VRQA learning plan: step-by-step guide for Victorian families 2026
Updated June 2026 · Victoria, Australia
If you want to homeschool in Victoria, you must register with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and submit an approved learning program before withdrawing your child from school. This guide walks you through every step — from understanding what the VRQA requires to writing a learning program that will be approved first time.
What is the VRQA?
The VRQA is Victoria's independent regulator for education. It registers schools, early childhood services, and home-educated students. Under the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, any school-age Victorian child (compulsory school age is 6 to 17) who is not enrolled in a registered school must be registered for home education with the VRQA.
Importantly, you cannot simply withdraw your child from school and start teaching at home — VRQA approval must be granted first. Failure to register can result in a fine or referral to the Department of Education.
The VRQA registration process
- Notify the current school — tell them you are intending to apply for home education registration. You do not need their permission, but courtesy helps if you may want to re-enrol later.
- Write your learning program — this is the core of your application (see the next section for exactly what to include).
- Submit the online application — via the VRQA portal at vrqa.vic.gov.au. No application fee.
- VRQA assessment — an officer reviews your learning program. They may request clarification or amendments, usually by email.
- Receive approval — registration is valid for up to 2 years. You will receive a registration certificate.
- Ongoing monitoring — a VRQA officer will typically conduct a monitoring visit within 12–24 months to confirm the program is being delivered.
What goes into a VRQA learning program
Your learning program is the document that demonstrates your child will receive an education that is “regular and sustained” across all key learning areas. The VRQA requires coverage of all eight ACARA v9 learning areas:
| Learning area | What to include |
|---|---|
| English | Reading, writing, speaking and listening. Note the texts you'll use, how you'll build vocabulary and grammar, and your approach to writing across different purposes. |
| Mathematics | Number, algebra, measurement, space, statistics. Describe any structured program, online tool, or textbook series you'll use and how you'll track progress. |
| Science | Biological, physical, earth and space, chemical sciences plus inquiry skills. Include any experiments, investigations, or science kits. |
| Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) | History, geography, civics and citizenship. For Year 5 and above, add economics and business. Describe your approach to inquiry-based learning. |
| Technologies | Design and Technologies plus Digital Technologies. Can include coding, robotics, cooking, textiles, woodwork — anything that involves designing and making. |
| The Arts | At least one art form: visual art, music, drama, dance, or media arts. Community lessons, online programs, or parent-led instruction all count. |
| Health and Physical Education | Physical activity at least 3 times per week, plus content on personal health, relationships, and safety. Sport, swimming, yoga, bushwalking — all count. |
| Languages | At least one language other than English. Can be a community language, formal class, app (Duolingo counts), or tutor. |
For each learning area, include: the topics you plan to cover, the resources or methods you will use, and how you will assess progress (even informally). You do not need to list every ACARA content description — a clear narrative is fine.
How Docent auto-generates your VRQA learning plan
Writing a learning program from scratch takes most families 4–10 hours. Docent eliminates that work by generating the document automatically from your child's actual lesson data.
- Your child completes voice sessions — each session is tagged to a real ACARA v9 content description across English, Maths, Science, and HASS.
- Mastery is tracked per code — the platform records which AC9 codes have been covered and to what mastery level (0–1 scale).
- You run the compliance generator — one click from your dashboard produces a VRQA Learning Program document in PDF format.
- The PDF is telemetry-verified — a sha256 hash of the mastery vector appears in the document footer, so a VRQA assessor can confirm the evidence hasn't been fabricated.
- Upload to the VRQA portal — attach the PDF to your application or renewal submission.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the VRQA?
- The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority is the independent Victorian government body that registers and monitors schools and home-educated students. All Victorian children not enrolled in a registered school must be registered with the VRQA for home education.
- How long does VRQA registration take?
- Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks. Apply well before your intended start date — you cannot withdraw your child from school until registration is granted.
- What must I include in my VRQA learning program?
- Your program must address all eight ACARA v9 learning areas: English, Mathematics, Science, HASS, Technologies, The Arts, Health and PE, and Languages. For each area, describe your topics, resources, methods, and how you will assess progress.
- What happens during a VRQA monitoring visit?
- A VRQA officer visits your home (or arranges a video call) to review your records, see work samples, and discuss your program. The tone is supportive. Bring your lesson log, work portfolio, and any Docent mastery reports.
- Can Docent generate my VRQA learning program automatically?
- Yes. Docent's compliance generator produces a VRQA-ready PDF populated with your child's lesson coverage and mastery data. The document includes a sha256 telemetry hash that verifies the data came from actual lessons.
Generate your VRQA learning plan in minutes
Start teaching with Docent, then let the platform write your VRQA learning program from your child's actual lessons.