Home Education
Introduction to Home Education
What is home education?
Who can be home educated?
Who can apply for home education?
Does my child need an exemption certificate?
Further information
Publications
Non-Government Education Section
Education in the ACT – a matter of choice
In the ACT, parents have the right to choose a suitable educational environment that will provide a high quality education for their children.
Home education is a choice recognised in the Education Act 2004. 
What is home education?
Home education is education conducted by one or both of the child's parents from their home base. In doing so, the parents accept the responsibility for planning, implementing and evaluating the child's educational experiences.
Home education is committed to:
- offering a broad range of opportunities that foster in each child the development of the child's unique spiritual, emotional, physical, social and intellectual being
- valuing the individual needs, interests and aptitudes of each child
- preparing each child to become an independent and effective local and global citizen
Who can be home educated?
Home education is optional for children younger than 6 years and older than 15 years but children of compulsory school age between 6 and 15 years must receive an education through the choice of home education or school enrolment unless exempted through application.
Who can apply for home education?
Under the Education Act 2004, the eligibility to apply for home education is limited to the parent of the child to be registered for home education. This information is generally contained on the certified copy of the birth certificate provided with the application. In some circumstances, a current court order may grant or remove a person's parental responsibility.
Does my child need an exemption certificate?
Exemption certificates are not required for home educated children. The legislation acknowledges that home education is an educational option and requires that parents complete the registration process.
Further information
The manual, Registration of Home Education in the ACT outlines parents' responsibilities in relation to home education under the Act.
Further information on home education is available by contacting the Manager, Non-government Education, Department of Education and Training by phone on (02) 6205 9301 or by email at det.ngso@act.gov.au.
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