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The content on this page has moved to a new location.

Why has it moved?

We are migrating our website content to a new location on the NSW Government website so it's easier for you to find and read content.

All regulation information is now available in the new ‘School registration and compliance’ section at nsw.gov.au/NESA.

From 20 March, this page will no longer exist, and you will be automatically redirected to the NSW Government website.

Submitted an application?

If you received an auto reply when you submitted your application online or by email, your application has been received and is being processed.

It may take up to 12 weeks to complete the process from the time of application to receipt of a certificate. It is rare for the overall time to exceed 12 weeks.

Under the provisions of the Education Act 1990, if a child of compulsory school age is not registered for home schooling with a current certificate of registration, the child must be enrolled in and attend a government or registered non-government school.

If you have questions about your child’s enrolment or attendance at school, please contact your child’s school or your relevant sector authority.

The Education Act 1990 allows parents to choose to educate their children at home.

To be home schooled, a child of compulsory schooling age must be registered by NESA.

NESA issues a certificate of home schooling registration if registration is approved.

The requirements and process for home schooling registration are described in NESA’s Guidelines for Home Schooling Registration in NSW (PDF, 50 pages, 900 KB).

Read about the history of the Guidelines.

Home schooling is a long-term schooling option and requires considerable planning to satisfy NESA requirements for home schooling registration.

Parents considering home schooling registration on a temporary basis should contact their child's school for advice. Home schooling registration may not be required or suitable.

Home schooling does not apply to families who are travelling for an extended period of time. Parents who are planning to travel may wish to contact the NSW Department of Education or their child’s school for advice about how compulsory schooling obligations can continue to be met while travelling.

If you have any questions about home schooling registration, please email [email protected].

Applications

Applications for renewal of registration, Certificate of Completion of Year 10 and site visits are currently being assessed by a home visit. From 29 April 2024, applications for initial home schooling registration will also be assessed by a home visit.

The requirements to be met for home schooling registration are described in section 4 of the Guidelines for Home Schooling Registration in NSW (PDF, 50 pages, 454KB).

To apply for home schooling registration, select the link to access the Home Schooling Online website or complete the relevant form below and return it (preferably by email) to the Home Schooling Unit at [email protected].

Alternatively, mail it to:

Home Schooling Unit
NESA
PO Box 5300
Sydney NSW 2001

It may take up to 12 weeks to complete the process for assessing an application for home schooling registration.

Home Schooling Online

Applications for registration can be submitted online via the Home Schooling Online website.

To use Home Schooling Online you must have both an email address and a mobile phone number.

Home Schooling Online will allow you to easily and securely:

  • create or activate your online account
  • apply for registration or exemption from registration for your child
  • upload documentation such as court orders as well as guardian, carer or out of home care documents
  • apply for a Certificate of Completion of Year 10 for your child
  • view the status of your application
  • withdraw your application 
  • discontinue your child’s current registration 
  • notify NESA of changes to your home address
  • manage your online account including change your password, change your mobile phone number and change your email address
  • access a copy of your child’s certificate of registration. 

For assistance, please refer to the ‘How to Guides’ located on the Home Schooling Online website.

New applicants

Select ‘Create an account’ on the log in page.

Current or previous applicants

Select ‘Activate your account’ on the log in page.

Please refer to your renewal reminder email for further instructions.

Form 1

Application for Initial Registration for Home Schooling (PDF, 3 pages 1.1MB)

Form 2

Application for Renewal of Registration for Home Schooling (PDF, 2 pages 1.1MB)

Applications for Renewal of Registration are now able to be submitted online.

A link is provided in the renewal reminder email.

Form 3

Application for Certificate of Completion of Year 10 (PDF, 1 page 1MB)

Authorised Persons Handbook

The Authorised Persons Handbook (PDF, 26 pages, 445KB) provides guidance for Authorised Persons in relation to assessing applications for home schooling.

In February 2019, the AP Handbook was reviewed and minor amendments made.

Download the AP Handbook tracked changes version (PDF, 26 pages, 445KB) to see amendments.

Home Schooling Consultative Group

NESA has a Home Schooling Consultative Group with membership of home schooling representatives.

Home Schooling data

View Home Schooling data (PDF, 17 pages, 305KB)

History of the Guidelines

The Guidelines were first published in 2017. The Guidelines replaced the previous Information Package.

Throughout 2019-2020, NESA conducted consultation about the Guidelines for Home Schooling Registration in NSW. In December 2021 amended Guidelines were published.

For each phase of consultation, a report was published outlining proposed amendments and reasons for change:

Home Schooling Online

Applicants now have the option to submit their applications for home schooling registration online via Home Schooling Online.

NSW Curriculum Reform

The release of new syllabuses will affect what home schooling parents need to do when preparing educational programs. Parents can read more about Curriculum Reform and home schooling.

Home visits

From 29 April 2024, applications for initial home schooling registration will be assessed by a home visit. Find out more about home visits.

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