The Australian Curriculum

Australia

A national curriculum for all Australian students from Foundation to Year 10, designed to provide a high-quality, equitable education. It is organized into eight learning areas, seven general capabilities, and three cross-curriculum priorities.

The Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0

A national curriculum for all Australian students from Foundation to Year 10, designed to provide a high-quality, equitable education. It is organized into eight learning areas, seven general capabilities, and three cross-curriculum priorities.

Governing Body: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)

Year Adopted: 2022

Grade Levels Covered

Foundation, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10

English

Foundation

AC9EFL01 Literacy

Understand that English is one of many languages spoken in Australia and that different languages may be used in different contexts.

Key skills: Intercultural awareness, Language identification

Year 3

AC9E3LA01 Language

Understand how different types of texts are structured to provide information or tell stories and how these structures help the reader.

Key skills: Text structure analysis, Reading comprehension

Year 6

AC9E6LY01 Literacy

Analyze and evaluate how different texts use language features, including literary devices and multimodal features, to influence audiences.

Key skills: Critical analysis, Media literacy, Persuasive techniques

Year 10

AC9E10LE01 Literature

Evaluate the social, moral, and ethical positions represented in literary texts and how these reflect or challenge different perspectives.

Key skills: Ethical reasoning, Critical evaluation, Thematic analysis

Mathematics

Foundation

AC9MFN01 Number

Name, represent and order numbers from 0 to 20, and use them to count and quantify collections.

Key skills: Counting, Number recognition, One-to-one correspondence

Year 3

AC9M3N05 Number

Recall and use multiplication facts for 2, 3, 5 and 10 and related division facts.

Key skills: Multiplication, Division, Mental computation

Year 6

AC9M6A02 Algebra

Represent and solve problems involving unknown quantities using number sentences and variables.

Key skills: Algebraic thinking, Variable usage, Problem solving

Year 10

AC9M10N01 Number

Recognize the effect of approximations of real numbers in repeated calculations and use mathematical modeling to solve financial problems.

Key skills: Financial mathematics, Mathematical modeling, Precision analysis

Science

Foundation

AC9SFU01 Science Understanding

Observe and describe the external features of living things and how they live in different places.

Key skills: Observation, Classification, Biological awareness

Year 4

AC9S4U03 Science Understanding

Identify how the Earth's surface changes over time as a result of natural processes and human activity.

Key skills: Earth science, Environmental impact analysis, Cause and effect

Year 7

AC9S7U04 Science Understanding

Explain how the relative positions of the Earth, sun, and moon cause cycles such as day and night, seasons, and eclipses.

Key skills: Spatial reasoning, Astronomy, Scientific explanation

Year 10

AC9S10U01 Science Understanding

Explain the processes that underpin heredity and genetic diversity and describe the evidence supporting the theory of evolution.

Key skills: Genetics, Evolutionary theory, Evidence-based argument

Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)

Year 2

AC9HS2K01 History

Describe the history of a significant person, building, or site in the local community and explain why it is important.

Key skills: Historical inquiry, Community awareness, Significance evaluation

Year 5

AC9HS5K04 Economics and Business

Identify the difference between needs and wants and how people make choices about how to use resources.

Key skills: Economic reasoning, Decision making, Resource management

Year 8

AC9HG8K01 Geography

Analyze the causes and consequences of urbanization and the different strategies used to manage the growth of cities.

Key skills: Geographic analysis, Sustainability planning, Data interpretation

Year 10

AC9HC10K01 Civics and Citizenship

Evaluate the features of Australia's democratic system and the role of the High Court in interpreting the Constitution.

Key skills: Political analysis, Legal literacy, Civic participation

Implementation Notes

The Australian Curriculum is implemented by state and territory education authorities. While the national framework (v9.0) provides the standards, individual states (e.g., NSW, Victoria) may adapt the content into their own syllabus documents. Teachers use 'Content Elaborations' to provide practical examples of how to teach each standard.

Assessment

Student achievement is assessed against 'Achievement Standards' for each year level. National assessment is primarily conducted through NAPLAN (National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy) in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9. Schools use an A-E grading scale or equivalent to report on student progress relative to the achievement standards.

About This Standard
Added:
January 13, 2026

This standard was generated using AI with grounded search to find official, accurate information. While we strive for accuracy, please verify important details with official sources.

More from Australia

New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) Syllabuses

New South Wales

Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline

Western Australia

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