Equivalent and alternative courses of study
Guidelines for equivalent and alternative courses of study
In NSW, school is compulsory for students until they complete Year 10 or turn 17, whichever comes first. For the majority of students the most appropriate study pathway is to remain at school to complete Year 10, and many continue their learning through to Year 12.
A very small number of students need a more flexible option due to exceptional circumstances.
The Loading (PDF 377KB) describe how various provisions in the Education Act 1990 (NSW) (the Act) relate to courses of study for a child of compulsory school age. The Guidelines contain the responsibilities and functions of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) in regard to equivalent and alternative courses of study. These responsibilities were delegated in response to amendments to the Act relating to the raising of the school leaving age.
Remember – all NSW students must first complete Year 10 and then until the age of 17 be:
- in school, or registered for home schooling
OR - in approved education and training
OR - in full-time paid employment (average 25 hours per week)
OR - a combination of these.
Information and application forms
Each of the following situations is detailed in the Guidelines. Please refer to the Guidelines and information before completing an application form.
Students enrolled in a government or non-government school seeking approval for Year 10 equivalent course of study at TAFE NSW
Read Section 2.1 of the Guidelines.
The application form is available from the student’s school.
Students enrolled in a government school seeking approval to complete Year 10 under special circumstances (other than an apprenticeship or traineeship)
Read Section 3 and 3.1 of the Guidelines.
The application form is available from the student’s school.
Students enrolled in a systemic non-government school seeking approval to complete Year 10 under special circumstances (other than an apprenticeship/traineeship)
Read Section 3 and 3.2 of the Guidelines.
The application form is available from the student’s school.
Students enrolled in a non-government non-systemic school seeking approval to complete Year 10 under special circumstances (other than an apprenticeship or traineeship)
Read:
- Section 3 and 3.3 of the Guidelines
- Loading where you can download the application form.
Students enrolled in government or non-government schools who have completed Year 9 and are seeking approval to undertake a full-time apprenticeship or traineeship for purposes of completion of Year 10
Read Section 3.4 of the Guidelines.
The application form is available from the student’s school.
Schools, registered training organisations (RTOs) and organisations seeking approval to deliver a Board Endorsed Alternative Education Program
Read:
- Section 4 of the Guidelines
- Loading where you can download the application form.
Students registered for home schooling
Students registered for home schooling wanting to complete an equivalent or alternative course of study should go to the following pages:
- Loading
- Loading (other than an apprenticeship or traineeship)
- Loading
- Loading .
The regulation of home schooling in NSW has moved from NESA to the NSW Department of Education. You can contact the Home Schooling Unit by email on homeschooling@det.nsw.edu.au and by telephone on 02 9367 8149.