Australian Curriculum

The Australian Curriculum provides a standardized framework for K-12 education across all Australian states and territories, ensuring consistency in teaching and learning outcomes. Developed by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), it covers key learning areas with a focus on core competencies, general capabilities, and cross-curriculum priorities designed to equip students with essential skills and knowledge for lifelong learning and active citizenship.

1. Structure of the Australian Curriculum

The curriculum is divided into several learning areas and general capabilities, with specific cross-curriculum priorities that address national and global challenges:

Learning Areas:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
• The Arts
• Technologies
• Health and Physical Education (HPE)
• Languages

General Capabilities:

• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability
• Critical and Creative Thinking
• Personal and Social Capability
• Ethical Understanding
• Intercultural Understanding

Cross-Curriculum Priorities:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
• Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia
• Sustainability

2. Australian Curriculum by Learning Area

English

• Focus: Literacy, language development, literature appreciation, and communication skills.
• Core Components:
  • Language: Grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, and linguistic conventions.
  • Literature: Reading and interpreting texts, including novels, poetry, plays, and visual media.
  • Literacy: Comprehension, critical thinking, analysis, and effective communication.
• Progression by Year Level:
  • Foundation to Year 2: Phonics, early reading, basic grammar, simple writing tasks.
  • Years 3-6: Building comprehension, writing narrative and persuasive texts, analyzing themes.
  • Years 7-10: Literary analysis, essay writing, studying various genres.
  • Senior Years (Years 11-12): Advanced text analysis, media literacy, and persuasive and argumentative writing.

Mathematics

• Focus: Foundational and advanced mathematical concepts, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
• Core Components:
  • Number and Algebra: Basic arithmetic, algebraic expressions, equations.
  • Measurement and Geometry: Properties of shapes, measurements, area, volume, geometry.
  • Statistics and Probability: Data collection, graphing, probability, analysis.
• Progression by Year Level:
  • Foundation to Year 2: Counting, number patterns, simple operations, basic shapes.
  • Years 3-6: Fractions, decimals, introductory geometry, data representation.
  • Years 7-10: Algebra, trigonometry, linear equations, data analysis, probability.
  • Senior Years (Years 11-12): Options for General Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, and Specialist Mathematics, including calculus and advanced statistics.

Science

• Focus: Scientific inquiry, understanding natural and physical phenomena, critical thinking.
• Core Components:
  • Biological Sciences: Ecosystems, life cycles, genetics.
  • Chemical Sciences: Elements, compounds, reactions, chemistry of materials.
  • Earth and Space Sciences: Weather, solar system, natural resources, geological processes.
  • Physical Sciences: Forces, energy, motion, electricity.
• Progression by Year Level:
  • Foundation to Year 2: Observation of nature, basic experiments, introduction to animals and plants.
  • Years 3-6: Simple experiments, ecosystems, materials, and properties of matter.
  • Years 7-10: Scientific method, cell biology, chemical reactions, physics concepts like light and sound.
  • Senior Years (Years 11-12): Options for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth and Environmental Science, with in-depth studies and laboratory work.

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

• Focus: Understanding human societies, history, geography, civics, and economics.
• Core Components:
  • History: Ancient and modern civilizations, world events, Australian history.
  • Geography: Physical and human geography, ecosystems, climate, resource management.
  • Civics and Citizenship: Government systems, laws, democratic values, community roles.
  • Economics and Business: Financial literacy, economic systems, entrepreneurship.
• Progression by Year Level:
  • Foundation to Year 2: Family history, basic geography, local community.
  • Years 3-6: Australian history, world cultures, introduction to government and economy.
  • Years 7-10: Detailed study of historical events, global issues, environmental management, economic principles.
  • Senior Years (Years 11-12): Options include Modern History, Geography, Economics, and Legal Studies, with deeper analysis and critical evaluation.

The Arts

• Focus: Developing creativity, artistic skills, and cultural appreciation.
• Core Components: Visual Arts, Music, Drama, Dance, and Media Arts.
• Progression by Year Level:
  • Foundation to Year 2: Basic art techniques, music exploration, storytelling.
  • Years 3-6: Artistic expression, performance skills, art appreciation, and cultural influences.
  • Years 7-10: Advanced artistic techniques, critical evaluation of works, multimedia projects.
  • Senior Years (Years 11-12): Specializations in Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Drama, and Media Arts, focusing on artistic practice and portfolio development.

Technologies

• Focus: Digital literacy, design thinking, and problem-solving through hands-on activities.
• Core Components:
  • Design and Technologies: Engineering principles, materials science, product design.
  • Digital Technologies: Coding, data systems, computer science basics, cybersecurity.
• Progression by Year Level:
  • Foundation to Year 2: Basic technology use, introduction to coding, simple designs.
  • Years 3-6: Building simple machines, basic programming, design process.
  • Years 7-10: Coding languages, digital solutions, problem-solving in design, ethical tech use.
  • Senior Years (Years 11-12): Advanced coding, digital media, and design with courses in Information Technology, Systems Engineering, and Software Development.

Health and Physical Education (HPE)

• Focus: Physical fitness, personal health, well-being, teamwork, and social skills.
• Core Components:
  • Physical Education: Movement skills, sports, physical fitness.
  • Health Education: Nutrition, mental health, personal safety, relationships.
• Progression by Year Level:
  • Foundation to Year 2: Basic motor skills, group games, healthy habits.
  • Years 3-6: Team sports, fitness challenges, social skills in physical activities.
  • Years 7-10: Advanced sports skills, personal fitness, mental health awareness.
  • Senior Years (Years 11-12): Specialization in Physical Education with theory on sports science, fitness, and health-related issues.

Languages

• Focus: Developing bilingual or multilingual proficiency and cultural awareness.
• Core Languages Offered: Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Modern Greek, Spanish, Arabic, and Auslan (Australian Sign Language).
• Progression by Year Level:
  • Foundation to Year 2: Basic vocabulary, greetings, simple phrases.
  • Years 3-6: Basic grammar, conversational skills, cultural context.
  • Years 7-10: Expanded vocabulary, complex sentence structures, cultural projects.
  • Senior Years (Years 11-12): Advanced language skills, literature, and cultural studies.

3. General Capabilities and Cross-Curriculum Priorities

The general capabilities are integrated across all learning areas to develop essential life skills:

• Literacy and Numeracy: Integrated in all subjects to ensure proficiency.
• ICT Capability: Digital literacy, responsible technology use, and problem-solving.
• Critical and Creative Thinking: Analyzing, hypothesizing, and creative approaches to learning.
• Personal and Social Capability: Self-management, teamwork, resilience, empathy.
• Ethical Understanding and Intercultural Understanding: Awareness of diverse cultures and ethical decision-making.

Cross-Curriculum Priorities address national and global issues:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures: Inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in all subjects.
• Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia: Promoting understanding of Australia’s place in the Asian region.
• Sustainability: Teaching environmental stewardship, sustainable practices, and ecological responsibility.

4. Assessment in the Australian Curriculum

Assessment is ongoing and varies by state, focusing on knowledge, skills, and understanding. National standardized assessments include:

• NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy): Tests for Years 3, 5, 7, and 9, measuring literacy and numeracy skills.
• Senior Secondary Certificates (Years 11-12): Each state has a certificate (e.g., HSC in NSW, VCE in Victoria) with exams and school-based assessments, leading to university entrance scores (ATAR).

5. Strengths of the Australian Curriculum

• Balanced and Inclusive: Emphasis on academic, social, and practical skills.
• Flexible Framework: Allows for state and school adaptations to local needs.
• Global Perspective: Encourages intercultural understanding, sustainability, and ethical responsibility.
• Focus on Critical Skills: Emphasizes literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, and digital literacy, preparing students for a rapidly changing world.