ACT Homeschooling
Guide
Homeschooling in the ACT can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you begin researching registration requirements, learning plans and reviews.
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The good news is that homeschooling does not need to look like school at home. Many ACT families use flexible, personalised approaches that suit their child’s learning style, interests and needs.
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This guide is here to simplify the process and explain what homeschooling in the ACT generally looks like.
Registering for Homeschooling in ACT
Many families worry that they need:
- a dedicated classroom,
- expensive programs,
- strict school hours,
- or perfectly planned lessons.
That is not the expectation.
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4
Receive registration approval and begin your homeschooling journey.
3
Your application will be reviewed by the ACT Education Directorate. Families may also participate in discussions or review processes regarding their educational program.
2
Prepare your learning plans and educational information showing how learning will be supported at home.
1
Submit your application and supporting documents.
Homeschooling in the ACT is registered through the ACT Education Directorate.
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To register, families submit an application, proof of identity/birth certificate, and an educational program.
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The registration process generally looks like this:
The ACT
Learning Plan
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One of the biggest worries for new homeschooling families is the learning plan. The ACT expects families to provide a suitable educational program that supports their child’s learning and development over time.
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This does not mean you must recreate school at home or follow a classroom model. It simply means your child’s learning should broadly address the Australian Curriculum.
What Learning
Can Look Like
- reading together,
- coding,
- cooking,
- documentaries,
- excursions,
- games,
- projects,
- sports,
- museums,
- community activities,
- creative activities,
- and everyday life.
Your learning plans do not need to contain:
- rigid daily lesson plans,
- formal classroom timetables,
- or pages and pages of detailed programming.
Most families create flexible plans showing:
- learning focus areas,
- educational goals,
- topics or projects,
- planned activities,
- resources and programs,
- child interests and strengths,
- and how learning may be documented.
Key Learning Areas
for ACT
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English
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Mathematics
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Science
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Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
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The Arts
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Health and Physical Education
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Technologies
Records and Review
Once registered, families are expected to continue supporting and documenting learning over time. This is another area that sounds far scarier than it usually is.
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You do not need to keep every worksheet your child completes or create massive portfolios filled with perfectly organised evidence - the main goal is showing ongoing learning and educational progress over time.
Most homeschooling families collect evidence naturally as learning happens. Evidence may include:
- photos
- work samples
- journals
- reading records
- projects
- conversations
- observations
- videos
- online learning records
- artwork
- practical activities
- excursions
- creative work
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SIMPLIFY YOUR PATH
Our Free Planning Bundles
Our Planning Bundles are more specifically aligned to NSW wording considering their Learning Plans require a bit more detailed connection to Syllabus Outcomes. However, the planning bundles can be used in every State as a guide to how to connect everyday activities to learning areas and how to collect evidence.
Year Overview & Term Planners
A high-level glance at outcomes for every KLA, with term-by-term planners showing subject progression and consolidation targets.
End-of-Year Summaries
Track progress easily with simple checklists to mark where your child is achieving or emerging in confidence for each NESA outcome.
Evidence & Activity Logs
Clear guidance on capturing work samples and photos, removing the stress of remembering everything for your review visit.
Reflections & Lesson Ideas
Gentle reflection sheets to help you pause and adjust gently, plus hands-on activity bank for engaging homeschooling days.