Homeschooling VIC – The Essential Parents’ Guide

Homeschooling in Victoria has become increasingly popular in recent times, providing a new way of learning for students, and new possibilities for parents and guardians. The pandemic has been a catalyst, at first forcing us into new ways of operating, and then demonstrating the benefits of home education for some children. With work and family life becoming increasingly flexible, it is no surprise that registrations have increased.

Homeschooling can be a daunting prospect to consider, but taking a methodical approach and gaining a thorough understanding of the requirements will give you the confidence to try homeschooling and to see how you can design a curriculum and content plan that suits your family’s needs. Applications in Victoria are managed through the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA).

Registering for Homeschooling with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority

It is a legal requirement to go through the correct processes and to liaise with the VRQA. The first step when looking into homeschooling in Victoria is understanding the registration process. Parents and caregivers can register their children for homeschooling between the ages of six and seventeen. This process cannot commence prior to the beginning of the year your child turns six.

This is the link to the Home Education Application Form. 

Curriculum requirements for Homeschooling in Victoria

There are six basic subjects that are required by the Victoria homeschool curriculum. They are:

• English
• Mathematics
• Sciences (including physics, chemistry and biology)
• Humanities and Social Sciences (including history, geography, economics, business, civics and citizenship)
• The Arts
• Languages
• Health and Physical Education
• iInformation and communication technology, and design and technology.

The application requires the following:

• A description of how you will provide regular and efficient instruction to cover the eight learning areas

• A description of the resources and reference materials you have available to teach your child, and an explanation of how you intend to use them

• There are no specifics on what needs to be covered for each learning area – this gives you the freedom to decide what will best suit your child’s needs and allows for a truly personalised curriculum.

At first impression, this can seem daunting, but gaining an understanding of the support materials available, and ensuring you take a methodical approach to the application process can greatly assist with navigating the application for exemption process.

Homeschooling VIC Support Groups

One of the common concerns from parents who are interested in homeschooling is around socialisation and ensuring that children have access to extra-curricular activities. Throughout Victoria, there are a number of after school activities and a range of support groups available.

Homeschool groups, Scouts, Guides, cadets, ballet and music classes, swimming lessons, sports clubs, and other online groups around areas of interest ensure that homeschooled children have just as busy and enriched a schedule as their traditionally schooled counterparts. Many areas have online groups that get together on a regular basis for activities, field trips, or even school camps.

VIC Homeschooling Assessment and Reporting Requirements

At times, homeschooling parents and caregivers may need to provide proof of a structured programme and of recorded process. Online platforms such as Education Perfect that keep a record of all the subjects covered alongside any assessments completed can help with demonstrating progression as a part of a holistic learning programme. This may be as simple as referring to the objectives, taking photos of learning activities, or dating samples throughout the year to demonstrate procession.

See how to use EP to help plan your homeschool curriculum. 

FAQs for Homeschooling VIC

Is homeschooling right for my family?

Homeschooling is an excellent alternative for parents who want to provide their children with a well-rounded education that explores non-traditional content and offers flexibility in the mode of delivery and timetable. To be successful at this, you will need commitment and dedication from both yourself as well as other members of the community or family.

How long does it take to find out if my application is successful?

Each application is processed as quickly as possible and students must remain in school while this process is ongoing. Applications may take up to 28 days from the receipt of a complete application. Once a decision has been made, the outcome will be notified by written communication.

How much time do I need to teach each subject?

There is no hard and fast rule on specific time allocations, just make sure that you meet the requirements provided in the curriculum. The time you spend on each subject or module depends on your child’s needs, their progression, and where they need support. Get as much support as you need, and make sure that you connect with other homeschooling parents – different strengths can create support systems for different subjects.

How can EP help me to deliver a homeschool programme in Victoria?

Many programmes are available, and leveraging technology as a part of a holistic homeschool programme can be highly effective. For example, EP records every question answered, minute spent learning, and task and assessment that your child completes. This provides fantastic pre-assessment data and can help with common tests like NAPLAN, and ensuring that there is a measure of progress that is easily viewed,

This information is invaluable when it comes to reporting time, and helps to plan a sequence of content. There is real-time tracking of progress and it is easy to see at a snapshot how your child is progressing. This can help with planning future lessons that are tailor-made, and also assess how effective the programme is at catering to weaknesses and strengths.