Moving House or Going Back to School With a Home Educated Child in Queensland

Plans change. A family moves to a new suburb, a parent takes a job in another state, or a child is ready to try school again. Each of these changes touches your home education registration, so it helps to know the rules before you act.

Moving within Queensland

If your child’s usual place of residence changes, you must tell Queensland Home Education within 28 days. This is one of the standard conditions of registration. Use the change of personal details form for other updates, such as a new phone number or a new name. Your registration continues while your child’s education takes place mainly at your child’s usual home.

Moving interstate or overseas

Queensland registration depends on a Queensland home address, and on education taking place mainly at your child’s usual home. Those conditions may not be met after you move. Contact Queensland Home Education before you move, and do not assume your registration carries over to another state or country. Other states and countries have their own rules for home education.

Going back to school

A child cannot be registered for home education and enrolled in a school at the same time. Plan the change for a clear date, so there is no gap in your child’s status. Before the change:

• Contact the school and ask how it places returning students, and whether it tests them or asks for samples of their work.
• Gather your child’s learning log, dated work, annual reports and any assessments.
• Ask Queensland Home Education for the steps to end your child’s registration, and the date to use.

Schools decide placement, so bring your records and ask what they need from you. Ask the school how it will support any gaps in your child’s learning, and how it will keep the things you have built, such as their strengths and interests.

If the annual report falls due during the move

Due dates for the annual report cannot be extended. If your report is due around a move, contact Queensland Home Education early and ask what to do. Do not wait for a letter. A show cause notice is issued when a report is not submitted, so early contact protects your family.

A short checklist

• Moving within Queensland: tell Queensland Home Education within 28 days.
• Moving interstate or overseas: call Queensland Home Education before the move.
• Going back to school: agree the date first, then enrol, so there is no gap.
• Report due during a change: contact Queensland Home Education early.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For the current rules, check the Queensland Government home education registration page, or call Queensland Home Education on 1800 677 176.