Homeschooling QLD:

New data from Queensland has shown what many of us in the homeschooling community already suspected – the number of families choosing to homeschool is dramatically increasing.

Figures from the Queensland Department of Education showed a 19% increase in homeschool registrations in 2023, with the total number of registered students jumping from 8,461 in 2022 to 10,048 in 2023.

The long-term trend is even more striking. In 2019 there were just 3,411 students registered for homeschooling in Queensland. Since then, there has been a remarkable surge in registrations, with a 195% increase in just four years.

The figures are in line with the most recent data from New South Wales, which showed a 37% increase in the number of students registered for homeschooling in January 2023. Victoria saw a similar increase, with numbers jumping 36% in the year to December 2022.

Research from the Queensland Department of Education’s Home Education Unit showed that just 8% of homeschooling families always intended to homeschool.

Almost 45% of the families surveyed said they never intended to homeschool and came to the decision later. 32% said they were not open to homeschooling but made the decision because it became necessary.

Around 61% of the families have children who are neurodivergent, have a disability or are dealing with a health issue.

Of those, neurodivergence accounted for 46%, followed by social emotional/behavioural difficulties at 31%. Learning disabilities account for 27% and mental health concerns 16%.

The most common reason for homeschooling was concerns about negative influences, such as bullying, and a belief that homeschooling could provide a better learning environment.

Just 7% of families said their primary reason for choosing homeschooling was related to their philosophy or faith.

Around 36% of families said COVID contributed to their decision to homeschool, but just 3% said it was their main reason.

The breakdown between ages was even, with 5,252 primary school aged students registered for homeschooling in 2023, against 4,796 of high school age.

The most popular region for homeschooling in Queensland was the North Coast, which accounted for 20% of homeschool registrations. The South East had similar numbers.