COVID-19: Home schooling FAQs

FAQ for parents considering home schooling registration

  1. What are my options if I don't want my child to attend school?
  2. My child is currently completing the VCE, VCAL and, or VET units. If I decide to home school my child, can they complete these units?
  3. If I choose to home school my child, will I have access to school resources and support?
  4. If I decide to register for home schooling, do I have to maintain the registration for a set period?

1. What are my options if I don't want my child to attend school?

If you don't want your child to attend school can register them for home schooling.

By law, children who are 6 to 17 years old must be enrolled at school or be registered for home schooling.

If you choose home education, you'll need to apply for registration. Registration involves submitting:

  • an application
  • a learning plan
  • the necessary documentation such as proof of identity.

For more information, see:

2. My child is currently completing the VCE, VCAL and, or VET units. If I decide to home school my child, can they complete these units?

No, students cannot complete VCE or VET units while registered for home schooling. If your child wishes to pursue their VCE or VCAL, contact your school to discuss their options.

3. If I choose to home school my child, will I have access to school resources and support?

No. Students registered for home schooling do not have access to the same resources and support as school students. Parents are responsible for developing their child's learning plan, providing resources and delivering instruction. If your child requires the supports offered in school, contact your school to discuss.

4. If I decide to register for home schooling, do I have to maintain the registration for a set period?

No, there is no set registration period. Once granted, a registration is in place until 31 December of that year. You can contact us at any time to cancel your child's registration if you choose to re-enrol them in a school. If you are considering returning to a school enrolment at some point, it's always a good idea to discuss this with your school principal before registering your child for home schooling.

FAQ for those already registered

  1. COVID-19 has led to changes in my child's learning plan. Do I have to notify the VRQA?
  2. Some of our learning areas were completed through a partial enrolment. I’m not comfortable with that arrangement anymore. What should I do?
  3. Our home education previously involved visits to libraries, museums, art galleries and so on. With these venues being affected by COVID-19, is the VRQA providing additional resources to help families develop a program?
  4. Are home schooling reviews going ahead this year?
  5. Am I able to contact the team if I have questions or need information?

1. COVID-19 has led to changes in my child’s learning plan. Do I have to notify the VRQA?

No. We understand many learning plans have changed as a result of shutdowns and social distancing. You are not required to submit an updated learning plan.

2. Some of our learning areas were completed through a partial enrolment. I’m not comfortable with that arrangement anymore. What should I do?

As a first step, talk to the school about your concerns. If the school is unable to support the learning areas, you may develop your own content.

If you are unable to develop content, you may choose to cease your child's instruction in this learning area. An exemption is not required.

3. Our home education previously involved visits to libraries, museums, art galleries and so on. With these venues being affected by COVID-19, is the VRQA providing additional resources to help families develop a program?

We don't produce learning resources. We have collated some online resources on our website. We also highlight some resources through our Facebook page. 

Registered families can also access Scootle, which offers thousands of educational resources developing in line with the Australian Curriculum. If you would like access to this database, please send a request via email providing your child's name:

 FUSE is also available for all families. This site offers extensive resources linked to the Victorian Curriculum. To access fuse, see:

4. Are home schooling reviews going ahead this year?

Yes, home schooling reviews have gone ahead this year.

Under our modified review program, location visits cannot occur. All reviews are being conducted via phone or email submission. We've taken a pragmatic approach to reviews that recognises the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to all our lives.

Check out our recorded presentation Reviews and You for more information about the 2020 review program:

5.  Am I able to contact the team if I have questions or need information?

Of course! You’re welcome to contact us at any time. Our contact details are: