1. Policy statement
The Department of Education manages the registration of home educators, the evaluation of home education programs and children’s educational progress in accordance with the School Education Act 1999.
2. Policy rules
Directors of education must:
- manage the registration of home educators
- take action where there is a concern recorded in accordance with the Home Education Procedures.
Home education moderators must:
- evaluate home educators’ programs and children’s educational progress
- communicate relevant information to parents and their regional executive director.
3. Responsibility for implementation and compliance
Home education moderators, coordinator regional services, coordinator regional operations and directors of education are responsible for implementation of the policy.
Line managers are responsible for compliance monitoring.
4. Scope
This policy applies to directors of education, coordinator regional services, coordinator regional operations and home education moderators.
5. Supporting procedures
6. Definitions
The compulsory education period is from the beginning of year in which the child reaches the age of 5-years-and-6-months, until:
- the end of the year in which the child reaches the age of 17-years-and-6-months
- the child reaches the age of 18-years
- If a child satisfies the minimum requirements for graduation from secondary school established under the School Curriculum and Standards Authority Act 1997 before the end of the compulsory education period.
whichever happens first.
An organised set of learning activities designed to enable a child to develop knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes relevant to the child’s individual needs.
A parent registered under section 48 of the School Education Act 1999 (WA).
A person appointed by the director of education to evaluate and report on home education programs and progress
In relation to a child, a person who at law has responsibility for the long term care, welfare and development of the child, or the day-to-day care, welfare and development of the child.
7. Related documents
8. Contact information
Policy Manager:
Operational Initiatives, Schools
Policy contact officer:
Senior Consultant, Operational Initiatives
T: (08) 9264 8487
E: Operationalinitiatives.shared@education.wa.edu.au
9. History of changes
| Effective date | Last update date | Policy version no. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 August 2014 | 3.0 | ||
| Policy has undergone major review. Policy and Procedures endorsed by DG on 27 June 2014. | |||
| 5 August 2014 | 3.1 | ||
| Contact details updated D14/0388147 | |||
| 5 August 2014 | 16 February 2015 | 3.2 | |
| Contact details updated D15/0057184 | |||
| 5 August 2014 | 23 March 2015 | 3.3 | |
| Contact information updated to reflect change in position from Director, Office of the Director General to Executive Director, Organisational Governance. D15/0085666 | |||
| 5 August 2014 | 4 August 2015 | 3.4 | |
| Updated contact information D15/0260244 | |||
| 5 August 2014 | 14 October 2015 | 3.5 | |
| Compliance monitoring updated to reflect restructuring of Organisational Governance. D15/0085666 | |||
| 5 August 2014 | 2 August 2017 | 3.6 | |
| Updated contact information D17/0326700 | |||
| 5 August 2014 | 27 August 2018 | 3.7 | |
| Minor changes to include reference to Public Schools D18/0151652, updated legislation links D18/0207680 and updated contact information to reflect organisational changes D18/0378181. | |||
| 12 October 2020 | 4.0 | ||
| Major review of the policy and procedures undertaken. Endorsed by the Director General on 11 August 2020. D20/0480986 | |||
| 12 October 2020 | 15 January 2021 | 4.1 | |
| Minor changes to replace the Regional Executive Director position title with Director of Education D20/0647278 | |||
| 12 October 2020 | 18 November 2025 | 4.2 | |
| Minor changes to update the contact details and link text to meet Department style and accessibility standards. Approval D25/1018861 | |||
Home Education Policy v4.2 
Home Education Policy Bundle