11. Completion of Year 10

Under the Act, the completion of compulsory schooling is either the completion of Year 10 or the age of 17 years, whichever comes first.

The Act defines that Year 10 can be completed by one of the following approaches:

• Year 10 by home schooling registration or school education;
• a course provided by TAFE NSW that is approved as being the equivalent of Year 10;
• the equivalent of Year 10 in another State; or
• education in any special circumstance approved by the Minister (apprenticeship or traineeship).

Under the Act, if a child completes Year 10 and the child is not yet 17 years of age, the child is required to do one of the following until turning 17 years of age:

• participate in full-time approved education (including home schooling registration) or training, or
• if over the age of 15 years, be in full-time paid work, or
• a combination of paid work and approved education or training for the equivalent of a full- time basis.

See Appendix 2 of the Guidelines for a summary of options other than home schooling for completing Year 10 or further education.

Certificate of Completion of Year 10

If a child has completed Year 10 by home schooling registration, a parent may apply to NESA for a Certificate of Completion of Year 10 for the child.

A Certificate of Completion of Year 10 is optional. Some parents have found it helpful for enrolment in further study or for employment. For advice about whether another organisation requires the child to have a Certificate of Completion of Year 10, it is best to contact the enrolling organisation.

NESA does not require children to obtain a Certificate of Completion of Year 10.

A Certificate of Completion of Year 10 is based on the child having completed Year 10 by home schooling registration. Assessment of the child’s learning achievements is not required.

Eligibility for a Certificate of Completion of Year 10 by home schooling registration is based on the following:

• the child having been registered for secondary education (Year 10) in the previous 12- month period; and
• evidence to show that the educational program for registration for Year 10 (secondary education) was implemented and completed including records of the program, samples of assessment records and samples of the child’s work.

The application form is available on the NESA website.

An application for a Certificate of Completion of Year 10 may be made around six weeks in advance of when the parent considers that Year 10 will be completed or within 12 months of the child completing Year 10.

An application for a Certificate of Completion of Year 10 is assessed by an Authorised Person who will review records relating to the completion of the Year 10 educational program in order to make a decision. The child is not assessed.

A Certificate of Completion of Year 10 specifies the child’s name, the address where home schooling for Year 10 took place and the date of issue. It will also include the statement that the child has satisfied the relevant participation requirements for completion of Year 10 by home schooling registration.

If a child has completed Year 10, any further period of home schooling registration must be based on the curriculum for post-Year 10, that is, the curriculum for Years 11 and 12.

Overview of the application and assessment process

The following provides an overview of the key steps in the application and assessment process for a Certificate of Completion of Year 10.