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Every Australian state and territory has its own authority, process and paperwork for registering to home educate. Below is a state-by-state guide covering who to contact, what to prepare, and how reporting and renewal work — pick your state for the full details.
| State | Authority | Ages | Duration / renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| QLD | Home Education Unit (HEU), Queensland Department of Education | 6y6m to under 16 (or Year 10 completion) is compulsory; registration is available from 5y6m up to 31 December of the year the child turns 18. | Full registration is ongoing (no annual re-application), subject to the annual report. |
| NSW | NSW Department of Education, Home Schooling Directorate | From age 6 until Year 10 completion or age 17 (whichever comes first); can continue to 18 (plus up to 2 further years to finish a program). Must reside in NSW. | Registration lasts up to 24 months; initial registrations are generally shorter. Renew approximately 3 months before expiry. |
| VIC | Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) | Ages 6–17; a child may start at the beginning of the year they turn 6, or by their 6th birthday. | Registration is ongoing until 31 December of the year the child turns 18, with annual continuation confirmed by email. |
| WA | Department of Education WA, via your local education regional office | The compulsory period runs from the year the child turns 5y6m until the end of the year they reach 17y6m, turn 18, or graduate. | No expiry or renewal — registration is ongoing until school enrolment, leaving WA, or ageing out. |
| SA | Department for Education (SA), Home Education unit | Roughly ages 6–17 (compulsory school age is 6–16, then compulsory education age to 17). | An exemption is usually granted for 12 months, with an annual review required to continue. |
| TAS | Office of the Education Registrar (OER) | From age 5 (as at 1 January) until 18, Year 12 completion, or Certificate III completion. | Registrations are issued with an expiry date; the OER will advise yours. |
| NT | NT Department of Education and Training | NT residents, compulsory age 6 (turning 6 by 30 June of that school year) to 17. | Approval lasts one school year — you must reapply annually. The reapplication deadline moves each year, so check the NT Government page for this year’s reapplication deadline. |
| ACT | Education Directorate (ACT), Home Education team | Ages 6–17, living or usually living in the ACT. | Registration lasts up to 2 years (shorter on request). Renew at least 3 months before expiry. |