Evaluation meetings

Home educators must schedule an initial evaluation within the first 3 months of registration. Home educators are also required to schedule evaluations annually within 12 months of the annual registration date.

Following registration, home educators will receive an email with their allocated home education moderator’s details, including their contact information. It is the home educator’s responsibility to call or email their moderator to schedule the evaluation meetings outlined above.

At the evaluation meeting, your home education moderator will review your educational program and your child’s individual progress to ensure compliance with legislation. Moderators will not provide curriculum support or recommend specific resources.

As part of evaluation meetings, the home education moderator will complete an evaluation report, which will outline whether the education program and progress are deemed suitable. A copy of this report will be provided to you following the evaluation meeting.  

If the home education moderator finds the program or progress inadequate, the evaluation report will outline the issues, explain the reasons, and include recommended actions to address them. A re-evaluation meeting will be required and the home educator will receive a notice of concern.

Initial evaluation meeting within 3 months of registration

Progress will not be assessed during the initial evaluation meeting, as a benchmark has not yet been established. The education program for the upcoming year will be reviewed, including your educational goals for your child.

Annual evaluation meetings

During annual evaluation meetings, home educators will share their child’s current capabilities, progress since the previous evaluation and your intended education program for the coming year. The home educator will also have the opportunity to discuss learning activities completed and any challenges encountered. Evidence of the child’s progress will be required.

The moderator will use this information to determine whether the child has made progress, considering their individual circumstances. The Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline, or the ABLEWA curriculum (if applicable), developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA), may be used as a reference when considering progress.

Re-evaluation meetings

The purpose of the re-evaluation meeting is to give the home educator a chance to address any identified concerns. The home educator must be given at least 7 days notice of a re-evaluation meeting. If the issues have not been adequately addressed, the home educator's registration may be cancelled. If this is the case, the home educator will be notified and sent a notice of cancellation.

If you receive a notice of cancellation, you may apply in writing within 14 days to the Minister for Education for a review of the Director General’s decision to cancel your registration. Please note: any applications made outside of this time frame cannot be considered in accordance with the Act.

What to expect at the home education evaluation meeting 

At the home education evaluation visit, your home education moderator will ask questions to understand your child’s learning program, progress, and wellbeing. This helps ensure your program meets requirements and supports your child’s development.  

Below is a summary of what you can expect and how to prepare.

Before the evaluation starts 

The home education moderator will inform you about the Department’s privacy statement below: 

The Department of Education collects personal information from home educators for the purpose of administering and regulating home education in accordance with the School Education Act 1999 (WA). The information will be used to assess, monitor, and support ongoing responsibilities as a home educator. Information may be shared with authorised Department staff and, where necessary, other agencies or parties as permitted or required by law. The information will be stored securely within Australia with access restricted to authorised staff. If the information is not collected the Department cannot evaluate the home education program. The home educator may request access to, or correction of, information by contacting the Education Regional Office. For further information about how the Department handles personal information, please refer to the Privacy Policy. Information will be retained in accordance with the Department’s approved Retention and Disposal Authority. 

Make sure your contact details are up to date and let your moderator know if anything has changed. 

If your child does not attend or is not seen during the meeting, the reason will be recorded (e.g. parent request, student request, illness, or other). 

During the evaluation

During the evaluation, the moderator will ask you about your child's progress. 

Learning progress

You will be asked to describe: 

• your child’s year level 
• your child’s learning strengths 
• what they are doing well and enjoying in their education. 

Be prepared to talk about what your child enjoys and what subjects they are doing well in. 

Wellbeing, social and physical development 

You will be asked about the opportunities you provide for your child, including: 

• social and emotional wellbeing supports 
• social interaction and community involvement 
• physical activity and health education. 

Think about activities, groups, programs, or supports your child is involved in. 

Educational program 

Your home education moderator will look at your educational program to see if it suits your child’s individual needs, strengths, and interests. 

Explain to the moderator how your program is tailored to your child. 

Your child’s progress (not assessed at initial evaluation meeting) 

You will discuss: 

• your child’s progress over time 
• any factors that may be affecting their learning 
• evidence that shows your child is making progress. 

You can provide examples to the moderator,  such as work samples, notes, photos, or records that demonstrate learning and progress. 

Evaluation outcome 

At the end of the evaluation meeting, your home education moderator will discuss the outcome with you and record it in a report. The moderator will discuss the outcome and report with you to ensure you understand it, even if you have different views.

You will have the opportunity to share your feedback or raise any concerns, which will be recorded in the report. Depending on the outcome below, your moderator may advise when the next evaluation meeting is due. 

Outcomes include: 

• suitable: The educational program and student progress were suitable. 
• notice of concern: The educational program or student progress were not suitable. A notice of concern will be issued. A re-evaluation is required, where you will have the opportunity to address identified concerns. 
• notice of cancellation: The educational program or student progress were not suitable. A notice of cancellation will be issued. You may request a review of this decision by the Minister for Education within 24 days of receiving the notice of cancellation. 

After the evaluation 

You will be sent a copy of the evaluation report. If the program and progress are deemed suitable, you will also receive a letter of currency.