History K–10 Syllabus (2012)
Find out more about the History K–10 Syllabus (2012) and access teaching and learning support materials.
New syllabuses implemented from 2027
New syllabuses to be implemented from 2027:
History 7–10 Syllabus (2024)
HSIE K–6 Syllabus (2024)
• 2025 and 2026 – Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabuses
• 2027 – Start teaching the new syllabuses
School sectors are responsible for implementing syllabuses and are best placed to provide schools with specific guidance and information on implementation given their understanding of their individual contexts.
Detailed implementation information, including key features and resources, is available on the HSIE syllabus development page.
About the course
History is a disciplined process of inquiry into the past that helps to explain how people, events and forces from the past have shaped our world.
History develops in students an interest in and enjoyment of exploring the past. A study of history provides opportunities for examining events, people and societies from ancient, medieval and modern times, including twentieth-century Australia. Opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of civics and citizenship are a feature throughout the History Years 7–10 syllabus.
The History Years 7–10 course includes Life Skills outcomes and content for students with disability.
Students learn to apply the skills of investigating history, including analysing sources and evidence and sequencing major historical events to show an understanding of historical concepts including change and continuity, causation, contestability and significance. Students develop research and communication skills, and examine different perspectives to develop an empathetic understanding of a wide variety of viewpoints.
Students also learn to construct logical historical arguments supported by relevant evidence and to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences and different purposes.
Years 7–8
In Years 7–8, students explore the nature of history, how historians investigate the past and the importance of conserving our heritage, including the heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Aspects of the ancient, medieval and early modern world are studied, including daily life, beliefs and values, law and religion. The nature of colonisation and contact history may also be investigated. One ancient Asian society is a mandatory study.
Years 9–10
In Years 9–10, students learn of significant developments in the making of the modern world and Australia. Mandatory studies include Australians at War (World Wars I and II) and Rights and Freedoms of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Other topics may include the making of the Australian nation, the history of an Asian society, Australian social history and migration experiences.
Board Developed Course
Course number(s):
- 4007 History
- 4008 History Life Skills
Exclusions: Students may not access both the History Years 7–10 outcomes and content and the History Life Skills outcomes and content.
All students must complete a site study in Stage 4 and in Stage 5.
Information about curriculum requirements for the RoSA are available on Assessment Certification Examination (ACE).
Assessment information and support
Teaching and learning support
Use these support materials to guide and plan your teaching and assessment.
The Life Skills outcomes worksheet can be used to collect information on the outcomes that a student has achieved before recording them in Schools Online.
Early Stage 1
- History K–10: Sample scope and sequence (Early Stage 1) (DOCX 16.26KB)
- Integrated: Sample scope and sequence (Early Stage 1) (DOCX 19.21KB)
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
- History K–10: Sample scope and sequence (Stage 4) – Year 7 (DOCX 15.07KB)
- History K–10: Sample scope and sequence (Stage 4 integrated with Life Skills) – Year 8 (DOCX 15.2KB)
- Integrated: Sample scope and sequence (Stage 4 Life Skills) – A (DOCX 15.78KB)
Stage 4–5
Stage 5
- History K–10: Sample scope and sequence (Stage 5) – Year 9 (DOCX 14.69KB)
- History K–10: Sample scope and sequence (Stage 5) – Year 10 (DOCX 14.71KB)
- History K–10: Sample scope and sequence (Stage 5 Life Skills) (DOCX 14.89KB)
- Integrated: Sample scope and sequence (Stage 5 Life Skills) – A (DOCX 20.07KB)
Stage 4–6
Stage 5
- History K–10: Sample work (Stage 5) – A migrant's story
- History K–10: Sample work (Stage 5) – Australian and the UN
- History K–10: Sample work (Stage 5) – Changing rights and freedoms
- History K–10: Sample work (Stage 5) – Australia in the Vietnam War era
- History K–10: Sample work (Stage 5) – Experiences of the depression
- History K–10: Sample work (Stage 5) – People power
- History K–10: Sample work (Stage 5) – Stolen Generations