How to Register for Home Schooling in NSW — A Complete Guide
New South Wales has the most home schooled children in Australia — and the strictest registration process. With over 12,700 students now registered and numbers growing every year, more families than ever are choosing to educate their children at home. But the registration process in NSW is more involved than other states, and understanding what's required upfront will save you weeks of stress.
This guide walks you through everything: who's eligible, how to apply, what your educational program needs to include, and what to expect from the Authorised Person visit.
What changed in 2025?
An important update: the regulation of home schooling in NSW moved from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to the NSW Department of Education on 5 May 2025. For now, the process and requirements remain largely the same, but contact details are being transitioned. You can still reach the Home Schooling Unit by email at homeschooling@nesa.nsw.edu.au or by phone on 02 9367 8149 — calls and emails are being redirected to the new team.
Is home schooling legal in NSW?
Yes. Home schooling is provided for under Part 7, Subdivision 5 of the Education Act 1990. The Act recognises that the education of a child is primarily the responsibility of the child's parents. You don't need teaching qualifications — any parent or legal guardian can apply to register.
However, unlike some other states, NSW requires you to be registered before you withdraw your child from school. Your child must stay enrolled until your registration is approved.
Who is eligible?
To register for home schooling in NSW:
- Children aged 6 to 17 must be either enrolled in school or registered for home schooling — it's compulsory
- Optional registration is available for children turning 5 by 31 July in the year of application
- Students can continue registration up to age 18 (and beyond in some cases) to complete their educational program
- If there's a court order relating to parental responsibility, a copy must be included with your application
How NSW differs from other states
If you've heard about how home education works in Queensland or other states, be aware that NSW is different in a few key ways:
- You must be registered before you can withdraw your child from school. In QLD, you can apply and start at the same time. In NSW, your child stays at school until registration is approved.
- An Authorised Person (AP) will visit your home. This is a face-to-face assessment — not just a paper review. The AP needs to sight your child and review your educational program in person.
- Your educational program must be based on NSW syllabuses. While you have flexibility in how you teach, your program needs to demonstrate alignment with NESA's syllabus outcomes.
- Registration periods vary. Initial applicants can receive a maximum of 12 months. Experienced home schoolers may be granted up to 2 years.
What you need before you apply
Before submitting your application, you should have the following ready:
- Your child's details — full name, date of birth, current school (if enrolled)
- Proof of identity — for both you and your child
- Court orders — if applicable to parental responsibility
- Your educational program — this is the most important part (see below)
- A plan for recording learning — how you'll track activities and progress
- A suitable learning area — a description of where learning will happen and what resources you have
How to apply
You can apply online through Home Schooling Online (HSO), or download application forms from the NSW Government website. A separate application is required for each child.
There are two types of applications:
- Initial registration — for a child who has never been registered for home schooling
- Renewal of registration — for a child who has been registered before (use this form even if the previous registration lapsed some time ago)
Submit your application by:
Tip: It's recommended you apply at least 3 months before you want to start home schooling. The average processing time is around 7 weeks, though it can take up to 12 weeks.
Writing your educational program
This is where most NSW parents feel the pressure — and where getting it right matters most. Your educational program must demonstrate that it is based on the outcomes and content of NSW syllabuses, or an equivalent.
Key Learning Areas you must cover
Primary (K–6):
- English
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE)
- Creative Arts
- Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
Secondary (7–10):
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- HSIE (History, Geography, Commerce, Aboriginal Studies or Work Studies)
- Technology
- Creative Arts
- PDHPE
- Plus 2 electives of your choice
Your electives don't need to be traditional school subjects. Families have successfully registered with electives like Equestrian Studies, Photography, Food Technology, or even a TAFE Certificate.
What makes a strong educational program
- Reference NSW syllabuses directly. Use the syllabus outcomes and content descriptions as your framework. For 2026, align with ACARA v9.0 content descriptions.
- Personalise it to your child. Show that you've thought about your child's specific needs, interests, and learning style.
- Be specific about resources. Name the books, programs, websites, and materials you'll use for each learning area.
- Describe your approach. Explain how your child will learn — structured lessons, hands-on projects, excursions, online courses, or a mix.
- Include your recording method. Explain how you'll keep records of learning activities and track your child's progress.
What the Authorised Person is looking for
The AP is not there to assess your child or test them. They want to see:
- That your educational program covers the required learning areas
- That it's based on NSW syllabuses
- That you have resources and a suitable learning space
- That you have a plan for recording learning
- That you've thought about your child's individual needs
The AP will need to sight your child during the visit, but your child doesn't need to participate in the discussion — they just need to be present.
The Authorised Person visit
About 1–3 weeks after you submit your application, an Authorised Person will contact you to arrange a visit. Here's what to expect:
Before the visit
- Read through your educational program so you can discuss it confidently
- Have your resources, books, and materials visible and accessible
- Set up your learning space so the AP can see it
- Consider having a support person present — an experienced home schooler or someone from the Home Education Association can sit in with you
During the visit
- The AP will discuss your educational program with you
- They'll want to see how it aligns with NSW syllabuses
- They'll look at your learning space and resources
- They'll sight your child (your child just needs to say hello — they don't need to be part of the meeting)
- The visit is a conversation, not an exam
After the visit
- The AP makes a recommendation to NESA (now the Department of Education)
- Their recommendation will specify the curriculum level and registration period
- You'll receive a Certificate of Registration by email if approved
- Initial registration is typically for up to 12 months
- Experienced home schoolers may receive up to 2 years
After registration
Once registered, you'll need to:
- Deliver your educational program as outlined in your application
- Keep records of learning activities and your child's progress
- Apply for renewal before your registration period expires
- Notify the Home Schooling Unit of any change of address or circumstances
Helpful contacts and resources
- Home Schooling Unit: Phone 02 9367 8149 or email homeschooling@nesa.nsw.edu.au
- Home Education Association (HEA) NSW: heansw@hea.edu.au — volunteer support for registration questions
- HEA Helpline: 1300 72 99 91 — experienced home educators available to help
- NSW Government home schooling page: nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/home-schooling
How Apply-ED can help
NSW has the most rigorous registration process in Australia, and writing your educational program is where most parents struggle. The Authorised Person visit adds another layer of pressure — you want to feel confident that your program is strong before they arrive.
That's exactly what Apply-ED is built for. Our programs are built on the Australian Curriculum (ACARA v9.0), which forms the foundation of NSW syllabuses. This means your program overview covers the key learning areas and content that Authorised Persons expect to see.
When you create your program through Apply-ED, you'll receive:
- A one-pager guide explaining how to use your program and navigate the registration process
- A complete program overview tailored to your child — covering all required key learning areas and ready to present to your Authorised Person
Want more structure for your day-to-day home schooling? You can also add weekly plans — four detailed plans (one for each study block) that map out your child's learning week by week.
Stop stressing about the paperwork and the AP visit. Start with a program you can be proud of.
Create your program
Last updated: April 2026. The regulation of home schooling in NSW transferred from NESA to the NSW Department of Education in May 2025. Requirements and processes may continue to evolve — always check the official NSW Government home schooling page for the latest information.
