The Application
The application form is available in Word or PDF format.Note if your child is aged 5, you are not obliged to register until their sixth birthday. You can of course, begin educating them before that.
Learning Plans
You must provide “regular and efficient instruction that, taken as a whole, substantially addresses the (8) learning areas”. This means providing resources and experiences to facilitate your child's learning. You do not need to replicate school at home. Don't stress, if your application is missing information, the VRQA will let you know what they need, not refuse your registration.Learning plans are
Learning plans are not
The Eight Key Learning Areas (KLAs)
Your program does not have to look like school.
It's time to brainstorm
Learning plans can include
Learning plans can include
Some areas may now have lots of activities. If you have three or more things, you do not need to add more. That’s not to say you can’t do more, just that you don’t have to list more in the plan. When filling the gaps, aim for every activity to be a successful learning opportunity for your child. Rich activities often cover multiple areas, and integrating areas helps to make less favoured subjects more relevant.
Variety is key, think about how your child learns best, and try to find options which will work with them. Avoid spending lots of money initially, it’s common to purchase books or resources and find that they are not the good fit you expected.
You can include
You can include
Prepare your plan
Certain information must be included in each learning plan, but how you present it is up to you. The templates provide a good guide of how much information is expected. If your brainstorming document consisted of 5-7 activities which each covered multiple KLAs, then the Activity Based template (Word or PDF) would be a good fit. If not the Subject Based template (Word or PDF) might be a better fit.
You should choose one template only. Alternatively you can create your own, but most people find it is easier to choose from what is already available.
Do
You don't have to
The examples below give you an idea of how much to include. One is for an Activity-Based plan, the other for a Subject-Based plan. You can briefly mention all the information listed above in dot points, or sentences – whatever you prefer.
Choose a template on how you can most easily present the information. The subject based plan can still be used to list activities (such as creating a family tree of the gods, or mummifying an apple). Aim to include 3-5 things your child will do, and four varied resources. At least one resource should be more specific (name of a book, website, game etc).
This template is suited to families who prefer to lay out their plan using one topic to cover multiple KLAs. For every KLA listed in the right hand column, there should be a corresponding activity in the Details column-- if you list a KLA you need to make sure it relates to something you've mentioned in the related activity.
An activity can cover any number of KLAs (such as building and harvesting from a veggie patch), and some might only cover one KLA (for example learning German). Aim for 5-7 activities, and check that each KLA is mentioned at least once. If an activity covers just one KLA, then like in the subject plan above, aim to mention 3-5 things your child will do for that KLA. Follow the guidelines for resources given above.
Learning Plan Questions
Before you submit your application
Checklist
Submission and Approval
Submission
To submit your application to the VRQA, email it to home.schooling@education.vic.gov.au . You will receive a confirmation email. If you don't receive that, wait a day and phone the VRQA on 9637 2806 to check they received it.
If there is information missing from your application, the VRQA will contact you. So long as you respond with the requested information, your application will not be refused.
If you want to start home educating ASAP, put the date of application on the form.
If you have a 5 year old, you can not be registered until the calendar year in which they turn 6. The latest you can register is their birthday (apply at least 28 days before that date).
If you wish to register to start on a future date, that date can not be more than 6 calendar months from the date you submit the application.
Approval
Approval takes an average of 9 days, no more than 28 days. You will receive one registration email per child, which may not arrive on the same day.
All registrations are for the calendar year. Towards the end of the year, you will receive one email per child to check if you are continuing to home educate next year. Just click the appropriate yes/no option. You will not be required to submit another learning plan, as registration extension is automatic. If you registered your child in their primary school years, you don't have to resubmit a plan for their secondary school years.
Attendance while waiting
School-aged children are obliged to attend school while waiting. If they are unsafe, don't send them, instead ask the principal to approve their absence, get a medical certificate. If these options aren't available see our advice.
If your child has a disability, you may be eligible for a federal payment called Assistance For Isolated Children Scheme (AIC), and can apply as soon as your registration is granted. For more information on the AIC payment, please visit https://home-ed.vic.edu.au/assistance-for-isolated-children/