Homeschooling in New Zealand
Home education is legal in New Zealand with a Certificate of Exemption from the Ministry of Education, and families receive a supervisory allowance for each homeschooled child. As at 1 July 2025, 11,010 students were homeschooled.
This guide covers how exemptions work, how to apply, the allowance, what it means for families using an online school, exams in New Zealand, and University Entrance.
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- Legal under section 38 of the Education and Training Act 2020
- An exemption is needed from age 6 to 16
- An allowance of $796 a year for the first child
- 11,010 homeschooled students in July 2025
Is homeschooling legal in New Zealand?
Yes. Children aged 6 to 16 must be enrolled at a registered school unless the Ministry of Education exempts them for home education.
| Rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| Education and Training Act 2020, section 38 | The Ministry can exempt a child from enrolment if it's satisfied the child will be taught at least as regularly and well as in a registered school |
| Who needs an exemption | Children aged 6 to 16. A child can be exempted from their sixth birthday, and older children stay enrolled at school while the application is considered |
| How long it lasts | Until the child turns 16 or enrols at a registered school. Home education can continue after 16 without an exemption |
| Curriculum | Parents set their own curriculum. The Ministry recommends teaching the skills children would normally learn at school, which makes a later move into school easier |
| Reviews | If the Ministry has concerns, it may ask the Education Review Office to review a home education programme |
As at 1 July 2025, 11,010 students from 6,518 families were homeschooled, 1.3% of school enrolments, according to Education Counts. The most common age to start was 6.
How to apply for a home education exemption
Apply to your Ministry of Education regional office on the home education application form. Applying is free and normally takes four to six weeks.
The Ministry's home education pageWho applies
A parent or legal guardian, with every legal guardian in agreement. Each child needs their own application.
What to include
The form asks how your child will be taught. You'll also need your child's birth certificate and, if your child was born outside New Zealand, a copy of their passport and visa.
After you apply
The regional office considers the application and contacts your child's school if they've been at one. Once it's approved, you can start from the date on the certificate, or from your child's sixth birthday if that's later.
If you're turned down
The Ministry explains its reasons in writing. You can appeal in writing to the regional office, and apply again if the appeal isn't successful.
The supervisory allowance and what homeschooling costs
The Ministry pays an annual allowance for each homeschooled child, in two instalments, usually around June and November.
| Child | Allowance per year |
|---|---|
| First child | $796 |
| Second child | $677 |
| Third child | $557 |
| Each further child | $398 |
You declare that you're still home educating each time the allowance is paid, and it isn't paid without the declaration. It continues until the end of the year your child turns 19. Time overseas changes it: under 28 days makes no difference, 28 days to six months means you're paid only for the time in New Zealand, and after six months it stops until you reapply on your return.
CambriLearn sets its International GCSE and A Level fees per subject in US dollars, and books and exam entries are extra.
| Level and package | Per subject, per year | Per subject, per month (10 instalments) | Typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| International GCSE, Standard | $565 | $66.67 | $2,825 for 5 subjects |
| International GCSE, Premium | $1,115 | $131.57 | $5,575 for 5 subjects |
| AS or A Level, Standard | $605 | $71.39 | $1,815 for 3 subjects |
| AS or A Level, Premium | $1,300 | $153.40 | $3,900 for 3 subjects |
Allowance amounts are in New Zealand dollars and CambriLearn fees in US dollars. Paying CambriLearn for the year upfront costs 15.25% less than ten instalments, and a once-off registration fee applies to new enrolments. CambriCommunity clubs, events and meetups come with every enrolment.
CambriLearn per year figures are the 2026 fees paid upfront, and monthly figures are the same fees paid in ten instalments. Primary, Lower Secondary, US K-12, CAPS and KABV fees, and the few subjects priced separately, are on the pricing page.
What this means for families using an online school
New Zealand lets home educators choose their own curriculum, so an online school like CambriLearn can be the programme you describe in your exemption application.
Talk to a consultant about your applicationYou still need the exemption
CambriLearn isn't a registered school in New Zealand, so enrolling with us doesn't replace the Certificate of Exemption. Describe the CambriLearn programme in your application instead.
You stay responsible
Once your child is exempted, the Ministry treats you as responsible for their learning, whichever provider you use.
Te Kura alongside
Te Kura, New Zealand's state distance school, lets exempted students under 16 enrol as fee-paying students. From 16 to 19, students may qualify without fees, and taking one or two subjects keeps the allowance.
Families who move often
If your child's education needs to move with you between countries, speak to a consultant about where you'll be living, because the rules depend on the country you live in.
Exams and qualifications for homeschooled students in New Zealand
NCEA comes through Te Kura or another provider. International qualifications are sat as a private candidate at an exam centre.
| Route | Awarded by | How it works | Used for | At CambriLearn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCEA | New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) | Studied through Te Kura or another provider, with University Entrance awarded alongside | New Zealand universities | Not offered |
| Cambridge International GCSE, AS and A Level | Cambridge International | Sat as a private candidate at an approved Cambridge school in the October/November series. Not every syllabus is open to home-educated students | University Entrance through the New Zealand tariff, and universities abroad | Taught on the International British Curriculum |
| Pearson Edexcel International GCSE and A Level | Pearson Edexcel | Sat as a private candidate at a Pearson centre that accepts them | New Zealand universities that list them, and universities abroad | Taught on the Pearson Edexcel pathway |
| National Senior Certificate (CAPS or KABV) | SACAI, with the certificate issued by Umalusi | Studied from New Zealand, with the Grade 12 final exams written at an approved centre in South Africa | South African universities | Taught on the CAPS and KABV pathways, billed in rand |
| American High School Diploma | Score Academy Online, a Cognia-accredited school | Enrol with the school and complete coursework assessed online | US colleges, and universities that assess overseas diplomas | Through sister school Score Academy Online on the US K-12 pathway |
The Ministry of Education says home-educated students can sit Cambridge exams at approved schools in October to November as private candidates. Contact the school early, because it has to accept your child and will charge a fee.
For South African families, the IEB pathway opened at Grade 10 in 2026, alongside CAPS and KABV.
Can homeschooled students go to university in New Zealand?
Yes. University Entrance can come through NCEA or Cambridge, and the Ministry notes that some universities have entry pathways specifically for homeschooled students.
University Entrance through CambridgeUniversity Entrance through Cambridge
You need at least 120 points on the New Zealand tariff at AS or A Level, with a D or better in three different syllabus groups (not Thinking Skills). Literacy needs an E or better in an AS English subject, and numeracy a D or better in International GCSE or GCSE Mathematics, or an AS Mathematics pass.
Rank scores for competitive programmes
Competitive programmes rank Cambridge applicants on a score table using up to six subject units, with a maximum of 420 at the University of Auckland.
Pearson Edexcel and other qualifications
Universities set their own rules. Otago's guidance for international students, for example, lists Pearson Edexcel International A Levels at 120 tariff points with a D or better in three syllabus groups. Check the page for your university and programme.
Universities abroad
UK universities accept A Levels through UCAS, and the American High School Diploma from Score Academy Online supports applications to US colleges.
Questions parents ask about homeschooling in New Zealand
If your question isn't here, a consultant can take you through your options in a fifteen-minute call.
Book a free consultationIs homeschooling legal in New Zealand?
Yes. Under section 38 of the Education and Training Act 2020, the Ministry of Education can exempt a child aged 6 to 16 from school enrolment if they'll be taught at least as regularly and well as in a registered school.
How do I apply for a home education exemption?
Complete the Ministry's home education application form and send it to your regional office. Each child needs their own application, applying is free, and it normally takes four to six weeks.
Do you get paid to homeschool in New Zealand?
Yes. The Ministry pays a supervisory allowance of $796 a year for the first child, $677 for the second, $557 for the third and $398 for each further child, in two instalments.
When is the allowance paid?
Usually around June and November. You declare that you're still home educating each time, and payments continue until the end of the year your child turns 19.
What happens to the allowance if we travel overseas?
Trips under 28 days make no difference. Between 28 days and six months, you're paid only for the time in New Zealand, and after six months the allowance stops until you reapply.
Do I have to follow the New Zealand Curriculum?
No. Parents set their own curriculum, but the Ministry recommends teaching the skills children would learn at school.
Can my child use an online school while homeschooled?
Yes, as the programme described in your exemption application. CambriLearn isn't a registered school in New Zealand, so you still need the Certificate of Exemption.
Can homeschoolers sit Cambridge exams in New Zealand?
Yes. The Ministry says home-educated students can sit Cambridge exams as private candidates at approved schools in October to November, though not every syllabus is available.
How do students get University Entrance through Cambridge?
With at least 120 points on the New Zealand tariff at AS or A Level, a D or better in three different syllabus groups, and the literacy and numeracy requirements.
What time are CambriLearn's live lessons in New Zealand?
Live lessons are timetabled in South African time, 10 hours behind New Zealand in winter and 11 hours behind in summer, so most fall in the New Zealand evening. Lessons are recorded for students who can't attend.
How much does CambriLearn cost?
International GCSE subjects on the Standard package cost $565 a year each when paid upfront, and AS or A Level subjects cost $605. Exam entries are paid to the exam centre.
Talk to a consultant about your options
Fifteen minutes, no obligation. Tell us your child's age, where in New Zealand you live, and the qualifications they're aiming for, and a consultant will explain how CambriLearn fits your exemption application.
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This guide summarises section 38 of the Education and Training Act 2020, with current information from the Ministry of Education, Education Counts, Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu and university admissions pages. Allowance amounts are the Ministry's published rates and can change. Last checked 27 September 2026. CambriLearn is Cognia-accredited, an approved Pearson Edexcel centre, and registered with SACAI and the IEB. The US K-12 pathway is delivered through sister school Score Academy Online, which is Cognia-accredited and offers NCAA-approved courses. CambriLearn is not a registered Cambridge school and is not affiliated with Cambridge Assessment International Education.