
Tip: The home visit is a collaborative discussion, not an inspection: the officer is there to support you Have your education program documented clearly so you can walk through it with the officer If you have already started gathering resources, display them in your learning space You can ask the officer questions about expectations and available support - 5
Receive Exemption Approval and Begin Home Educating
Once the Home Education Unit is satisfied with your application and the home visit, you will receive formal approval for the exemption. You can then begin home educating your child.
- •Receive and file your exemption approval letter
- •Note the exemption period and renewal date
- •Begin delivering your education program
- •Maintain records and evidence of learning for future reviews and renewal
Tip: Do not begin home educating until you have received formal approval Set a calendar reminder well before your exemption expiry date to begin the renewal process Contact the Home Education Unit if your circumstances change or you need guidance Connect with home education groups in South Australia for community and support
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Legally recognised and formally approved home education
- ✓Freedom to choose teaching methods and daily schedule
- ✓Support and guidance from the Home Education Unit
- ✓No standardised testing required
- ✓No formal teaching qualifications needed
Cons
- •Must enrol child at a school before applying
- •Mandatory home visit by an education officer
- •Curriculum must align with Australian Curriculum goals
- •Exemption is time-limited and requires renewal
- •Two-step application process can take several weeks
- •Cannot legally begin home education until exemption is approved
Sports & Activities
There is no equivalent of US-style school sports access laws in South Australia. Home-educated children do not have a legal right to participate in school sports teams or extracurricular activities. Access may be available informally through the enrolled school on a case-by-case basis.
Questions about homeschooling in South Australia
Can I start home educating without applying for an exemption?
No. In South Australia, all children of compulsory education age must be enrolled at a school. To legally home educate, you must apply for and receive an exemption from the Department for Education's Home Education Unit before you begin. Educating at home without an approved exemption may be treated as a breach of compulsory attendance laws.
Why does my child need to be enrolled at a school first?
Under the Education and Children's Services Act 2019, all children aged 6 to 17 must be enrolled at a school. The home education exemption is an exemption from school attendance, so a school enrolment must exist before the exemption can be applied for. This is a distinctive feature of the South Australian system.
What happens during the home visit?
An authorised education officer from the Department for Education will visit your home to discuss your education program, observe your learning environment, and ask about your teaching methods and resources. The visit is intended to be supportive and collaborative rather than an inspection. You can ask questions and seek guidance from the officer during the visit.
Do I need to follow the Australian Curriculum exactly?
No. Your education program must align with the goals and general capabilities of the Australian Curriculum, but you do not need to follow it lesson by lesson. You have flexibility in how you deliver content, what resources you use, and how you structure your child's learning. The key requirement is that your program covers the key learning areas and is suitable for your child's age, ability, and aptitude.
How long does the exemption last and how do I renew it?
Exemptions are granted for a set period determined by the Home Education Unit. Before the exemption expires, you must apply for renewal to continue home educating. The renewal process may include providing updated evidence of your child's learning progress and a revised education program. Contact the Home Education Unit well before your expiry date to begin the renewal process.
Do I need teaching qualifications to home educate in South Australia?
No formal teaching qualifications are required. Any parent or guardian can home educate their child, provided they can demonstrate through the application process that they will deliver a suitable education program aligned with the Australian Curriculum goals.
Can my home-educated child get a SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education)?
Home-educated students who wish to obtain the SACE typically need to enrol through a school or through Open Access College to complete the required SACE subjects and assessments. Alternatively, students can pursue TAFE SA courses, university bridging programs, or other pathways to further education and employment.
What if my exemption application is refused?
If your application is refused, the Home Education Unit will provide reasons and guidance on what changes are needed. You may be able to revise and resubmit your application. If you disagree with the decision, you may have the right to seek a review. Contact the Home Education Unit (Education.HomeEducation@sa.gov.au) for information about the review process.
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Last updated: 2026-04-16 · SA homeschool law guide