How to Register for Home Education in Queensland — A Complete Guide
Thinking about homeschooling your child in Queensland? You're not alone. With over 11,800 students now registered for home education in QLD — more than double the number from just a few years ago — thousands of families are making the switch every year. The registration process is simpler than most people expect, but it helps to understand exactly what's involved before you begin.
This guide walks you through everything: who's eligible, what documents you need, how to write your education plan, and what happens after you submit your application to Queensland Home Education (QHE).
Is home education legal in Queensland?
Yes, absolutely. Home education is a legally recognised alternative to school enrolment under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006. You don't need teaching qualifications, and any parent or legal guardian can apply. You just need to register with Queensland Home Education (QHE), which sits within the Department of Education.
Who is eligible?
To register for home education in Queensland, your child must:
- Be at least 5 years and 6 months old (and under 18) on 31 December of the year registration takes effect
- Not be simultaneously enrolled in a state or non-state school
- Have a parent or legal guardian who is a Queensland resident
Registration is compulsory for children of compulsory school age (from 6 years and 6 months). For children aged 5½ to 6½, registration is optional but available.
The two types of registration
1. Provisional registration (60 days)
This is a short-term registration that lets you start homeschooling immediately while you prepare your full application. It's ideal if you need to withdraw your child from school quickly.
How it works:
- Contact QHE and provide basic details about you and your child
- Include proof of age (usually a birth certificate) and proof of parental responsibility
- QHE will confirm provisional registration by email, typically within 2 business days
- The 60-day period starts from the date of that confirmation email
- You'll need to submit a full registration application before the provisional period ends
2. Full registration
This is the standard pathway. You submit a complete application including your child's proposed educational program, and QHE assesses it. Once approved, registration is ongoing, subject to annual reporting.
What you need to apply
Your application to QHE must include:
- The completed application form — available online through the QHE portal or as a downloadable form
- Proof of your child's age — typically a certified copy of their birth certificate
- Proof of parental responsibility — the birth certificate usually covers this; if you're a guardian, you'll need to provide relevant court orders
- Your child's proposed educational program — a summary covering the next 12 months (more on this below)
- A signed declaration form
You can submit online, by email to homeeducation@qed.qld.gov.au, or by post.
Important: If your education plan isn't ready when you apply, you can submit the application without it and provide the plan within 28 days. QHE will request anything that's missing.
How to write your educational program (the plan)
This is the part that worries most parents — but it doesn't need to be complicated. QHE wants to see that you've thought about your child's learning and that you can provide a high-quality education. Here's what your plan should cover:
The key areas QHE looks for:
- Learning areas — Cover at least 5 subjects, including English, Maths, Science, HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences), and HPE (Health and Physical Education) as a minimum
- Goals for each area — What your child will learn or work towards. Use action words: "will investigate," "will create," "will develop"
- Resources — Be specific about what you'll use for each learning area: books, programs, apps, online courses, hands-on materials
- Learning styles — A brief note about how your child learns best (visual, hands-on, verbal, etc.)
- Socialisation — How your child will interact with peers and build friendships
- Physical learning space — A brief description of where learning will happen (desk, internet access, books, etc.)
- Recording and assessment — How you'll track progress (learning diary, dated work samples, portfolios)
Tips for a strong plan:
- Focus on your child specifically. QHE wants to see that you've tailored the plan to your child's interests, needs, and abilities — not just copied a generic curriculum.
- You don't need to follow the Australian Curriculum exactly. You need to provide a high-quality education, but you have flexibility in how you do it. Many families use a mix of structured programs and child-led learning.
- There's no required length. Plans that are 1 page or 60 pages get approved. The average is around 6–10 pages, but quality matters more than quantity.
- Use a range of approaches. QHE likes to see variety — books, hands-on activities, excursions, online tools, real-world experiences.
Step-by-step: the registration process
Step 1: Decide and prepare
Gather your documents (birth certificate, declaration form) and start thinking about your educational program. You don't need it to be perfect before you apply.
Step 2: Withdraw from school
On the same day you submit your application to QHE, send an email to your child's school to cancel their enrolment. A simple email works:
"Please cancel [child's name]'s enrolment as of [date], as we have registered for home education. Thank you."
Your child cannot be enrolled in school and registered for home education at the same time.
Step 3: Submit your application
Apply through the QHE online portal, by email, or by post. You'll receive provisional registration as soon as your application is received — typically confirmed within a few business days.
Step 4: Provide your education plan
If you didn't include your plan with the initial application, you have approximately 28 days to submit it. Email it to homeeducation@qed.qld.gov.au.
Step 5: QHE reviews your application
QHE will assess your application and educational program. This can take up to 90 days, but your child is provisionally registered and can be learning at home during this time. If anything is missing or unclear, QHE will contact you to request more information.
Step 6: Registration confirmed
Once approved, you'll receive confirmation of your child's full registration. You are now legally responsible for providing their education.
After registration: what's required
Once registered, you need to:
- Provide your child's educational program and monitor their progress throughout the year
- Submit an annual report in the 10th month of registration. This includes a summary of what your child learned, plus at least two dated work samples from three learning areas (six samples total). English and Maths must be included.
- Notify QHE of any address changes within 28 days
- Renew or continue registration — your registration continues as long as you meet the conditions and submit your annual reports
Helpful contacts and resources
- Queensland Home Education (QHE): Phone 1800 677 176 or email homeeducation@qed.qld.gov.au
- Home Education QLD Inc: A volunteer-run support organisation — homeeducationqld.org
- Home Education Association (HEA): National support body — hea.edu.au
How Apply-ED can help
The registration process is straightforward, but writing your educational program is where most parents get stuck. That's exactly what Apply-ED is built for.
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 — ready to submit to QHE as part of your application
Stop stressing about the paperwork and start focusing on your child's education.
Learn more about our Program
Last updated: April 2026. Information in this guide is based on current QHE requirements. Always check the official Queensland Government home education page for the latest information.
