Home education in South Australia (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: In South Australia home education is an exemption from school attendance that the Minister (through the Department for Education) can approve or refuse. Children aged 6 to 17 must be enrolled and attend school unless exempted. An approved child stays enrolled at their school.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Legal status of home educationChildren of compulsory school age | Permitted with prior authorisation [1] |
| Nature of the parental dutyChildren of compulsory school age | Duty to attend or be enrolled at school [1] |
| Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age | Parents apply to the Department for Education's Home Education unit for an exemption from attendance at school. Approval is conditional on criteria that include consent from all parents with parental responsibility, except in exceptional circumstances. If approved, the child stays enrolled at their school and does not have to attend for the exemption period. [1] |
| Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age | Children of compulsory school and education age, 6 to 17 years, must be enrolled at and attend a school unless they have an exemption. [1] |
Notes
- In South Australia home education is granted as an exemption from school attendance, approved or refused on application. It is a regular route with published criteria, not a general ban.
Sources
- Government of South Australia, Department for Education: Guide to Home Education in South Australia (Internet Archive snapshot of 1 October 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
More rules in South Australia
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; usually an expiation notice (fine) · Growing at home: Banned; small numbers expiable
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h (110 km/h where signed)
- Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, since 1977 · Deposit per container: 10c refund
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (P1 licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
- Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prescribed drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC detected
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (general use only)
- Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes for short-term visitors · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Permanent resident: SA licence within 90 days
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence under s 21E (details not read)
- MopedsLicence: Any SA licence
- Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
- Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Mounted, or used without touching; L/P1: none
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05%
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.