WA

Home educating in WA lets you tailor your child’s education to their pace, strengths and passions. You’ll design a unique learning program and walk alongside your child as they grow, explore, and achieve throughout the year. 

1. Notify Your Local Education Regional Office

To begin home education, you must lodge a Registration for Home Education form with your local Education Regional Office within 14 days of: 

  • Removing your child from school, or 
  • Your child reaching compulsory school age 

Registration is completed directly with the regional office—there is no online portal. 

Find your local office: www.education.wa.edu.au/contact

2. Prepare Your Documents

You’ll need: 

  • Your child’s birth certificate or proof of identity 
  • The completed registration form 
  • Any relevant legal or medical documents 

Once your application is received, the office will issue your Certificate of Registration. Processing times vary; many families receive approval quickly, though it can take several weeks. 

After approval, a Home Education Moderator will contact you to arrange your first visit.

3. Meet With Your Moderator

Your moderator will usually get in touch within 1–3 weeks, and the first visit must occur within three months of registration approval. 

During this meeting, your moderator will: 

  • Review your Learning Program 
  • Check alignment with the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline (WACAO) 
  • Confirm your child is making appropriate progress 
  • Offer guidance and support 

After the visit, the moderator prepares a written report, and you’ll receive a copy for your records. 

Moderator visits are generally friendly and supportive, though expectations can vary. Being prepared helps the meeting run smoothly. 

A moderator may ask to: 

  • Meet your child 
  • View the main learning area 
  • Look over your Learning Program 

However, WA legislation does not require moderators to meet your child or enter your home. You may choose to meet at another location. Children may be absent from the first visit, though moderators often expect to meet them at later reviews. 

You are welcome to show: 

  • Learning resources 
  • Work samples 
  • Documentation or records 

These are optional but helpful for demonstrating progress. 

Your Learning Program outlines: 

  • How you will cover the eight learning areas of the WA Curriculum 
  • Your approach to assessment and tracking progress 
  • Your child’s strengths, needs, and learning preferences 
  • The resources, materials, and activities you’ll use 
  • Where learning will take place 

Your program must be consistent with the WA Curriculum, but you do not need to follow it pointbypoint. 

Children may work: 

  • Ahead of their year level 
  • Behind their year level 
  • Across multiple levels 

If your child is working at a different stage, simply explain your reasoning. 

You may design your own program or use a commercial curriculum such as Simply Homeschool. 

If you prefer readymade support, you can purchase a Simply Homeschool registration document.

You may begin home education as soon as you receive your Certificate of Registration. Once approved, you’re free to withdraw your child from school and start your homelearning journey. 

Your program must: 

  • Align with the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline 
  • Cover all required learning areas 
  • Include planned learning experiences 
  • Be appropriate for your child’s age, ability and interests 

You can choose: 

  • selfdesigned program, or 
  • commercial curriculum, such as Simply Homeschool 

Throughout the year, you’ll collect evidence of your child’s progress, such as: 

  • Written work 
  • Photos or videos 
  • Projects and creative work 
  • Learning journals 
  • Reading logs 
  • Samples from each learning area 

Your evidence should reflect the Learning Program discussed with your moderator. 

Home education registration in WA does not expire. You do not reapply each year. 

However, your moderator will conduct at least one review annually to confirm progress and offer support. Families may begin home education at any time during the year.

WA families may travel freely while home educating. As long as you continue delivering your learning program and can demonstrate progress during moderation, travel is fully permitted.