Legislative Council, Tuesday 17 March 2026
Ms FORREST question to MINISTER for EDUCATION, Ms PALMER
Acknowledging that the number of parents choosing to educate their children at home has been increasing in recent years, particularly after COVID-19, and that the Office of the Education Registrar asks parents to plan a program that addresses 10 Standards in order to be approved for Home Education programs, including a standard relating to the safety, health and wellbeing of the child.
In regard to the safety of children who are educated at home:
- What are the requirements of parents when it comes to providing for the safety, health and wellbeing of the child; and
- How is this being monitored?
- What actions do the Department take to ensure the safety of home educated students; and
- How often is it reviewed or assessed?
- How many mandatory reports have there been regarding concerns related to the safety of children being home-schooled?
ANSWER:
In order to answer the questions posed by the Honourable Member, first I must advise the following:
The Registrar, Education is responsible for the registration and monitoring of home education in Tasmania under section 224 of the Education Act 2016. The Act establishes the framework for assessing and approving proposed home education programs, while the Education Regulations 2017 set out the Registration Standards in Schedule 1, which outline the requirements that must be addressed in an application.
This legislative framework is supported by Ministerial Instructions issued by the Minister for Education and Training.
- Ministerial Instruction No. 13 relates specifically to home education.
- Ministerial Instruction No. 16 – Education Regulator Principles requires the Registrar to consider “the welfare and best interests of students to be of paramount importance” when performing their functions and exercising their powers.
These Instructions guide the interpretation and application of the legislation.
The Registrar’s primary function is to determine whether a home education program should be approved. Approval is granted when the Registrar is satisfied that the program has been developed, implemented and evaluated in accordance with the Registration Standards. Evidence of learning is reviewed and discussed during a home education visit conducted in the applicant’s home.
- What are the requirements of parents when it comes to providing for the safety, health and wellbeing of the child; and
Whilst one of the Registration Standards relates to the safety, health and wellbeing of the child, this Standard relates specifically to the educational content of the Home Education program. It requires parents to provide age‑appropriate education, that supports a child’s ability to care for themselves. This may include topics such as stranger danger, cyber safety, fire safety, water safety, personal care, nutrition, or reproductive health and development.
Importantly it is not a Standard about assessing the safety of the home environment or the broader circumstances in which Home Education occurs.
There are no legislated requirements for the Registrar to evaluate or monitor the home environment in relation to a child’s safety, health and wellbeing
All Office of the Education Registrar staff, as Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) employees, are mandatory reporters. Any concerns must be reported to the Strong Families Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line in accordance with mandatory reporting obligations.
- How is this being monitored?
The Registrar’s Responsibility is limited to assessing whether the educational program meets the Registration Standards at the time of application and during scheduled visits.
- What actions do the Department take to ensure the safety of home educated students; and
As above.
All DECYP staff, including Registration Officers are required to complete annual safeguarding training, which consists of three compulsory modules:
- Mandatory Reporting training
- Child Sexual Abuse Awareness training
- Acknowledgment that the employee has read and understood DECYP’s Conduct and Behaviour Policy and
Conduct Standards.
- How often is it reviewed or assessed?
A home education program must be renewed every 12 months. As part of the renewal process, the parent submits an updated Home Education Summary Plan, and a registration visit is conducted annually to review the program and evidence of learning.
- How many mandatory reports have there been regarding concerns related to the safety of children being home-schooled?
The Office of the Education Registrar does not collect or maintain data on the number of mandatory reports made in relation to children who are home‑educated. Mandatory reports made by Department employees are managed through the Department’s child safety processes.
The type of education is not captured in mandatory reporting data, so the Department cannot extract or report on the number of mandatory reports that may relate specifically to home‑educated children.