ACT Registration Process

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There are similarities and differences
between the registration processes
of each State and Territory.
Here, we outline what to expect in the ACT.
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Please be assured, the registration process is entirely doable. For the most part, the biggest job is getting our own heads around requirements and reminding ourselves that it’s all workable and not as hard as it might seem at first glance.

  • Home education is administrated by the Department of Education and Training (DET), Non Government Education Section (NGES).
  • General Information (click and follow links provided on the web page)
  • ACT Education Act – Chapter 5 pertains specifically to Home Education, but it’s also worth reading through Chapters 1 and 2, covering the General Principles and Compulsory Education, too.
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ENQUIRY

  • Initial enquiry elicits a selection of brochures regarding home education and local support networks, as well as an application form for provisional registration
  • Not all enquiries proceed to provisional registration
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PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION

  • If provisional registration is sought, the completed application form should be returned to NGES with copies of birth certificates for each child to be home educated. In some cases, additional paperwork may be required, such as court papers or visas, etc.
  • NGES will supply their current version of the ACT Home Education Manual (updated early 2008, after consultation with the home education community)
  • Provisional registraion is given for a six month period, once application has been approved. This is to allow the family time to adjust to home education, refine their choice of resources, and get used to recording progress in accordance with the type of approach being followed.
  • Halfway through this provisional period (3 months in) NGES will send a letter as a precursor to the next stage of the registration process
  • Not all families who provisionally register go on to full registration.
    • If your child will return to school, notify NGES of this intention and name the school they will attend.
    • If you will continue with home education, you will need to follow the guidelines outlined in the letter you receive. You will need to gather the described additional paperwork to forward to NGES prior to your registration visit, which will be arranged for a date prior to the lapse of the six-month provisional registration period.
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FULL REGISTRATION

  • The Home Education Manual (supplied with provisional registration) outlines the paperwork expected to accompany the application for full registration.
    • This list may seem onerous, but if you are, as DET expects, purposefully educating your child, pulling this information together is not too difficult.
    • Forward this paperwork to NGES at least a week before your scheduled visit.
  • NGES will phone you to arrange a time that is mutually agreeable to meet for your registration visit
    • It is preferred that this visit takes place in the home where the child is being educated, but it can take place elsewhere if absolutely necessary. (They aren’t inspecting your home, or your housekeeping, remember, just the home base that the child is being educated from and in).
    • It is also preferred that the home educated child is present, but this is not mandatory either. Keep in mind that seeing happy, interactive kids does wonders for anyone’s perception of what you’re doing. If you’re nervous, your child probably will be too – if you’re calm, the child won’t necessarily be, but it’s more likely.
    • At the visit, the NGES’ authorised person will want to see that what you are doing with your child’s education lines up with the paperwork you submitted.
  • If the authorised person is satisfied that your child is receiving a high quality education, you will receive full registration.
    • Generally speaking a high quality education is one that includes exposure to a range of subjects and experiences, and has both breadth and depth.
  • If the authorised person is not satisfied, you will be sent a letter which outlines the area/s of concern.
    • A second visit will be scheduled, which will give you the opportunity to address the concerns and make adjustments.
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TRANSFERRING FROM INTERSTATE

If you are moving to the ACT from interstate, you can transfer your registration, but this can be an additional stress in the midst of your relocation.

  • If you TRANSFER you omitthe PROVISIONAL phase of the ACT process.
    • This means that you will be required to have all your paperwork in order within a very short space of time.
    • This can add a lot of stress to your moving process.
  • You can simply APPLY for PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION.
    • This gives you 3 months to settle into your new location, familiarise yourself with ACT requirements, and engage with the local process.
    • It can provide welcome time to adjust to your new abode, locate suitable networks, and have your children settled into their new routine before having to be ready for a registration visit.
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What we are communicates far more eloquently
than anything we say or do.
~ Stephen Covey