Home education in Western Australia (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: A parent in Western Australia registers with the Department of Education as a home educator, normally within 14 days of the child leaving school. The programme is evaluated by a home education moderator. The compulsory education period starts in the year the child turns 5 years and 6 months.

RuleWhat applies
Legal status of home educationChildren of compulsory school age⚠ Not yet verified
Nature of the parental dutyChildren of compulsory school ageDuty to attend or be enrolled at school [1]
Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school ageOnly a parent (including a legal guardian) can register as the home educator, through the Department of Education. Applications are to be made within 14 days of the last day the child attended school, or when they would have first enrolled. From the date the registration certificate is issued the home educator is responsible for the child's educational programme. A home education moderator evaluates the programme and progress. [2]
Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school ageThe compulsory education period runs from the beginning of the year in which the child reaches 5 years and 6 months until the first of: the end of the year in which the child reaches 17 years and 6 months, the child reaches 18, or the child meets the minimum requirements for graduation from secondary school. [2]

Notes

  • The pages read say a parent must register with the Department of Education and that the director of education accepts completed applications and issues a registration certificate. They do not state whether registration is a notification or an approval, so the category is to be verified against the School Education Act 1999.
  • Section 9 of the School Education Act 1999 requires a child to be enrolled in an educational programme for each year of the compulsory education period, and a parent must ensure this. Section 10 treats the duty as met by enrolment at a school or by the parent's registration as home educator.

Sources

  1. Parliamentary Counsel's Office, Western Australia: School Education Act 1999 (Official Version, as at 1 May 2026) (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Western Australian Department of Education: Home Education Procedures - Policies - Department of Education (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Western Australia

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 50 km/h · Minimum age: 16
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; 10 g or less may get an intervention notice · Growing at home: Banned
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 110 km/h
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, Containers for Change · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Specified drug in system is an offence · THC threshold: Any cannabis detected
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules, 16+ · Minimum age: 16
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while a visitor · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or permanent resident: transfer within 3 months
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick and butterfly knives prohibited
  • MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 15 years 6 months · Licence: Class R-N or other WA 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 not touched
  • 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, on rent or hire
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.