Once a home-educated young person turns 16 or completes Year 10 (whichever comes first), they enter Queensland's Compulsory Participation Phase (CPP). During this time, they must be engaged in an eligible option—such as registered home education, approved education or training, paid employment, or a combination of these. This is often referred to as being "earning or learning." The CPP ends when they turn 17, complete a qualifying senior credential (including a Certificate III or IV), or have participated in eligible options for two years after leaving compulsory school age, whichever happens first.

There are a few ways including but not limited to one or more these options: 

• Maintain QHE registration, and continue doing home education, which can be till the end of the year they turn 18. 
• Undertake a TAFE Course - see our TAFE FAQ below for options.
• Headstart courses/Early Uni start courses - contact your preferred Uni to see what is available and maintain QHE registration.
• Uni Prerequisites course and can keep QHE registration. eg USQ Uniprep course https://www.unisq.edu.au/study/degrees-and-courses/uniprep 
• Open Uni - some courses can be accessed from age 14. Open Uni https://www.open.edu.au/ . 
• Tertiary Prep progams - most from age 17/18. Check out your local Uni.

• Work Part time (more than 25 hours a week).
• Work Full time
• Apprenticeship/traineeship
• Disability Support Pension (age 16+) and need to withdraw QHE registration. 

Note: Unfortunately working for themselves does not count as “Earning” for the CPP phase.

QHE need the Employers Business Name and/or the Cert/Degree details they have enrolled in. 

You can withdraw registration online via their form or via email. https://education.qld.gov.au/schools-educators/other-education/home-education/forms-and-resources#ending-registration

TAFE offer a variety of different options. They have different programs and funding arrangements and eligibility depending on the course. Different TAFEs offer different courses. You need to contact or select your local TAFE to understand what is available near you. Options include: 

• TAFE at school, - part time, most courses are free, ages 15+. Must be with QHE. More details  https://tafeqld.edu.au/courses/ways-to-study/tafe-at-school 
• Fee Free TAFE, from age 15, full time courses. Must cancel QHE registration. 
• SEE program Age 15 and registered as a JOB SEEKER or volunteer job seeker (no QHE). More Details  https://go.tafeqld.edu.au/SEE-Referral.html 
• Unilearn - Individual Units: Senior subjects Equivalent level - Years 11 and 12 More details https://tafeqld.edu.au/course/19/19221/unilearn-individual-units-senior-subjects 

Notes:

1. Apply direct to your local TAFE, check the prerequisites and requirements. 
2. “Finished year 10” requirements can be tested via TAFE BKSB tests depending on the course prerequisites and us otherwise a tick a box. Tell TAFE they are home educated. 
3. Your teen can only do 1 subsidised TAFE course once ie 1 TAFE at School Cert and 1 Fee Free Cert in their lifetime. Choose wisely.
4. Full time Cert III or above you can not also be registered with QHE.

Need to be mindful of Centrelink payments as once your child has completed a Cert III+ they can be deemed they have completed their education and no longer entitled to any FTB and other payments despite still only 15. You may incur a debt, contact Centrelink.

• There are full time, part time and school based apprenticeships/traineeships which they can start from 14 years.
• Some apprenticeships require age 16 eg Electrician. 
• The Registered Training Organistion (RTO) the employer chooses will organise an exemption from Qld Ed, if your child is under 15 and doing a full time apprenticeship or traineeship
• Find an employer to take them on in the position is the first step.

You, or ideally your teen, source the position through applying for jobs, responding to job advertisements.  More details  https://www.qld.gov.au/education/apprenticeships

• Personality and Career testing - search online for some to try. 
• Work experience - approach businesses and email for QHE for work experience insurance - see here for more.
• Volunteer work - approach businesses in your area, ask online in community groups. 
• Attend Career Open Days 
• Go to Uni Open Days, follow their page to see when. 

It is all about which course and which University they want to access and then they can fulfil the prerequisites. Often a couple of Open Uni online courses provides entry. Open Uni courses are best for teens ready for Uni as their results will count towards university access. Other options include: 

• TAFE Certificate IV in Adult Tertiary Preparation (ATP) - age 17/18
• TAFE - Certs III, IV and Diplomas - depends on course as to what is needed, age 15. 
• TAFE Unilearn Ready / Individual Units age 16
• Open Universities Australia (OUA) single units age 14
• SAT – Preferred for school-age home-ed under 17
• STAT (ACER) – Useful for older students

No, not directly with QHE. Instead Certs and higher have an equivalent selection rank for courses prerequisites. This table gives an approx. from 2026 (click image to enlarge). 

Join as a HEQ Inc member and watch the Webinar Navigating Senior Pathways. It covers prerequisites, uni prep courses and more.

Absolutely yes, you need to advocate and learn what is needed for your teen to access their chosen career pathways. Some qualifications have age limitations and requirements, check the prerequisites and start them achieving what's needed.