A state education regulator is being accused of launching a new attack on home-schooling by trying to shut down an online tutoring business that provides programs for home-schooling families.
The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) claims the business known as Homeschool Academy Tutoring (formerly Homeschool Academy Australia) is operating as a home-school — despite giving the green light to its services four years ago.
Academy founder and single Christian mum Lydia Denker recently posted that the authority launched a “scare campaign”, advising Victorian home-schooling families her business was unregistered as a school — when it didn’t have to be because the VRQA had previously advised it wasn’t a home-school.
Many customers cancelled their orders — mistakenly fearing government action could be taken against them.
HOMESCHOOL ACADEMY BACKGROUND
Former professional singer and Australian Idol contestant Ms. Denker founded her Academy during the pandemic with the aim of revolutionising home-schooling education.
Its mission was to go beyond academics with a commitment to providing “a nurturing environment where every child can thrive, especially those who have experienced bullying, school refusal, and are neurodiverse.”
“We are dedicated to partnering with schools to implement proactive early intervention programs aimed at preventing student disengagement and dropout,” according to its website.
“We specialise in personalised educational solutions that cater to the unique needs of each student.”
ACADEMY PROVIDES MORE THAN ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
“Our curriculum is designed not only to foster academic excellence but also to promote emotional well-being and confidence.”
“We believe in creating safe learning spaces where children feel supported, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.”
“We are dedicated to forging strong partnerships with TAFEs and universities to create seamless transitions for homeschooling students into higher education.”
VICTORIA GOVT SEEKS TO SHUT DOWN ACADEMY
The business ran smoothly until the middle of last year when the VRQA launched a campaign to shut down the tutoring academy.
Ms. Denker explained what happened in a post:
For over 4 years, Homeschool Academy Australia has supported hundreds of families across Australia, especially those navigating neurodivergence, school refusal, bullying, and post-pandemic anxiety.
In 2021, we were approved by the VRQA. We followed every rule. Every piece of guidance. We met every requirement.
NEW INVESTIGATION INTO HOMESCHOOL ACADEMY
In August last year, the VRQA launched another investigation, once again accusing us of being an unregistered school.
When I reminded them of the 2021 investigation that we were already cleared, they claimed to have no record of ever dealing with us.
Thankfully, we do have everything in writing.
Due to the simple fact that the VRQA have not done their due diligence to keep record of the businesses they investigate and approve, and without legal grounds, or due process, we were demanded to .
(FYI- We are still operating in Victoria!)
In October 2024, a letter was sent by the VRQA to all Victorian registered home-schooling families, misrepresenting what an unregistered school looks like and by doing so falsely implying we are an illegal school.
“CONFUSION, FEAR AND REAL HARM”
This has caused confusion, fear, and real harm.
We are now launching a and a against the VRQA.
Because this is no longer just about us.This is about:
• Every being bullied
• Every trying to innovate
• Every FREEDOMS to choose what’s best for their children
• Every – initiative being silenced for doing good
If this can happen to us, it can happen to anyone.
We’re not going quietly!
“RELENTLESS PRESSURE FROM VRQA”
In an updated post this month, Ms Denker added how the authority’s actions had impacted negatively on her business.
We endured relentless pressure from the VRQA.
They demanded access to private family data, data I refused to provide.
Why? Because the safety, privacy, and trust of our families is my absolute priority.
When I stood my ground, the VRQA retaliated.
They sent out an email to every Victorian home-schooling family, outlining our unique programs and using them as an example of what they claim is an “unregistered school.”
“TARGETED CAMPAIGN TO SCARE FAMILIES AND DESTROY BUSINESS”
This was not a warning. This was targeted, an attempt to scare families and destroy our business.
Over half of our Victorian families withdrew from our programs, not because we failed them, but because they feared the system would punish them for accessing support.
Support for anxious children. For school refusal. For neurodivergent learners.
The VRQA has no legal authority to shut us down, which is why they’re relying on fear and manipulation.
ACADEMY DEFIANT AND DETERMINED TO FIGHT
We won’t allow the VRQA to strip Victorian families of their rights to homeschool.
Rights that are still protected under law and have not changed.
We are fighting back, not just for us, but for every family who deserves the right to choose what’s best for their children’s education.
If you believe in educational freedom, then we need your support.
Share this. Tag media outlets and influencers. Help us amplify the truth.
Because what’s happening is wrong and together, we will make it right!
VICTORIAN MP SEEKS ANSWERS
Victorian Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans has sought answers from the Victorian government in State Parliament.
She asked why the VRQA “was able to inform clients and families that it was acting as an illegal and unregistered school when it has been fully compliant with the relevant provisions of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 and has been formally approved by the VRQA.”
Ms. Herman noted that the Academy has been “requesting that the VRQA publicly acknowledge and correct this error as their actions have unjustly impacted it and the broader homeschooling community.”
“LONG-TERM DAMAGE TO ACADEMY’S REPUTATION”
“The allegations that it was illegally operating, has damaged its long-standing reputation and has instilled fear in both previous families and new homeschooling families in Victoria, resulting in a loss of over half of its business.”
“Many of them are feeling that they cannot return until they know that this government is actually approving of it and understands that Homeschool Academy Australia is not a school.”
The MP and Lydia Denker are still awaiting an answer and a correction.
The post Persecution of Homeschooling Business appeared first on Vision Christian Media.