Distance Education
We are committed to providing quality education to all ACT students. We understand that a regular school setting may not, at times, suit an individual student.
Distance Education is an equity program for ACT school aged students whose individual circumstances prevent them from regularly attending school.
The Distance Education program is coordinated by Flexible Education (ACT Education) and delivered through a partnership with the NSW Finigan School of Distance Education (NSW Education).
To apply for distance education, students will need to meet one of the below eligibility criteria and provide the relevant supporting documentation.
Eligibility criteria
Students must be an ACT resident and enrolled in an ACT public school with one of the below requirements to meet eligibility criteria and seek an application to access distance education:
- Student with a medical condition that prevents their attendance at a regular school or other local provision (supporting documentation from a paediatrician)
- Student with elite participation in sport or other vocation at a nationally recognised level (supporting documentation from the sporting or governing body)
- Students with additional learning and support needs that cannot be met in an ACT public school and all avenues of support are exhausted (supporting documentation from a psychiatrist/psychologist)
In addition, the student will need to have the supervision of an adult during the hours of 9:00am – 3:00pm Monday to Friday.
Distance Education students are required to nominally enrol in their local public school to be eligible to access distance education; however, they are not required to attend.
Enquiries about accessing the Distance Education program should be directed by email to distanceeducation@ed.act.edu.au or by calling (02) 6142 3751.
Applying for Distance Education
Contact the Distance Education team in the first instance. The Distance Education team will support you to ascertain whether distance education will be a suitable option to meet the needs of your child and the requirements of the program.
The team will work with you to understand the eligibility criteria and required supporting documentation required, which includes:
- proof of ACT residency and birth certificate
- support letter from the relevant professional depending on the eligibility criteria
Distance Education will only be approved for a minimum of 6 months and will be reviewed annually with updated supporting documentation required.
For HSC (year 11 and 12) study, students are required to be enrolled in the Finigan School of Distance Education for the commencement of year 11 and study for the full two-year period.
The Flexible Education team can provide additional services or wrap around support that students and their families may require.
FAQs
Why enrolment at an ACT public school is required to participate in Distance Education
All Distance Education students are required to be enrolled in an ACT public school. This is because the ACT Education Directorate facilitates the program and maintains oversight of student numbers as well as providing support to students and their families where required. Students in ACT non-government schools will need to enrol at their local public school.
Applying for Distance Education when you live in NSW and your child attends an ACT school
NSW resident applicants should contact the relevant NSW Distance Education centre directly.
Start dates for Distance Education
Student enrolments will be from the commencement of each term and cannot be started mid-term. It is important to note that processing enrolments can take several weeks to be approved through both Flexible Education (ACT) and Finigan School of Distance Education (NSW).
Single course study options
If a student wishes to undertake a particular course of study (such as a language), the student’s ACT school should contact the Distance Education team to discuss options.
Contacting Finigan School of Distance of Education directly
As all Distance Education programs are facilitated and approved through the ACT Education Directorate. Parents and carers should not contact Finigan School of Distance Education directly during the enrolment process.
Further information
Contact the Distance Education team by email to distanceeducation@ed.act.edu.au or by calling (02) 6142 3751.