Submitting an application
Once you have gone through the planning and preparation stages, and you are comfortable with the educational program you have for your child, you are ready to apply for registration.
Application types
Applications are available for:
- initial registration for a child who has never been registered
- renewal of registration for a child who has been registered before, even if the previous period of registration lapsed some time ago
- Certificate of Completion of Year 10 where a parent wishes to apply for a certificate to confirm that the child has completed Year 10 by home schooling registration.
Application assessment
All applications, including initial applications, are assessed by a home visit. Read more about assessments and how they are conducted.
Application requirements
When you submit your application, you need to be prepared with the necessary evidence that will be required for the Authorised Person’s assessment.
Before you apply, ensure you have gone through the requirements and information found in:
- Section 4 of the Guidelines for Home Schooling Registration in NSW (the Guidelines)
- Preparing to apply for home schooling registration.
How to apply
You can apply to register your child for home schooling via:
You should receive an auto reply when you submit your application online or by email. This means NESA has received your application and is processing it.
Applications for registration can be submitted online via the Home Schooling Online website.
To use Home Schooling Online you must have both an email address and a mobile phone number.
Home Schooling Online will allow you to easily and securely:
- create or activate your online account
- apply for registration, or exemption from registration, for your child
- upload documentation such as:
- court orders
- guardian, carer or out of home care documents
- apply for a Certificate of Completion of Year 10 for your child
- view the status of your application
- withdraw your application
- discontinue your child’s current registration
- notify NESA of changes to your home address
- manage your online account, including changing your:
- password
- mobile phone number
- email address
- access a copy of your child’s certificate of registration.
For assistance, please refer to the how-to guides located on Home Schooling Online website.
New applicants
Select ‘create an account’ on the login page.
This is for a parent who has not applied to register a child at any point before.
Returning applicants
If you are a current or previous applicant, activate your account.
This is for a parent who has:
- a child currently registered for home schooling
- previously applied for home schooling
- had a child previously registered for home schooling.
If you applied or had a registered child more than 10 years ago, contact NESA.
To apply by email or mail, complete the relevant form below. Return it, preferably by email, to the Home Schooling Unit at homeschooling@nesa.nsw.edu.au.
- Home Schooling Unit
NESA
PO Box 5300
Sydney NSW 2001
Application forms
Additional question on application forms
A question has been added to application forms for initial registration and renewal of registration for home schooling. This question relates to a child’s schooling history and is optional for applicants to respond to. All applications continue to be assessed as described in the Guidelines for Home Schooling Registration in NSW.
Application timeframe
It may take up to 12 weeks to complete the process from the time of application to receipt of a certificate. It is rare for the overall time to exceed 12 weeks.
Under the provisions of the Education Act 1990, if a child of compulsory school age is not registered for home schooling with a current certificate of registration, the child must be enrolled in and attend a government or registered non-government school.
If you have questions about your child’s enrolment or attendance at school, please contact your child’s school or your relevant sector authority.