A packaged curriculum is not necessary to home educate successfully but there are many options available for those who wish to use one. Time spent thinking about what you and your children wish to learn and what best suits their style of learning before buying anything will be rewarded. Cheap mistakes are easier to back away from than expensive ones and some families later regret having outlaid a large sum of money on a curriculum which was not right for them. It is worth reading a variety of books about ways of home educating before making these decisions. A list of recommended titles can be found in the books section.

If you choose to use a curriculum, you may not need to buy a whole package new. Try your library, second hand book store and the Internet. Consider borrowing some materials from a friend before you buy to check if they suit your family. Keep in mind your own bookshelf, your local bookshop and even your newsagent. You can draw on material from the Internet, encyclopedias, CD-ROMs, community courses, libraries, museums, special interest groups clubs, friends willing to share skills and many other things that may be available in your area.

This list is meant as a starting point to the many resources available.

General Contacts/Resources

Home Education Network
Run science classes, camps, activities, and provide socialising opportunities.
www.home-ed.vic.edu.au
or see Otherways Magazine

Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
Legally, all home educators are required to register with the VRQA
Victorian schools use the CSFII and the VELS together. Home educators may choose to use them in designing their own program, as a guide to year level expectations or not at all.

Ministry of Education Frameworks Documents (CSFII)
Are available online at http://csf.vcaa.vic.edu.au/home.htm

Victorian Essential Learning Standards http://vels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/essential/index.html Works through all topics giving examples of expectations for each year

Distance Education Centre
Phone: (03) 9626 9444
Email: enroll@distance.vic.edu.au
Web: www.distance.vic.edu.au
Up until now the eligibility criteria has been restricted to those living a certain distance from a school or those with a medical reason for not attending school. Under the new Education Act some distance ed materials are being opened up to any home educators who wish to use them but enrolments are still limited by the old criteria.  Details at this stage are not finalised, call the DECV for more information.

Sample AIMS Tests
Booklets of sample AIMS tests are available through educational bookshops such as Dymocks. They are also available online at  http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/prep10/aim/index.html

UNSW Tests/Competitions
The University of NSW runs competitions in Maths, English, Science etc each year. Past papers are available for purchase and can be used to test achievement.
https://www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/etc/prepare and https://www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/prepare/past_papers

Free Resources

(see also websites under seperate subjectand style headings)

Online Maths is an Australian maths programme which is completely free.
http://www.mathsonline.com.au/

Maths program – P – 12
http://www.brainish.com/

Free Geometry software
http://www.geometrygames.org/

Teacher Resource Website
http://gigglepotz.com/
Curriculum resource materials and free downloads

The Learning Federation
Educational Interactive Games in Maths, Science, English etc.
http://www.thelearningfederation.edu.au/default.asp?id=1691

Unschooling Resources
http://www.groups/yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-Resources
Shared information about books, movies, websites, software etc.

Charlotte Mason Curriculum
www.amblesideonline.org
Free Charolotte Mason curriculum online

Funbrain
www.funbrain.com/cashreg/index.html
Maths activities

Cool Math
maths games etc
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

Math Is Fun website
games etc
http://www.mathsisfun.com/

Real Life Maths website
Teacher resource website
http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/suel/maths/reallife.html

Super Simple Science Website
http://www.kidzone.ws/science/

Chemistry
www.HowToTeachScience.com
Free elements newsletters – also sell science resources.

How Stuff Works
Web: www.howstuffworks.com
Explanations on everything from tooth whiteners to robots.

Brain-e-games
Print over 30 maths and early reading games. Free resources
Web: http://www.brainegames.com

Resource for self-motivated learners
http://www.eliteskills.com/free_education/?foo=x

Physical Education Program for young children
A fitness/play program for young children. “Animal Exercise Fun” teaches the basics of: breathing, stretching, aerobics, balance and relaxation through rhyming verse instructions modeled after the natural movements of animals from around the world.
http://www.animalexercisefun.org

Preschool to Grade 5 – maths, reading, art & music
http://www.toytheater.com/

General Resources/Suppliers

Beverley Paine, Practical Homeschooling
Yankalilla SA
Phone (08) 8558 3212
Email: contact@beverleypaine.com
www.alwayslearningbooks.com.au
Beverley has many resources available including the book Getting Started with Home Schooling: Practical Considerations along with many of the classic home education books.

Link Education Supplies
Educational Book Specialists
341 Waverley Road, Mt. Waverley 9807 5422 www.linkeducational.com.au

Ward Sagar Pty Ltd
Educational Suppliers & Children’s Book Store  Shop 21/10 Arthur Street. Eltham 9439 9321 www.wardsagar.com.au

Hawker Brownlow Education
General Educational supplier, Moorabbin, Vic
Phone (03) 9555 1344
Tollfree Phone 1800 334 603
Email: brown@hbe.com.au
Web:  http://www.hbe.com.au/

Gifted Resources
Croydon, Vic,
Phone and Fax 03 9727 4662
Email: giftedresources@virtual.net.au
Web : http://www.gifted-children.com.au/gifted_resources
Resources and advice for families with gifted children.

Dominie Educational Supplies
www.dominie.com.au
Ph: (02) 9905 0201
General Educational supplier

Central School Supplies
Essendon
Phone: (03) 9379 7900

Fountain Resources
Suppliers of Books, Media and Home Education resources
Rostrevor SA
TEL/FAX: (08) 8365 8921
Mobile 0401 3356 68
Email: fountain@senet.com.au
http://www.fountainresources.com.au

Dover
http://store.doverpublications.com/by-subject-children-coloring-boks-standard-colouring-books
Educational colouring books

McGills
www.mcgills.com.au bookselling chain

Dymocks Book stores have a good range of educational texts and offer a 10% discount to home educators.

Moore Educational
www.mooreed.com.au
LEGO Educational Resources

Parkside Publishing Company
Ph: (08) 9345 3937
Maths and English workbooks.

Soundbooks
Phone (03) 9824 7711
Email: audiobooks@doundbooks.com.au
Wide range of audio books and offer 10% discount for home educators.

University of Melbourne Public Lectures
http://events.unimelb.edu.au/

ENGLISH

Fitzroy Programs
Phone; (03) 9489 5700
Email: info@fitzprog,com.au
Web: http://www.fitzprog.com.au
Phonics reading program popular amongst homeschoolers

Quantum Literacy
Kalbar, Qld
Phone: (07) 5463 5677
Email: delta@hypermax.net.au
Web: http://homeschoolresources.tripod.com/homeschool
Reading, Writing and spelling resources

Adnil Press
Booleroo SA
Phone: (08) 8658 6019
Suppliers of Voyagers series for literature, language, phonics etc
Email : adnilpress@ozemail.com.au
Web: http://www.adnilpress.com

Edworks www.edworksglobal.com
Magic Words www.magicwords.com.au
Packs of word cards for reading games

Shakespeare Blog
Free blog and podcasts run by a highschool English teacher with a PhD in English Literature
http://www.bigcontact.com/shakespodospheare

Boys Rock Reading
Subscription website with stories to encourage boys to read. Free sample stories and activities.
http://www.boysrockreading.com

MATHS

Online Maths
An Australian maths programme which is completely free.
http://www.mathsonline.com.au/

Brainish
Maths program – P – 12
http://www.brainish.com/

Geometry Games
Free Geometry software
http://www.geometrygames.org/

Mathletics
Full K – 12 maths curriculum available at $99 per year per student or $30 per year per student to HEN members.
www.mathletics.com.au
or HEN members may email Colita@hollyburton.com.au to enrol through HEN.

Hot Maths
An Australian online maths programme www.hotmaths.com.au

Gnarly Maths
www.gnarlymath.com
Maths CDRom from America

Maths On Line
Australian online programme
www.onlinemathematics.com

Math U See
American Maths programme popular with homeschoolers.
Free sample DVD available
mathusee@bigpond.com
Ph: 5154 1977

Cool Math
maths games etc
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

Math Is Fun
games etc
http://www.mathsisfun.com/

Real Life Maths
Teacher resource website
http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/suel/maths/reallife.html

HISTORY

Batmania – John Batman and early Melbourne
Interactive games and more
http://www.nma.gov.au/kidz/batmania/

Janette’s Pictures of Australian History
Set of 35 pages of 140 B&W pictures, rhymes & notes that tell the story of the first 100 years of Australian history to colour
www.australianhistorypictures.com
Phone: 0413 019 575
Email: janettecasey@bigpond.com

SCIENCE

Haines Learning Centre
Phone: (03) 9568 6966
Email: maria@haines.com.au
Web: www.haines.com.au
Hands on resources for science, technology, maths & construction.

Maths and Science Videos Online
http://www.learnerstv.com/

Biotriya
Ph: 0403806226
http://biotriya.resourcez.com
Science in a box kit: The Human body

Monash Science Centre
Ph: (03) 9905 1370
Science kits for hire

University of Melbourne Physics
Physics show, July public lectures
http://scampy.ph.unimelb.edu.au/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=50

Chemistry Podcasts
http://www.meaghersclasses.podomatic.com/

How to Teach Science
www.HowToTeachScience.com
Free elements newsletters – also sell science resources.

How Stuff Works
Web: www.howstuffworks.com
Explanations on everything from tooth whiteners to robots.

ART SUPPLIES

Zartworks
Ph (03) 9890 5110
Fine arts and crafts supplies
Offer 15% discount for home educators

Steiner Resources

The Steiner Store
9 Strathalbyn St Kew East
PH: 9855 0066
Web: http://www.steinerstore.com.au/
Email: office@steinerstore.com.au

Golden Beetle Books
Blackheath, NSW
Phone: (02) 4787 5335
Email: goldenbeetlebooks@bigpond.com
Web: http://www.users.bigpond.com/goldenbeetlebooks
Steiner homeschooling books

Cairns Rudolf Steiner School Association
Cairns, QLD
Phone: (07) 4059 0332

Steiner Based Curriculum
Marie Bajada (03) 5368 9441

Charlotte Mason Resources

Home School Favourites
Charolotte Mason resources
Wilberforce, NSW
Phone: (02) 4575 3161
Email: mary@homeschoolfavourites.com.au
Web: http://www.homeschoolfavourites.com.au

Downunder Literature
australian copy work and nature study resources
www.downunderlit.com

Ambleside online
Free Charlotte Mason curriculum online
http://www.amblesideonline.org/

Living Maths
Free Charlotte Mason Maths ideas, book reviews, lesson plans and email list.
http://www.livingmath.net/

Living Science
http://CMLivingScience.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LivingScience/

Buddhist Resources

Buddhist Homeschool Resource
www.bluepadma.org/bhsr

Christian Resources/Suppliers

(Note many of these are fundamentalist in nature)

Australian Christian Homeschooling (ACHS)
PO Box 3101
(8-12 Business Drive)
Caboolture BC Qld 4510
Ph: (07) 3881 5745
Web: http://achs.cem.org.au/
Providers of Accelerated  Christian Education materials. ACHS was set up by the Christian Education Ministries (CEM formerly known as Australian Christian Academy ACA).
CEM also run the Australian Christian College, a distance education college but, due to a ruling by the VRQA, they are unable to enrol Victorian students in the distance ed school.
Victorian ACA families have been transfered from ACA to ACHS and Victorian home ed families can continue to legally access the ACE materials in this way.

Kingsley Educational Pty Ltd
Mt Waverley Vic
Phone (03) 9544 8792
Email enquiries@kepl.com.au
Web: http://www.kepl.com.au
Catalogue of Christian resources

Light Educational Ministries
Belconnen
Phone: (02) 6259 3944
Web:  http://www.lem.com.au
Christian curriculum resources

Homeschooling Supplies (Aust)
Werribee Vic
Phone: (03) 9742 7524
Email: office@homeschooling.com.au
Web: http://www.homeschooling.com.au

Alternatives for older students

See our teenagers and university sections