Homeschooling in New South Wales
Registration requirements, official resources, and helpful guidance for New South Wales.
Homeschooling is a well-established and fully legal choice in New South Wales. If your child is of compulsory school age, you'll need to register with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) before you begin — but the process is more supportive than it first looks, and thousands of NSW families do it successfully every year. This guide walks you through who needs to register, how the process works, and where to find the official information, so you can take your first step with confidence.
📋 Registration Process
Who needs to register. In NSW, children aged 6 to 17 are of compulsory school age. If you’re home schooling a child in this age range, you must register with NESA. You can’t be registered for home schooling and enrolled in a school (including distance education) for the same period.
Step 1 — Read the NESA Home Schooling Information Package. NESA publishes a free information package explaining the requirements, your responsibilities and what the educational program needs to cover.
Step 2 — Prepare your educational program. Your program must be based on the NSW syllabuses for the relevant Key Learning Areas (for primary: English, Mathematics, Science & Technology, HSIE, Creative Arts, and PDHPE). You don’t need to recreate a classroom.
Step 3 — Submit your application to NESA. Apply to NESA for registration for home schooling, providing your details, your child’s details and information about your proposed program.
Step 4 — The Authorised Person (AP) visit. A NESA Authorised Person will arrange to meet you to discuss your program and how you’ll deliver and record it. This is a supportive review, not a test.
Step 5 — Registration granted. Once approved, you’ll receive a Certificate of Registration. Keep records and work samples to support your next registration.
Please confirm current registration periods and steps on the NESA website — these can change.
💡 Helpful Guidance
Start the registration process early. Allow several weeks between applying and your AP visit. You can begin planning your program before registration is finalised.
You don’t need to “do school at home.” NESA looks for a thoughtful program covering the Key Learning Areas — not a replica of a classroom timetable.
Keep simple records as you go. A folder with your program outline, a few work samples per Key Learning Area, and notes on what you’ve covered makes your next registration far easier. Try our free Portfolio & Record-Keeping Template.
The AP visit is on your side. Authorised Persons are experienced and supportive. Have your program and a few examples ready, and treat it as a conversation.
Connect with other NSW families. Local park days, co-ops and online groups are some of the most valuable support you’ll find — see the NSW communities and events below.
Connect with other homeschooling families and discover events near you.