01Start with the ACT Government’s guidance
The ACT Government says home education requires registration. Its Home Education team can discuss your circumstances and explain the application process. Parents and carers are responsible for providing an education that meets their child’s needs, documenting opportunities and strategies, and reporting on progress each year.
Use the official home education page linked below for eligibility, application documents, reporting and renewal requirements. Keep the team’s guidance beside your own notes so you can ask about anything you do not understand. Free Path centre membership is separate from the government registration process.
Be clear about the option you are considering
Home education and distance education describe different arrangements. The ACT Government explains that distance education provides a school education remotely, while a home educating family sets the learning programme. Its separate distance education page explains that option and who to contact.
When you speak with a provider, ask what you are choosing: learning materials, a school programme, a social group, mentoring or a local learning community. Write down the part each person or organisation would play. Clear answers make it easier to compare options without expecting one service to cover every family need.
Make room for your family’s practical questions
Talk together about the time you can give to learning, the interests your child wants to explore and the people they would like around them. You could consider when learning at home feels comfortable, when another perspective would help and which questions you want to investigate before deciding.
A simple list can hold these questions without turning them into a fixed timetable. Include travel, other family commitments and how you will notice progress. Ask your learner what they want more time for and how they would like to talk about what they discover. Their answers can shape the next conversation.
Discuss local support in Greenway
Free Path welcomes existing homeschoolers, families considering home education and families looking for additional experiences alongside school. Our approach includes self-directed exploration, mixed-age connection, learner meetings, mentors and goals and reflection notebooks. Ask about help with applications, learning programmes and annual reports, including the assistance currently available.
Book an information call to discuss the support you want around your family. Bring questions about resources, current sessions, accepted ages, parent participation and membership terms. Free Path is at 236 Cowlishaw St, Greenway, ACT 2900. Contact the team before arranging a visit so that your first step fits the arrangements available now.
