Syllabus development for HSIE

New HSIE K–6 Syllabus (2024)

Implementation from 2027

The new Human Society and its Environment K–6 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2027.

• 2025 and 2026 Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus.
• 2027 Start teaching new syllabus.

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 circumstances.

The HSIE K–6 Engagement Report (PDF 1.89MB) documents consultation feedback and the actions NESA took in response.

Key features

• The new K–6 curriculum is aligned to the latest evidence and research.
• For the first time the K–6 curriculum has been developed cohesively to support depth of learning and enhance student engagement.
• The new syllabuses will complement and strengthen literacy and numeracy with close alignment to new English and Mathematics K–10 syllabuses.
• Access content points support students with significant intellectual disability who are working towards Early Stage 1 outcomes.
• The HSIE K–6 syllabus is presented as one single, cohesive syllabus to support students in transferring concepts and to support teachers in planning for learning.
• The HSIE K–6 syllabus includes the use of maps, graphs and data for each stage of learning, aligned to the Mathematics syllabus.

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New HSIE K–6 Syllabus (2024)

The Human Society and its Environment or HSIE K–6 Syllabus aims to develop in students a sense of belonging, awe and wonder about their world and about the past.

The HSIE syllabus acts as both a mirror to reflect a student’s personal experiences and a window to view the world through different times and places.

Students are supported to make connections between the past and present by engaging with stories, images, objects and sites as sources to construct narratives of the past.

The syllabus provides opportunities for students to learn about how people care for, organise and manage places for conservation or sustainability.

Students apply mathematical knowledge to engage with maps, globes and graphs fostering curiosity about the world and Australia’s place within it.

The syllabus has been developed using evidence-based research.

Clear, concise language identifies the essential content for all learners.

Across learning areas, the primary curriculum is designed to be coherent, and is carefully sequenced, to build vocabulary and rich background knowledge that students can draw on as they encounter increasingly complex concepts and language.

Engaging content provides opportunities for teachers to broaden every student’s knowledge and understanding about Aboriginal Cultures and Histories.

Students learn about the roles and responsibilities for all Australian citizens and develop an understanding of the origins and principles of Australia’s democracy.

Explicit writing content supports students to become fluent creators of texts and to deepen their understanding and perspective of the past.

New South Wales classrooms are diverse.

Each student brings abilities, talents, backgrounds and experiences that should be valued and nurtured.

NESA’s Statement of Equity Principles makes sure that syllabuses are designed to be inclusive of every student in NSW, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disability, students learning English as an additional language or dialect, and gifted and talented students.

Early Stage 1 access content points provide a pathway for students with intellectual disability.

The syllabus is provided on a purpose-built website with quick, easy navigation and access to outcomes and content.

Syllabus elements are easily viewed, downloaded and printed.

The curriculum provides teachers with more time to focus on teaching, so that students develop a deeper understanding of core concepts.

It supports students to develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.

You can view the syllabus and information regarding implementation at curriculum.nsw.edu.au

[End of transcript]

Schools will have access to support materials to assist with implementation including teaching advice.

New Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus (2024)

Implementation from 2027

The new Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented in 2027.

• 2025 and 2026 Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus.
• 2027 Start teaching new syllabus.

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.

TheAboriginal Studies 7–10 Engagement Report (PDF 818.31KB) documents consultation feedback and the actions NESA took in response.

Key features

• The NSW Government continues to deliver an evidence-based, world-class curriculum with a new Aboriginal Studies syllabus for students in Years 7 to 10.
• The development of the new syllabus has been guided by the principle that every Australian child has the right to learn about this country's rich cultural history.
• The content is clearer which allows teachers to focus on the essential learning.
• Core content in 100- and 200-hour courses sets the foundation for what every student should know and understand as a common entitlement when undertaking Aboriginal Studies.
• The syllabus places greater emphasis on Aboriginal Peoples in NSW. This allows students to engage with local Knowledges and Communities and supports teachers to contextualise programs, making learning relevant to their local context.
• Life Skills outcomes and content an opportunity for students with intellectual disability to develop knowledge and skills to engage with Community.

Schools will have access to support materials to assist with implementation including teaching advice.

New Commerce 7–10 Syllabus (2024)

Implementation from 2027

The new Commerce 7–10 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2027.

• 2025 and 2026 Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus.
• 2027 Start teaching the new syllabus.

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.

The Commerce 7–10 Engagement Report (PDF 1.14MB) documents consultation feedback and the actions NESA took in response.

Key features

• The NSW Government is continuing its delivery of an evidence-based world class curriculum with a new Commerce syllabus for Years 7 to 10.
• Core content is more clearly defined so teachers can provide a greater depth of learning and build on this learning as they address additional content in the focus area options.
• Course outcomes are clearer and focus on the essential knowledge, understanding and skills that will enable students to increase their understanding of the consumer, financial, economic, business, legal, political and employment world.
• The new syllabus is more relevant to students’ everyday lives, providing practical skills and strategies to address challenges they will face in the modern world. For example, consumer and financial literacy has been strengthened, equipping students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to make responsible and informed consumer and financial decisions.
• Updated content will allow students to become more aware of current economic issues, the business world and Australia’s legal and political system.
• The real world application skills in the new syllabus have been strengthened to help students make informed consumer, financial, economic, business, legal, political and work related decisions, better equipping them for challenges they will face in the workforce and other areas of their lives.
• Life Skills outcomes and content provide access for students with intellectual disability.

Schools will have access to support materials to assist with implementation including teaching advice.

New Geography 7–10 Syllabus (2024)

Implementation from 2027

The new Geography 7–10 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2027.

• 2025 and 2026 Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus.
• 2027 Start teaching the new syllabus.

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.

The Geography 7–10 Engagement Report (PDF 1.84MB) documents consultation feedback and the actions NESA took in response.

Key features

• The NSW Government is continuing its delivery of an evidence-based world class curriculum with the Geography syllabus for Years 7 to 10.
• The new syllabus is more manageable for teachers. Content is clearer and has been streamlined, allowing teachers to focus on essential learning and for students to develop a depth of understanding.
• The new syllabus helps students increase their knowledge of the world around them.
• Students develop an understanding of their physical and human world, allowing them to engage with today’s increasingly complex world as active, informed citizens.
• New outcomes and content provide opportunities for students to build knowledge of Aboriginal Cultures and Histories.
• Life Skills outcomes and content provide access for students with intellectual disability.
• Under the NSW Government’s revised timeline, schools will now have more than two years to get to know the new syllabus, before teaching it from 2027. Previously teachers had just one year.

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New Geography 7–10 Syllabus (2024)

The Geography 7–10 Syllabus inspires curiosity and wonder about the world, nurturing an appreciation of the relationships between people, places and their environments.

Students acquire, process and communicate geographical information which equips them with the skills to navigate the complexities of the world and become informed critical thinkers.

The syllabus has been developed using evidence-based research.

Clear, concise language identifies the key concepts, knowledge and skills for all learners.

The Geography 7–10 Syllabus provides opportunities for students to apply knowledge from the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.

The inclusion of Aboriginal Cultures and Histories content supports students to learn about custodianship, care and management of Country. Students examine sustainable practices and Knowledge Systems that have been developed and implemented over millennia.

Thinking and working geographically is a feature of the syllabus that emphasises the importance of integrating geographical concepts, inquiry skills and tools to facilitate geographical inquiry.

The syllabus encourages students to explore places and environments by using a variety of geographical tools to participate effectively in fieldwork.

New South Wales classrooms are diverse.

Each student brings abilities, talents, backgrounds and experiences that should be valued and nurtured.

NESA’s Statement of Equity Principles makes sure that syllabuses are designed to be inclusive of every student in NSW, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disability, students learning English as an additional language or dialect, and gifted and talented students.

7–10 Life Skills outcomes and content provide a pathway for students with intellectual disability.

Life Skills content provides opportunities for students to connect with the physical and human geography of their immediate environment and make explicit real-world connections.

The syllabus is provided on a purpose-built website with quick, easy navigation and access to outcomes and content.

Syllabus elements are easily viewed, downloaded and printed.

The curriculum provides teachers with more time to focus on teaching, so that students develop a deeper understanding of core concepts.

It supports students to develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.

You can view the syllabus and information regarding implementation at curriculum.nsw.edu.au

[End of transcript]

Schools will have access to support materials to assist with implementation including teaching advice.

New History 7–10 Syllabus (2024)

Implementation from 2027

The new History 7–10 Syllabus (2024) is to be implemented from 2027.

• 2025 and 2026 Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus.
• 2027 Start teaching the new syllabus.

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.

The History 7–10 Engagement Report (PDF 2.45MB) documents consultation feedback and the actions NESA took in response.

Key features

• The NSW Government is continuing its delivery of an evidence-based world class curriculum with the History syllabus for Years 7 to 10.
• The new syllabus is more manageable for teachers. Content is clearer and has been streamlined, allowing teachers to focus on essential learning and for students to develop a depth of understanding.
• The new syllabus helps students increase their knowledge of the world around them.
• Students will examine more perspectives of the Australian and global past.
• New outcomes and content provide opportunities for students to build knowledge of Aboriginal Cultures and Histories.
• Students develop an understanding of their increasingly complex world, allowing them to engage with today’s increasingly complex world as active, informed citizens.
• Life Skills outcomes and content provide access for students with intellectual disability.
• Under the NSW Government’s revised timeline, schools will now have more than two years to get to know the new syllabuses, before teaching them from 2027. Previously teachers had just one year.

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New History 7–10 Syllabus (2024)

The History 7–10 Syllabus provides students with the opportunity to examine how people, events and forces from the past have shaped the world.Students learn to think historically by applying concepts of continuity and change, cause and effect, perspective, significance and contestability as they interpret historical sources.

The syllabus has been developed using evidence-based research.

Clear, concise language identifies the essential content for all learners.

Students develop key historical knowledge related to specific historical periods and extend their understanding through historical depth studies, case studies and site studies.

Students study the shared history that has shaped Australia, including the historical experiences of different cultural groups in our global society.

Aboriginal Cultures and Histories outcomes and content support students to deepen their knowledge about the oldest continuous Cultures in the world.

Students explicitly learn about civics and citizenship, which form the basis of Australia’s free, democratic and egalitarian society.

New South Wales classrooms are diverse.

Each student brings abilities, talents, backgrounds and experiences that should be valued and nurtured.

NESA’s Statement of Equity Principles makes sure that syllabuses are designed to be inclusive of every student in NSW, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disability, students learning English as an additional language or dialect, and gifted and talented students.

7–10 Life Skills outcomes and content provide a pathway for students with intellectual disability.

Life Skills content provides students with an opportunity to make connections to their diverse lived experiences, engaging them with the history that has formed their world.

The syllabus is provided on a purpose-built website with quick, easy navigation and access to outcomes and content.

Syllabus elements are easily viewed, downloaded and printed.

The curriculum provides teachers with more time to focus on teaching, so that students develop a deeper understanding of core concepts.

It supports students to develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.

You can view the syllabus and information regarding implementation at curriculum.nsw.edu.au

[End of transcript]

Schools will have access to support materials to assist with implementation including teaching advice.

New Work Education 7–10 Syllabus (2025)

Implementation from 2028

The new Work Education 7–10 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented in 2028.

• 2026 to 2027 Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus.
• 2028 Start teaching the new syllabus.

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.

The Work Education 7–10 Engagement Report documents consultation feedback and the actions NESA took in response.

Key features

• The new Work Education 7–10 Syllabus equips students with the essential knowledge and understanding to participate as critical, active, informed and responsible citizens through the study of the relationship between work, society and the economy.
• Students develop self-awareness in relation to career planning and apply economic and social perspectives to make sound career decisions.
• Students learn knowledge, practical skills and strategies to assist them to address challenges they may face as members of the workforce.
• The syllabus includes real-world application skills to support students in making informed work-related decisions, while also examining the role of collaboration, creativity, analytical thinking and problem-solving skills in contemporary workplaces.
• Updated content helps students become aware of current work-related issues and develop their capacity to prepare for and adapt to multiple transitions throughout their lives, including post-school pathways.
• Life Skills outcomes and content provide access for students with intellectual disability.

Schools will have access to support materials to assist with implementation including teaching advice.

New Geography 11–12 syllabuses

New syllabuses are now being implemented:

• Geography 11–12 Syllabus (2022)
• Geography Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2022).

Key features

• New contemporary content, a more global focus on geography, and choice and flexibility in the studies students can take in each focus area.
• Updated time allocations and content enabling greater depth of study.
• New requirements and content on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures and other Indigenous peoples in a global context.
• Greater reference to contemporary spatial technologies such as the use of augmented and virtual reality.
• An increased focus on applying knowledge using geographical inquiry skills and tools.

Schools have access to support materials to assist with implementation including:

• Geography 11–12 teaching advice
• Geography Life Skills 11–12 teaching advice.
• The Geography 11–12 Engagement Report (PDF 381.59KB) documents the feedback received from consultation and the actions taken by NESA in response.

New History 11–12 syllabuses

New syllabuses to be implemented from Term 4, 2026:

• History Extension 11–12 Syllabus (2024).

New syllabuses to be implemented from 2027:

• Ancient History 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
• Ancient History Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
• Modern History 11–12 Syllabus (2024)
• Modern History Life Skills 11–12 Syllabus (2024).

Key features

• The NSW Government has delivered new History syllabuses for Years 11 and 12 as part of the NSW Curriculum Reform program.
• Under the NSW Government’s revised Curriculum Reform timeline, teachers will have more than two years to get to know these new syllabuses before teaching them from 2026.
• More clearly defined content across the new History 11–12 syllabuses will streamline teacher planning and allow students to better access rich learning opportunities at school and during their pathways after school.
• Students gain knowledge and understanding of the forces that have shaped the contemporary world, enabling them to become informed global citizens.
• New evidence-based support materials, including teaching advice, will be available on the NSW Curriculum website to assist schools and teachers in implementing the new syllabuses.

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NESA History 11–12 -CC

The History 11–12 syllabuses provide students with the opportunity to investigate the historical features and forces that have shaped today’s world. By engaging with sources as part of the historical inquiry process, students consider issues of cause and effect and perspective, along with problems of evidence and historiographical issues.

The syllabuses have been developed using evidence-based research.

Clear, concise language identifies the essential content for all learners.

The refinement of content across all History syllabuses clarifies what students need to know and do.

The syllabuses are clearly organised into focus areas, which include options that provide a range of pathways through the syllabus and offer students the opportunity to study people and events from a wide range of times and places.

Outcomes have been reviewed and clarified to ensure a clear progression of conceptual understanding and historical skill development from History 7–10.

Skills of historical analysis and interpretation are clearly integrated throughout the content in Ancient History and Modern History, with a focus on the development of these elements from Year 11 into Year 12. Students use these skills to progress to historiographical analysis in History Extension.

New South Wales classrooms are diverse.

Each student brings abilities, talents, backgrounds and experiences that should be valued and nurtured.

NESA’s Statement of Equity Principles makes sure that syllabuses are designed to be inclusive of every student in NSW, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disability, students learning English as an additional language or dialect, and gifted and talented students.

New Early Stage 1 access content points and 7–10 Life Skills outcomes and content provide a pathway for students with intellectual disability.

The Ancient History Life Skills and Modern History Life Skills syllabuses provide opportunities for students to develop skills in understanding time and chronology and make personal connections to people, places and events of the past. The syllabuses align with the Ancient Historyand Modern History 11–12 syllabuses to facilitate integrated delivery in the same class. There is a clear progression from the skills and concepts in the History 7–10 Life Skills course.

The syllabuses are provided on a purpose-built website with quick, easy navigation and access to outcomes and content.

Syllabus elements are easily viewed, downloaded and printed.

The curriculum provides teachers with more time to focus on teaching, so that students develop a deeper understanding of core concepts.

It supports students to develop strong foundations for learning, life and work in a complex and fast-changing world.

You can view the syllabus and information regarding implementation at curriculum.nsw.edu.au

Schools have access to support materials to assist with implementation including:

• Ancient History 11–12 teaching advice
• Ancient History Life Skills 11–12 teaching advice
• History Extension 11–12 teaching advice
• Modern History 11–12 teaching advice
• Modern History Life Skills 11–12 teaching advice
• The Ancient History, Ancient History Life Skills, Modern History, Modern History Life Skills, History Extension 11–12 Engagement Report (PDF 1.46MB) documents the feedback received from consultation and the actions taken by NESA in response.