Homeschooling in Australia 

homeschooling australia

Homeschooling is legal throughout Australia, though regulations vary between states. Some parents prefer not to register with the state authorities and so exact figures on the number of homeschooling children are unavailable. The 2001 census indicated that 28457 children could be homeschooling. Most commenators agree that this is a conservative estimate and that considerable growth in numbers has occured since. 

Homeschooling is on the Rise.

About 10 years ago the majority of homeschooling parents were homeschooling because of Christian convictions. These days, Christian homeschoolers are estimated to make up only around one third of the total of the homeschooling community.  This is because many parents have seen the benefits of this alternative style of education. "Years ago, before homeschooling became as mainstream as it is today, and before bullying became paramount for many parents, I would say that it was much higher than one-third but I think more pressing issues these days have outweighed the religious ones," says Loxton.

Whatever the true numbers, homeschooling certainly seems to be catching on. The NSW Board of Studies reports that 250 students were homeschooling in the 1990-91 financial year and 1478 in 2001-02, a rise of almost 500 per cent. In Queensland, 907 children were homeschooling in 1996 and 1384 in 2002.

One example is in the Hunter region of NSW. The number of children being homeschooling has increased by 300% since 2006. The board of studies said there were 77 registered homeschoolers in 2006 in the Hunter. Now there are over 300 (this includes 120 homeschooling students who are using distance education.These students used to be registered with the board of studies but are now under distance education banner.) This statistic does not include homeschooling students who have not resistered with the board of studies.

Unreliable Statistics

In October 2003, the Queensland government released a report on homeschooling in their state. They found that more people were homeschooling outside the current registration process than within it. 

The following statistics is really just guesses of homeschooling numbers in Australia--it could be much higher.

NSW - In NSW 2009 there are 2342 registered for homeschooling with the Board of Studies. In 2003 there were 1400 registered with The Board of Studies.The 2003 statistic included ACE distance education homeschooling students who are now classified as distance educators rather than homeschooling and the are no longer appearing on current registration numbers.
QLD  - 12 000 to 20 000 students (based on surveys and mail outs.)(2003) statistics. E Sparks, editor of Educational Choices magazine estimated 85% of home educators in Queensland aren’t registered.
VIC   - 10 000 students (based on curriculum suppliers and newsletters)(2003) statistics

In New Zealand and Canada, countries with more favourable legislation towards homeschooling, statistics show approximately 1% to 1.7% of the student population is home educated.

Australian Population Statistics of School students attending government and non government schools in 2007 was 3,416,523 (Bureau of Statistics). This statistic would not have included homeschooling students. 1.7% of this population is 58080.

So using these two statistics I believe the range would be between 29 000 and 57 000 home schooling students in Australia. A huge range I know!

US statistics on homeschooling say there is about 2 million or more US homeschool students. Homeschooling in the US is growing at a rate of 7% each year. National Home Education Research Unit.


Homeschooling and University?

This is a fear for many parents and not really the issue many people worry about. There are many pathways to university and parents can focus on these pathways as their child approaches the age of university entrance. University entry for homeschooling students is a far more proactive approach with the student and parent focusing on a particular university and course rather than just waiting for the results from their HSC.

According to Jay Wile a key note speaker at a the Big Picture conference in 2005, 62% of students who entered university in Australia gained entrance without a UAI/TER.

Various universities have special entry programs for entry without an UAI. For example the University of Newcastle has a New Step program for students 17-21 who have not completed their HSC for some reason or performed poorly. Completion of this one year program allows students to apply for other University courses.

NSW University allows“Equivalent” of year 12 plus a SAT1.

Special University Admissions Tests (STATS) are used by some universities to gain entry.

TAFE, OTEN and Open Foundation are used by many homeschool students to gain a UAI

Portfolio's and auditions can also be used as part of the admissions process.