About HEN

The Home Education Network (HEN) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting, empowering and connecting home-educating families across Australia.

Founded in 1980 as the Alternative Education Resource Group (AERG), HEN was begun by parents exploring alternatives to mainstream schooling. Over 30 years ago, the group’s focus shifted more fully to home education, and we became the Home Education Network. Since then HEN has grown into the largest and most active home education support network in the country, proudly championing home education as a legitimate, enriching and flexible learning choice.

What We Do

HEN provides a wide range of support, services and community opportunities for families, including:

  • Events, Camps and Activities – Regular opportunities for families to meet, learn and build lasting connections
  • Workshops and Webinars – Monthly online sessions led by experienced home educators, along with support groups for specific needs such as disability and neurodivergence
  • Advocacy and Representation – HEN works with government and regulatory bodies to ensure home educators’ voices are heard and rights are protected. We were instrumental in the formation of the Victorian Home Education Advisory Committee (VHEAC), where home educators now hold a seat at the table
  • Resources and Publications – Members receive access to Home Education Guides, information booklets, planning tools and our flagship publication Otherways, the oldest and most widely read home education magazine in Australia
  • Community Support – Peer-to-peer support through our helpline, email assistance, member forums, Facebook groups and Pinterest boards
  • Discounts and Member Benefits – Access to education supplier discounts, member-only publications,free entry to HEN-hosted workshops and more

Who We Are

HEN is a parent support group, not a business or government body. Everything we do is powered by volunteers who are parents and carers with lived experience of home education. Our team is committed to helping you find information, connect with others, book into events and make the most of your home education journey.

As volunteers, many of us still educating our own children, we cannot always respond instantly. We are however committed to supporting families with care, efficiency and understanding.

Our Mission

At HEN, we believe in:

  • Empowering families to make confident choices about child-centred education
  • Nurturing curiosity, creativity and confidence in children
  • Building an inclusive and diverse community where all families feel welcome
  • Protecting the rights and freedoms of home educators through strong advocacy and collaboration

Get Involved

HEN is more than an organisation, it is a community. We encourage members to log in to the members’ area for resources, recordings and extra benefits, including the video “How HEN Protects Home Education with Sue Wight”.

Together, we are empowering families and transforming learning.