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Promoting home education & empowering home educators Australia wide.
ACAP University College and SAE University College
Unique opportunities for higher education
The following is some information to provide a more in-depth picture of what each institution offers:
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Updated 2026 Course Guides for SAE.
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Starter Guide for ACAP.
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SAE School Workshop Brochure - We are now offering free interactive workshops for school students at our campuses!
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SAE Yr 12 Early Offer - SAE’s Early Offer Program give students the opportunity to lock in their future studies and enjoy what’s left of high school knowing they’ve got next year sorted, all before final exams.
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Online Career advisor Webinar - Join us online for a dedicated interactive webinar to learn all about SAE and ACAP University College, designed exclusively for high school career advisors and teachers.
Although SAE and ACAP University Colleges offer very different courses, both SAE and ACAP offer the same benefits to students in their small, intimate class sizes, practical project-based work, flexible learning options, expert lecturers, fantastic student support, workplace opportunities, and great connections to industry.
There is no ATAR requirement to study at SAE or ACAP. Students and parents can enquire further regarding entry requirements and course specifics by calling ACAP or SAE, or viewing each institution's contact page:
ACU's Uni Step-Up
Available to all students across Australia
ACU offers eligible Year 11 students, including home educated students, the opportunity to study two first-year units amongst a cohort of other Year 11 students. This program, subject to Federal Government funding requirements, is only open to students who live in a regional or remote area, identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or are of a low socioeconomic status. It operates differently to other universities’ programs for high-school students, so go to Uni Step-Up for more information and engage further with the team to see if you qualify.
Can homeschoolers go to university? This would have to be one of the top ten questions asked about homeschooling. Today I am sharing our story of how my eldest was accepted into his university degree of choice. Showing you that no matter how you spend your home educating years, be that via more traditional schooling or something a little out of the box, your homeschooled child can absolutely, with some planning, go to university!!
The Unilearn Ready Program enables students to study 3 subjects and gain a QTAC selection rank. For more information, go to www.unilearn.net.
Enhanced Studies Program through the
University of Queensland
Now Open for home educated students!
Email the HEA Qld Team for more info!
"The Enhanced Studies Program provides students with an opportunity to extend their knowledge and skills by completing one university subject during Year 12."
The University of Southern Queensland (USQ) welcomes home-educated students to participate in their Head Start program. High school students from Year 10 to Year 12 are able to study 1 or more university subjects while completing high school (only 1 per trimester). The first subject is free and subsequent ones are reduced. USQ offers both in-person and online options. Minimum requirements for entry via SAT or STAT test:
• SAT test: 70th percentile or above
• STAT test: Score of 155 points or more
For more information, check out the Head Start Guidelines.
JCU Prep
Be equipped to pursue university study with JCU Prep. You’ll develop key academic skills and build the foundational knowledge required to meet subject pre-requisites. Successful completion can lead to direct entry to many JCU undergraduate degrees.
Head Start PROGRAM
You are eligible to apply for the Head Start program if you are a home-schooled student and meet all the following requirements:
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You provide evidence of being enrolled in a home education program.
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You have either:
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achieved a minimum of 80% User Percentile in the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) administered by The College Board
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achieved a minimum overall score of 159 in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) administered by the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER)
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Note: You may access GUESTS On-campus or Online program, which have only Essential English as the admission requirement and no additional subject requirements.
The support of your parents or guardian and the school approval is required to ensure that you have the resources available to be successful at tertiary study while completing your secondary studies.
START QUT
High-achieving students have an opportunity to study at QUT in their final years of high school.
They can select two units from across the University and study one unit each semester. Students may participate from Semester 2 of Year 11.
Home educated students over the age of 16 who have obtained an SAT score of 1300 points or more are eligible for entry to the START QUT program. This applies to home educated students residing in Qld and selected northern NSW zones.
Any home educated students who gain an ATAR will be considered on the basis of their ATAR.
In addition, home educated students who do not gain an ATAR are considered via other pathways. They can receive:
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a selection rank for their school studies
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a selection rank for their VET studies
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EAS and Elite Athlete adjustments to the selection ranks
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students are also eligible for consideration of entry to QUT programs via the Centralised Assessment and Selection Program (CASP).
The Regional, Rural and Remote adjustment scheme, where eligible applicants will receive an adjustment of 2.00 selection ranks, is also applicable for home educated students.
Further entry information can be found through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) which is a 'one stop shop' for 17 higher education providers in Queensland and Northern New South Wales, across both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions.
Other Entry Pathways
Homeschool to University
Application Guide
Murdoch University now offers a range of pathways for homeschooling students looking to further their education in Western Australia.
Through the OnTrack Flex and K-Track pathways, both of which are fee-free, students are equipped with effective study habits and learning strategies to get the most out of their tertiary education experience.
FUTURE PATHWAY OPTIONS for Home Educated Students in South Australia
When a young person approaches senior secondary years, there are several pathway options available to support their transition to higher education, vocational education and training, and employment. Home educated students may choose to begin the SACE or access other vocational pathway programs through their enrolled school or the Open Access College.
In these situations, a home education exemption is no longer required.
See below for information about the SACE, Vocational pathways in schools, and the Open Access College.
If you continue to home educate through your child’s senior school years, consider making arrangements with:
• career advisors or counsellors for guidance on pathway options
• employers for work experience, traineeships, or apprenticeships
• enrolment into vocational or higher education courses
• participation in entry tests for TAFE or university.
For information about entry requirements and courses into TAFE or university, visit the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Course (SATAC) website at http://www.satac.edu.au
The WorkReady government website http://www.skills.sa.gov.au provides information on different industries, required skills, careers, training pathways, and government subsidies for study and training.
South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)
The SACE is a qualification that demonstrates that a student has acquired a certain level of knowledge and skills providing pathways into higher education, employment or training. Most students in South Australia will start their journey with the Personal Learning Plan in year 10, their selection of Stage 1 subjects in year 11 (including the compulsory literacy and numeracy choices), and their selection of Stage 2 subjects in year 12 (including the Research Project, which can also be completed in year 11).
Students may also incorporate the SACE studies with a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, an industry pathway program or a flexible learning option (FLO). Vocational education (VET) courses will usually count towards the SACE. Note that the SACE can only be delivered through a registered provider, which includes most government and non-government secondary schools. Parents cannot register to deliver the SACE.
Vocational pathways in schools
The vocational education and training (VET) pathways offered at schools encourage students to work towards VET qualifications while undertaking the SACE. To arrange VET training, talk to the VET coordinator, career advisor or equivalent at your enrolled school.
Homeschoolers & NSW Smart & Skilled
The HEA worked to facilitate changes in NSW so that 15+ homeschool students
who are registered can access Smart & Skilled programs
without a Year 10 Certificate.
Smart & Skilled funding for some NSW RTO courses is available for home educated students. To find out which courses are available, click the link below.
In 2016 the work that the HEA did with John Barilaro, who was the Minister for Skills at the time, brought about significant change so that home educated students 15 years and over, registered with NESA for homeschooling, are eligible to enrol in “Smart and Skilled” funded courses with TAFE and private RTOs in NSW.
The benefit of this work is that homeschooling students can access these courses at greatly reduced fees. TAFE is a great pathway to a career or further education.
With the changes, registered home educated students are not required to have a year 10 certificate, nor do they need to go through an under 17's counsellor, for admission to Smart and Skilled. Students may be asked for proof of registration for home education.
The fees that students pay can vary widely depending on a variety of circumstances. TAFE has a fee calculator on their website that you can use to help determine what the fees will likely be.