Using NESA syllabuses

• Kindergarten (Early Stage 1)
• Years 1 and 2 (Stage 1)
• Years 3 and 4 (Stage 2)
• Years 5 and 6 (Stage 3)

• Years 7 and 8 (Stage 4)
• Years 9 and 10 (Stage 5)

• Years 11 and 12 (Stage 6)
• Some syllabus documents refer to Year 11 as Preliminary and Year 12 as HSC

• English
• Mathematics
• Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
• Creative Arts
• Language
• Science and Technology

• English
• Mathematics
• Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
• Creative Arts
• Language
• Science
• Technological and Applied Studies
• Vocational Education and Training (VET)

The mandatory areas of study include:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science and Technology
• Human Society and its Environment (HSIE - Geography and/or History)
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
• Creative Arts (Music, Dance, Drama and Visual Arts).

The mandatory areas of study include:

• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Human Society and its Environment (HSIE - 1 syllabus from this area)
• 2 syllabuses, each from a different key learning area, from the following list:
  • Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
  • Languages
  • Creative Arts
  • Technological and Applied Studies.

An example of a curriculum for secondary education

This example demonstrates a secondary curriculum with:

• the mandatory syllabuses of English, Mathematics and Science
• 1 syllabus from the HSIE key learning area (Commerce in Year 9 and History Elective in Year 10)
• 2 optional syllabuses each year from different key learning areas (Drama and Agriculture in Year 9, Child Studies and Agriculture in Year 10).

Syllabuses other than English, Mathematics and Science may remain constant or change year to year according to the needs and interest of the child.

An additional example of a curriculum for secondary education designed to meet a child’s learning needs

Example 1

This example demonstrates a pattern of study with:

• the mandatory syllabuses of English, Mathematics and Science
• 1 syllabus from the HSIE key learning area (Geography in both Year 7 and Year 8)
• 2 optional syllabuses each year from different key learning areas
• Mathematics and Science stages reflect the child’s level of achievement.

The following pattern of study is the minimum requirement for senior secondary education.

• a 2 unit English course
• at least 6 units of NESA developed courses
• 3 courses of 2 unit value
• at least 4 subjects
• at least 12 units of study in Year 11 and 10 units of study in Year 12.

NESA syllabus documents outline the unit value of each course. Most courses have a 2 unit value.

In addition to studying English, a senior secondary pattern of study can include a range of courses selected from the following key learning areas:

• Mathematics
• Human Society and its Environment (HSIE)
• Creative Arts
• Technological and Applied Studies
• Science
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
• Languages
• Vocational Education and Training (VET*)

*VET courses can only be delivered by Registered Training Organisations that meet national standards and have the relevant qualification and units of competency on their scope of registration. For further information about the national standards, see the Australian Skills Quality Authority.

Subjects and courses

Within a subject such as Mathematics there may be multiple courses, such as:

• Mathematics Standard
• Mathematics Advanced
• Mathematics Extension 1
• Mathematics  Extension 2.

Patterns of study

An example of a pattern of study for Years 11 and 12

This example demonstrates a pattern of study with:

• a 2 unit English course
• a minimum of 12 units in Year 11
• a minimum of 10 units in Year 12
• more than 4 subjects in Year 11.

In this example the child decided to stop studying Physics for Year 12 and concentrate on the remaining courses.

Below are some additional examples of patterns of study designed to meet the needs of a child in senior secondary education.

Example 1

This example demonstrates:

• changes of course options to meet the child’s interests and needs in English (from English Standard to English Studies)
• the minimum of 4 subjects in Year 12 with:
  • Mathematics
  • English
  • Biology
  • Software Engineering
• a minimum of 12 units in Year 11
• a minimum of 10 units in Year 12.

In this example the child decided to stop studying Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation as well as Work Studies for Year 12 and concentrate on the remaining courses.

Example 2

This example demonstrates course options to meet the child’s interests and needs through:

• accessing a combination of syllabuses including some with Life Skills outcomes and content in a range of courses
• a minimum of 12 units in Year 11
• a minimum of 10 units in Year 12.

In this example the child decided to keep studying the same courses and number of units into Year 12.

Note – Stage 6 Life Skills courses provide course options for children with intellectual disability or imputed intellectual disability in Years 11–12 who cannot access related general education courses.

Stage 6 Life Skills courses are not appropriate options for children:

• who do not have an intellectual disability or an imputed intellectual disability
• experiencing significant unexpected and/or chronic health issues
• performing below their cohort
• who could be helped with appropriate adjustments and support
• with emotional and/or behavioural needs.

A student studying any Stage 6 Life Skills course(s) will usually have completed one or more courses based on Life Skills outcomes and content in Years 7–10.

Find additional information on life skills courses.