Homeschooling in NSW 2023 – Your Common Questions Answered
Homeschooling in NSW is free & legal.
To be eligible to apply you (and your children) need live in NSW, apply to the NESA Home Schooling Unit and write an education plan that is assessed by NESA. Approval is done by 90 days, often sooner. Nearly all people get approved.
If you want to try homeschooling in NSW, you are following a growing trend. More and more families are taking up the challenge, especially after they gave homeschooling a go during the COVID lock downs.
50% Increase For Homeschooling in NSW in 2 Years
Homeschooling numbers in NSW have been rising for over a decade. In NSW homeschool registration has increased from approximately 6000 before Covid to 9000 October 2021.
Homeschooling in NSW Regional Statistics
Here is a breakdown region by region as of October 31st 2021. The Sydney region having the highest numbers:
- Sydney West 2,874
- Sydney North 353
- Sydney South 211
- Sydney East & CBD 91
This recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald discusses the 2022 trends in homeschooling in NSW.
Why I Wrote The Unofficial Guide To Homeschooling in NSW
All four of my children were homeschooled in NSW. For 18 years I prepared registration applications for my own children and helped others. I wrote this guide for those of you homeschooling in NSW to help you with your application.
This is the unofficial guide to homeschooling in NSW, I have condensed the information, replaced the jargon with words you will understand and added a few personal touches of how it works in practice.
Let me put your mind at ease, demystify the process for homeschooling in NSW and break down the esoteric language into words regular folk like us understand.
By the way before I tell you what I know, I want to make it clear that this isn’t legal advice. I’m just sharing what I’ve observed. Look here for the official guide on homeschooling in NSW from NESA.
We got the ‘go ahead’ for our first year of homeschooling from the Assessor today and he said that he gave us a full year to start us off because he was, and I quote, “Very impressed with the level of detail” I was able to provide him with and that is thanks to My Homeschool!!
I love the weekly schedule so much, Jo – I know they will make the organisational side of my week much less of a task.
FAQs For Homeschooling in NSW
Can I Homeschool Part Time in NSW?
When Can I Remove My Kids from School?
Theoretically you are supposed to wait until your registration is approved. This process can take a month to three months (but usually it’s less than a month). However, many parents remove their child before their homeschool registration has been officially approved.
Optional Medical Certificate
Some parents get a doctor’s certificate for stress leave for their child until registration is approved.
Ask For A Formal Exemption
If you can show them a plan of what you are teaching then your chances are increased. You could also attach a copy of the email receipt ( which often goes into the junk box) you received from the NSW Homeschooling Unit when you put in your application.
We recommend parents speak to the principal and send them a formal letter like this:
___________________________________________________________
To the Principal
School Address
Hello,
I would like to apply for an temporary exemption to homeschool our children for 2022 while we await official approval from the NESA – Home Schooling Unit . We have sent in our application.
Put in details of your children’s names.
- Child’s Full Name:
- Date of Birth:
- Residential Address:
- Applicant name:.
- Applicants Relationship to Child:
We are planning on using the My Homeschool curriculum https://myhomeschool.com and plan to follow the NSW school terms. This program follows the NESA curriculum. We have sent in our application to the NESA Homeschooling Unit ( email receipt attached).
Yours Sincerely
(Sign letter)
____________________________________________________________
Principals May Insist On School Attendance Till Registered
Many schools can be quite supportive of homeschooling and will leave the door open for you to return if homeschooling doesn’t work out. However, some parents report having problems with the school administration (schools lose funding and possibly a teacher when you leave).
You need to know that schools don’t have any power to stop you from homeschooling. However principals are required to account for absence from school and they do have mandatory reporting obligations for non-attending students.
How Much Does Homeschooling Cost In NSW?
Homeschooling applications in NSW is free and legal.
You do not get paid to homeschool but if you get Centrelink payments they allow exemptions from applying for work to the home schooling parent.
Parents may also be able to apply for the following subsidies:
- Isolated Children’s Scheme
- Back to School Vouchers
- Creative Kids Voucher to help with artistic pursuits
- Active Kids Voucher to encourage sports.
Here are some additional tips for single parent homeschooling in NSW.
You can homeschool on a tight budget, or you can go crazy expensive. Here are some things to think about when trying to work out the real cost of homeschooling.
Do I Need To Teach A Specific Curriculum?
Yes! When homeschooling in NSW you must have a program based on the NSW Syllabus.
The NSW curriculum is currently under reform and NESA has also released their new English and Mathematics syllabus for K to 2. This aligns with the Australian Curriculum but is presented in a slightly different way. The new NSW curricula will be rolled out to schools from 2023 and homeschoolers are required to teach the Math and English component for K to 2 from April 2023.
For more homeschool information on teaching the new NSW Syllabus.
Do I Need To Buy A Curriculum?
You do not need to buy a curriculum however most families choose to, especially when they first start. It’s much easier to register and all of the syllabus is planned out for you.
Buying a curriculum can also save you time and stress.
Homeschooling has flexible hours, and generally is more efficient, so you will still have loads of time to pursue your child’s interests.
Can I DIY My Curriculum?
Absolutely! If you want to make up your own curriculum you can.
Just remember, NSW homeschooling students must be taught according to NESA syllabus.
So, if you have decided to DIY your homeschool curriculum, then you will need to ensure that it is based on the relevant NESA syllabuses.
Even if you are unschooling you will need to do an educational plan based on the NESA Syllabus.
Can My Child Get A ROSA or HSC If They Were Homeschooled?
Year 10 Certificate
A Record of School Achievement ( ROSA ) is only available to school students in NSW. It is awarded after Year 10. However when you homeschool in NSW you are offered an alternative Certificate of Year 10 Completion..
Registered NSW Homeschoolers can apply for a Certificate of Completion of Year 10 based on the following criteria:
- the student has been registered in NSW to homeschool Year 10 in the past 12 months.
- proof that the educational program chosen was implemented and completed.
- Samples and assessments of Year 10 work must also be shown.
Year 11 and 12 Qualifications
When you choose to homeschool for Year 11 and 12 your child can’t get a High School Certificate (HSC). However, your children can still complete an HSC alternative and get an ATAR to use for university entry if needed, or they can continue homeschooling up till the age of 17 – without seeking a formal qualification. After the age of 17, you can follow your chosen course of study without any government restrictions. You can stop homeschooling altogether if you like.
My Homeschool Assistance For Beyond Year 10
Year 10 is the last grade we provide at My Homeschool. However we do offer resources to help you explore possibilities – and there are many – after you complete Year 10.
They include:
- Selecting The Next Best Step – This guide helps you navigate the various pathways available to students who have already completed their Year 10 studies. We look at: university entry without an ATAR, DIY Year 11 & 12, TAFE, apprenticeships, and gaining international qualifications.
- Curating A Senior High School Course – Here you’ll get ideas on how you can prepare your own DIY curriculum for a non-accredited Year 11 and 12 course of study. We have information on: when you can stop homeschooling, how to put your own curriculum together, and what subjects to choose. Our curated subject lists include English, mathematics, science, geography, history, foreign languages, technology, creative arts and PDHPE. You can craft an individualised curriculum from these lists.
- Preparing Academic Transcripts – We teach you how to prepare your own professional transcripts to demonstrate your record of learning. We also provide examples, a template and tips on creating portfolios.
When you finish with My Homeschool Year 10B you’ll have many options. You and your teen can create your own strategy and make informed decisions for the future.
This resource is part of our Year 10B course and is only available to families who have purchased our Year 10B curriculum. It is not sold separately.
Will Homeschooling Limit My Child's Options For University?
Your child can still go to university. In fact they can probably get there earlier than if they went through the normal school system.
All four of my children went to university at 16. One became a medical doctor at 22 years old, and another got his Masters degree at 21.
I can tell you many other university success stories. Read about homeschooling and university here.
What if My Child Has Special Needs?
Can I Register for Homeschooling In NSW If Travelling?
There is no written NSW homeschool NESA policy excluding homeschoolers from travelling whilst homeschooling. However, if you try to register because you want to go travelling, they will usually say you should withdraw your application and then suggest that you do distance education while travelling. Distance education can be very restricting whilst homeschooling and is generally not liked by travelling homeschoolers.
Therefore, if you want to homeschool, it is usually best not to mention travelling plans when applying for registration.
NESA says they refuse applications because you are of “no fixed address” and they cannot “approve” your educational facilities.
Another state registration homeschooling body suggested to one homeschooling family that since they were of no fixed address while travelling that they did not need to be registered in a particular state.
Do You Have To Register to Homeschool in NSW?
Exceptions
However, there are always exceptions to the rule; if you are a temporary resident or have no NSW address then you cannot register to homeschool in NSW. For example – a friend of mine who’s children were New Zealand residents could have registered but did not. It was a grey area.
Do People Get Refused Registration?
Yes, some people do get refused NSW homeschool registration. But usually, it is due to court orders, being unavailable for the assessment visit, or being ineligible to apply in the first place. Only 0.19% were refused because they did not meet the requirements.
Another 10% withdraw their application. This may be due to a change of mind, finding another solution or because they were travelling.
What Happens If I Don’t Register?
You are required by law to register to homeschool. However, after homeschooling in NSW for nearly 20 years I know there are plenty of families who do not register for various reasons. In most cases nothing happened. I have known a couple of parents who have been reported for not being at school. In these cases, they were just asked to apply for home education.
Here are the NSW laws regarding school absence.
However, it can be difficult/impossible to get some Centrelink payments without registration documentation.
Are There Any NSW Support Groups?
NSW Homeschool Volunteer groups:
- Home Education Australia (HEA)
- Muslim Home Education Network Australia
- Sydney Home Education Network (SHEN)
- Canberra and NSW region surrounds has Christian Homeschooling Network (CHEN) and Home Education Canberra and Southern Highlands HENCAST
Other Australian homeschooling regional groups can be found on Facebook groups but there are too many to list. Try also searching a group in your local area.
The My Homeschool Community is also a place that offers support for homeschooling in Australia.
We provide a virtual home educator’s staff room for all our members which includes:
- newsletter, workshops and special offers
- free courses including our How to Homeschool course
- registration templates and self paced registration help for members
- community forums for members only
If you need more help please contact us to make an enquiry or book a call.
Application For Registration to Homeschool in NSW
Before you register your child for home education, get your documentation ready and find out the basics of how to homeschool. Planning your curriculum requires thought and there is a great deal of information and resources to absorb.
If you are in a hurry to register and want to get the process started immediately then send in your forms but you will need to start working out your documentation and resources immediately.
Registration Appointment With NESA
The AP (approved person from the NESA) usually contacts you 2 – 3 weeks after you send in your application. They will want to make an appointment within a week or two. The application does say you need to allow three months prior, in reality I’ve never heard of someone whose registration took that long. Since COVID restrictions have been in place, all of the meetings have been done online which has sped up the registration process.
You are not required to send in documentation prior to the appointment although it is often requested by the AP. You can refuse and say you will be showing documentation during the meeting. If you do choose to send your documentation in please specify that these are private documents and not for sharing.
After your registration is approved at the visit you will have to wait about a week before your official NSW Homeschool certificate arrives in the mail.
Homeschooling in NSW Registration Renewals
- renewals of registration;
- Certificate of Completion of Year 10 applications; and
- site visits (where there has been a change of address for a currently registered homeschooling family).
I just wanted to say thank you for all the effort that’s been put into My Homeschool! I had my AP visit yesterday and it went great! He’s giving me 12 months registration and said if he comes next year and I’m still using the My Homeschool curriculum then he’ll give two years, even for my kindy child who’ll be a new registration. Thank you so much for helping make this transition to homeschooling so much easier and providing such detailed documents. I’m truly grateful!
You can either apply using the Online Homeschool Portal or fill in a registration form and email or mail it to the home schooling unit.
Option 1: Homeschooling In NSW Application – Visits and Online Portal
Home Schooling Online is NESA’s new online application platform. It is designed to give home schooling families in NSW the option to apply, renew, or cancel their registration online. You can change your address details, upload relevant documents, and apply for a Certificate of Completion of Year 10 too. Registration plans can also be uploaded. My Homeschool families can upload the Registration Plans we help you create to make registration smooth.
(Don’t worry: If you prefer to lodge your applications using the NESA PDF forms, you still can.)
Option 2: Filling In the Registration Forms for Homeschooling In NSW
There are two forms: one for initial registration and one for re-registration. The application forms and official requirements for homeschooling in NSW can be found on the NESA website.
Send off your form appropriate to your situation.
Tick YES, to all the requirements for an AP meeting such as:
- Educational Plan based on the NESA syllabus (You will need to prepare one).
- A plan for the next educational period (Same as above really)
- Record of progress (or a plan for one)
- Records of time allocated to learning.
Answering The Allocated Time Learning Question
With regards to time allocated to learning, it helps to know the legislation here – NSW Education Act 1990 section 14.4 states that NESA can suggest an amount of time, but not make it mandatory. So as a homeschooler you can say that they are always learning. Here is the direct quote:
“Any syllabus developed or endorsed by the Board [NESA] for a particular course of study may indicate generally the period of time that should be allocated to the teaching of the course but is not to make a specific period of time mandatory.“
- Sufficient resources for learning. (You will need to have resources to show).
When Homeschooling in NSW, You Can DIY or Use Curriculum Packages
You do not need to DIY all your resources. You can use pre done curriculum. At My Homeschool we have complete NSW curriculum packages that are aligned to the NESA syllabus and we also have provided the documentation with most of the planning already done.
What Is The Application for Exemption?
I sometimes ticked this option just because I wanted to see what happened. Nothing is the answer. It is really not an exemption at all. But still, it is a personal conviction that makes parents choose this path.
How Long Can I Get Registered for Homeschooling In NSW?
Preparing Your Learning Plan for NSW Homeschooling Registration
The planning process is there to help you set goals for your child’s education.
The AP will not read most of your plan, so adding weblinks and short summaries is fine.
If you decide to change your plan three months later which people commonly do, it will not matter either.
Your plan will not be looked at the next time you apply for registration.
To prepare a homeschool plan you will need a basic understanding of a few terms of the NSW syllabus.
The NSW School Stages
Stage One: Foundation (Kindergarten) – Year Two | Ages 5-8
Stage Two: Year Three – Year Four | Ages 8-10
Stage Three: Year Five – Year Six | Ages 10-12
Stage Four: Year Seven – Year Eight | Ages 12-14
Stage Five: Year Nine – Year Ten | Ages 14 -16
Stage Six: Year Eleven – Year Twelve | Ages 16 -18
At My Homeschool we offer curriculum from Stage One to Stage Five (Year 10)
Planning Based on NESA Syllabus
To do this you can use:
- NSW Syllabus Outcomes – what you are hoping to achieve.
- NSW Syllabus Content – the subject content.
- NSW Stage Statements (are summaries of the content for each subject set into two-year periods.) Stage statements are no longer a part of the new syllabus and cannot be used for some subjects.
Now I know this all sounds a little scary, but we are not required to plan to the level of a school. You do not need to write up daily lesson plans.
NESA provides you with planning tools for different stages in the curriculum. You only need to worry about these if you are DIYing your curriculum or if your homeschool resource provider does not comply with the NESA syllabus.
My Homeschool uses the outcomes and content to plan our curriculum. We also provide you with a comprehensive scope and sequence which lists the relevant syllabus codes and how they fit with our curriculum.
Planning With The Australian Curriculum
The NSW Syllabus is based on the Australian Curriculum, but it is written in two-year stages (3 years for Stage 1). However, the Australian Curriculum is set out in one-year blocks. I prefer using it for planning. Here’s why:
- the Australian Curriculum has less information and is therefore easier to absorb.
- the Australian Curriculum website is easier to navigate. It also provides PDFs on each subject for you to print off which includes syllabus content and achievement standards.
- the Australian curriculum is easier to understand because you do not need to sort through all the elaborations and outcomes to get to the content.
- sharing information with other homeschoolers from different states is easier when the same reference point is used.
If you want to research this more, here is a comprehensive article on NSW and the Australian Curriculum.
What Subjects Do I Need to Teach?
They are:
- sustainability – which is mostly environmental issues.
- Australia’s place in Asia
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history
If you add something into your curriculum each year that somehow addresses these issues you can comply.
Key learning areas in primary are:
- English
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- Human Society and its Environment – HISE (history, geography, economics, and civics)
- Creative and Practical Arts (fine arts, drama, dancing, and music)
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education – PDHPE (health information and physical education)
- Languages (This is an optional subject for homeschoolers).
Key learning areas in high school (7 to 10) are:
Compulsory Subjects
- English,
- Science,
- Math,
- HISE (history, geography, economics, and civics)
Electives Subjects you can choose to study 2 of the 4 other subjects in the syllabus.
- Creative and practical arts
- PDHPE
- Languages
- Design and Technology
Do I Need A Diary Or Timetable?
You do not need to keep a diary or timetable. However, you do need to have a record of learning.
Here is a quote from the official NESA Guide.
“Each family will vary in the specific types of records to be kept. A diary is one way of keeping a record of how the educational program has been implemented. A timetable is one way of planning learning times for different subjects. Parents may also use other approaches to planning and record-keeping.” p.49
Can I Buy A Plan?
Yes! When you use My Homeschool we give you the essential building blocks for your personalised learning plan.
We’ve done 75% of the work. We provide idea prompts and suggestions to help you personalise your application to suit your child’s specific needs.
With each grade we include:
- A learning plan in an editable Word document. Just fill in the sections we recommend.
- A scope and sequence with all syllabus outcomes and codes linked to resources.
- Editable Term Reports to make re-registration easy.
100% of our members report passing their registration and reregistration when using our templates.
You’ll find more information on home education registration and planning here.
What a relief and blessing for homeschool families to have all the nitty gritty details of daily homeschool and homeschool registration designed for us. It is wonderful to see how simple registration can be. Michelle you have created a method for recording that oozes simplicity and that is what we all want. Michelle and Jo you are a very present listening ear and help on the My Homeschool forum and your advice is all about making homeschool work for each one. I have absolute freedom in how I use this resource. I have not followed the schedule as is but have felt encouragement from you to make it work for my busy family lifestyle, quirks and passions. Year 5 is helping our ten year old to move into written narrations and I have found Our Sunburnt Country broken into small chunks with a notebook page for each reading, is so simple and achievable. My daughter’s confidence in writing has grown in the first term of using My Homeschool following this very natural method. Thank you Michelle and Jo, for your commitment to making homeschool simple. What a blessing you are.
Let Us Help You On The Homeschool Journey
My Homeschool is more than a curriculum, it is a holistic education community that supports parents and children on their homeschool journey. When you buy a graded homeschool program through My Homeschool you are joining a community that supports and mentors parents interested in educating their children academically and spiritually.
We give you a shortcut to help you get straight into giving your child a delightful and robust education without spending days and days researching and tweaking unsuitable content.
We Wanted A Curriculum That Worked For Home Educators
Our curriculum writers have already done the juggle of homeschooling a few children at once.
- We knew how lovely and important it is to learn as a family so we made some lessons and read alouds possible to teach as a group.
- We reduced the time needed for formal academics by crafting our curriculum so our resources and books often teach multiple topics.
- We made each grade fit each state’s syllabus so you can get registered easily.
- We gave you a streamlined intentional curriculum so you could give your children a wholesome integrated education from kindergarten to high school.
- We made sure it was academically challenging so your children will have career options, and a pathway to university if needed.
- We put it all in one place so you weren’t hunting around looking for resources every time you wanted to begin lessons.
- We made it easy to access your lessons and planner when you were out and about or travelling just by picking up your smartphone.
Buy A Course
Become a part of the My Homeschool community. Let us mentor you on the homeschool journey.