NSW Dept of Education to take on homeschooling oversight

The NSW Department of Education will assume responsibility for overseeing homeschooling in NSW from May 5, 2025.

This change transfers oversight from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to the Department, and will align NSW with most other Australian jurisdictions.

“The Department of Education has obligations under the Education Act 1990 to ensure students are either enrolled in an approved school or registered for homeschooling. These changes will better enable the Department to ensure it is meeting that responsibility,” the NSW Government said in a statement.

NESA staff currently involved in the regulatory oversight of homeschooling will transfer to the Department of Education, retaining the expertise, working knowledge and relationships that are important to the administration of homeschooling in NSW, it said.

The NSW Government will also consider any recommendations made in relation to homeschooling in the NSW Auditor-General’s review of Education in alternative settings. 

As in all NSW educational settings, the wellbeing and safety of children remains paramount, the Government said.