This guide has been produced by the expert team of humanities and social sciences teachers, authors and publishers at Oxford University Press. It contains a clear, concise overview of the key changes to the structure and content of the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) and is designed to save you time and help you plan and implement the new curriculum with confidence
The Australian Curriculum is reviewed by ACARA every 6 years and the 2020–2021 review resulted in the Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0.
The review was conducted to ensure the curriculum was up to date, had a strong evidence base, and matched the high standards expected in other high-performing countries.
According to ACARA, ‘Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0 is a more stripped-back and teachable curriculum that identifies the essential content our children should learn’.
In Humanities and Social Sciences, there is a greater emphasis on First Nations Peoples across all subjects, a reduction in the amount of History content to be studied and a strong emphasis on the teaching of skills alongside content.
The new Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences has been designed around the assumption that all students will study these four subjects at the following year levels:
In May 2022, an updated version of Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences for Years 7–10 (known as Version 9.0) was released by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).
From Term 1 2023, schools around Australia will begin to implement the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0), most according to their own state and territory timelines.
Schools in some states and territories will be required to adopt the new curriculum in its entirety, while curriculum bodies in other states and territories will adapt the new curriculum and integrate it into their existing state curricula.
Regardless of the approach taken in your state, the Australian Curriculum forms the basis of all state and territory curricula, so this change will affect many aspects of teaching and learning across Australia.
However, state and territory approaches differ, so check with the curriculum or education authority before finalising your teaching programs.
For more detailed information on the changes to Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0), visit the Australian Curriculum website (australiancurriculum.edu.au).
The structure of Version 9.0 is still three-dimensional – meaning it includes Learning areas, General capabilities and Cross-curriculum priorities as shown in the table below:
The essential knowledge, understandings and skills that students should learn in 8 learning areas.
• English
• Humanities and Social Sciences
Geography
History
Economics & Business
Civics & Citizenship
• Health and Physical Education
• Languages
• Mathematics
• Science
• Technologies
• The Arts
The knowledge, skills, behaviours and dispositions required to live and work successfully.
• Critical and creative thinking
• Digital literacy
• Ethical understanding
• Intercultural understanding
• Literacy
• Numeracy
• Personal and social capability
Priorities that reflect national, regional and global contexts.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
• Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia
• Sustainability
Overall, there is a much greater emphasis on the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
The basic structure of the Australian curriculum remains unchanged, but most of the content descriptions and achievement standards have changed
Overviews have been removed and a ‘minimum’ of two sub-strands must now be taught instead of three depth studies.
EXAMPLE: Year 7
There are two strands:
1. Strand: Knowledge and understanding
2. Strand: Skills
Students are expected to study an overview at each level followed by three depth studies (with optional topics to choose from within some depth studies).
EXAMPLE: Year 7
There are still two strands:
1. Strand: Knowledge and understanding
2. Strand: Skills
Overview Students must study an overview.
Depth study 1: Investigating the ancient past
Depth study 2: The Mediterranean world
Students must study this depth study.
Students must study this depth study and choose from: Egypt, Greece or Rome.
Depth study 3: The Asian world Students must study this depth study and choose from: India or China.
Sub-strand 1: Deep time history of Australia
Overviews have been removed.
Depth studies are now called sub-strands and there are optional topics to choose from within some sub-strands. A ‘minimum of two’ substrands need to be taught.
Students must study this sub-strand.
Sub-strand 2: The ancient world Students must study at least one topic from: Egypt, Greece, Rome, India or China.
New sub-strands and topics have also been added and others removed. For example, in History: New sub-strands have been added to Years 7 and 8
A new sub-strand in Year 10 combines content descriptions from ‘Rights and freedoms’ and ‘Migration experiences’, which are no longer separate depth studies in the curriculum.
Although there are four sub-strands to choose from in Year 9 and three in Year 10, the new Australian Curriculum mandates the following two sub-strands each year, so it’s less likely that teaching time will be available to cover optional sub-strands.
Year 9
Sub-strand Making and transforming the Australian nation (1750–1914)
Sub-strand World War I (1914–1918)
Sub-strand The Industrial Revolution and the movement of peoples (1750–1900)
Sub-strand Asia and the World (1750–1914)
Year 10
World War II
Building modern Australia
The globalising world
To date, many states and territories have not prioritised the formal teaching of Economics & Business and Civics & Citizenship at Years 7–10. Moving forward, all schools implementing the new Australian Curriculum will be expected to cover the content descriptions for these subjects at Years 7 and 8, alongside Geography and History.
The tables on the following pages provide a brief overview of the most significant content changes in Australian Curriculum Geography, History, Economics & Business and Civics & Citizenship (Version 9.0) at Years 7–10.
Only content that has been added, significantly modified or removed is listed here. Many other content descriptions have been refined or combined.
More detail on all content and assessment changes – together with scope and sequence charts, teaching programs, lesson plans, and assessment support – is available for schools implementing the Australian Curriculum with Oxford resources.
Geography
place, and how these influence their connections
Other changes across Years 7–10
• Increase in number of content descriptions and elaborations focused on First Nations Peoples
• Many content descriptions in the Skills sub-strand have been combined and/or refined across Years 7–10
Year
7
What’s been added or modified?
• Students must study Sub-strand: Deep time history of Australia AC9HH7K02–AC9HH7K06
• Students must study one topic from Sub-strand: The Ancient World Topics include: Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China
8
• Students must study one topic from Sub-strand: Medieval Europe and the early modern world
Topics include: Medieval Europe; The Renaissance; The emergence of the modern world
• Students must study one topic from either of these two sub-strands:
• Sub-strand: Empires and expansions
Topics include: Mongol Empire, Ottoman Empire, Vikings, The Spanish conquest of the Americas
• Sub-strand: The Asia-Pacific world
Topics include: Angkor/Khmer Empire; Japan under the shoguns; Polynesian expansion across the Pacific
9
10
• Students must study Sub-strand: Making and transforming the Australian Nation (1750–1914)
• Students must study Sub-strand: World War I (1914–1918)
• Both Sub-strands: The Industrial Revolution and movement of peoples and Sub-strand: Asia and the World are now optional
• Students must study Sub-strand: World War II
• Students must study Sub-strand: Building modern Australia (post-1945)
• Sub-strand: The globalising world now optional
• Two sub-strands in each of Years 9 and 10 are compulsory
• Overview
• Depth study: Investigating the ancient past
• Depth study: The Mediterranean World and Depth study: The Asian World have been combined into Sub-strand: The Ancient World
• Overview
• Depth study: The Black Death in Asia, Europe and Africa
• Overview
• Depth study: Progressive ideas and movements (1750–1918)
• Depth study: Movement of peoples (1750–1918)
• Overview
• Depth study: Rights and freedoms
• Depth study: Pop culture
• Depth study: Migration experiences
• Depth study: The environment
• Increase in number of content descriptions and elaborations focused on First Nations Peoples
• Many content descriptions in the Skills sub-strand have been combined and/or refined across Years 7–10
• ‘Empathy’ concept has been deleted
7
• Why opportunity cost exists as decisions are made to allocate limited resources to meet unlimited needs and wants AC9HE7K01
• The rights and responsibilities of individuals and businesses in relation to consumer and financial products and services AC9HE7K05
8
• How markets influence decisions about the allocation of resources to the production of goods and services, and the effect of prices on these decisions AC9HE8K01
• The importance of Australia’s system of taxation and how this system affects decision-making by individuals and businesses AC9HE8K04
• Processes individuals and/or businesses use to plan and budget to achieve short-term and long-term financial objectives AC9HE8K05
9
• The role of Australia’s financial sector and its effect on economic decision-making by individuals, businesses and global markets AC9HE9K01
• Apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts in familiar and new situations ACHES025 & ACHES036
10
• The importance of Australia’s superannuation system and how this system affects consumer and financial decision-making
AC9HE10K04
• Students must study Sub-strand: Building modern Australia
• Sub-strand: The globalising world now optional
• No significant content removed
• The changing roles and responsibilities of participants in the Australian or global workplace ACHEK042
• Apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts in familiar, new and hypothetical situations ACHES047 & ACHES059
• Reflect on the intended and unintended consequences of economic and business decisions ACHES049 & ACHES061
• Apply economics and business knowledge, skills and concepts in familiar, new and hypothetical situations ACHES047 & ACHES059
• Intended and unintended consequences of economic and business decisions ACHES049 & ACHES061
• Significant increase in number of content descriptions and elaborations focused on First Nations Peoples
• Many skills have been combined and/or refined across Years 7–10 and some have been deleted
7
• The characteristics of Australia’s democracy, including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement
AC9HC7K02
• The key features of government under the Australian Constitution with a focus on the separation of powers, the roles of the Executive, the Houses of Parliament, and the division of powers ACHCK048
• The process for constitutional change through a referendum ACHCK049
• How groups, such as religious and cultural groups, express their particular identities; and how this influences their perceptions of others and vice versa ACHCK053
• Use democratic processes to reach consensus on a course of action relating to a civics or citizenship issue and plan for that action ACHCS058 & ACHCS072
• Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australia’s democracy ACHCS060 & ACHCS074
Year
What’s
• The role of political parties and independent representatives in Australian democracy, including elections and the formation of governments
9
• The role of the Australian Constitution in providing the basis for Australia’s federal system of government and democratic processes, including institutions, and the process for constitutional change through a referendum AC9HC9K01
• Use democratic processes to reach consensus on a course of action relating to a civics or citizenship issue and plan for that action ACHCS058 & ACHCS072
10
• No significant content added
Other changes across Years 7–10
• How citizens’ political choices are shaped at election time, including the influence of the media ACHCK076
• How ideas about and experiences of Australian identity are influenced by global connectedness and mobility ACHCK081
• Recognise and consider multiple perspectives and ambiguities, and use strategies to negotiate and resolve contentious issues ACHCS086 & ACHCS099
• Use democratic processes to reach consensus on a course of action relating to a civics or citizenship issue and plan for that action ACHCS087 & ACHCS100
• Reflect on their role as a citizen in Australian, regional and global contexts ACHCS089 & ACHCS102
• Recognise and consider multiple perspectives and ambiguities, and use strategies to negotiate and resolve contentious issues ACHCS086 & ACHCS099
Moved from Year 9 Removed Moved from Year 7 Removed Removed Removed Removed Removed Removed Removed
• Significant increase in number of content descriptions and elaborations focused on First Nations Peoples
Education authorities in different states and territories around Australia will determine the timeline for the implementation of the new Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0).
Information specific to each state and territory can be found in the table. All information provided was correct at the time of printing. Please confirm your approach with the education authority in your state or territory prior to implementation.
Australian Capital Territory
• All government, independent and Catholic schools in the ACT are required to adopt the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) at Years 7–10 from Term 1, 2024.
For more information visit: ACT Education Directorate
New South Wales
• NESA is currently undertaking a review of existing curriculum in NSW. It’s likely they will incorporate some or all of the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) content as part of that review.
• All government, independent and Catholic schools in NSW will be required to implement the new NSW Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences at Years 7–10 from Term 1, 2025.
• More formal implementation timelines and additional details will be made available by NESA from the start of 2023.
For more information visit: NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
Northern Territory • All government, independent and Catholic schools in NT schools are required to adopt the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) at Years 7–10. Implementation dates are yet to be confirmed.
For more information visit: Northern Territory Board of Studies (NTBOS)
Queensland • All government, independent and Catholic schools in Queensland are free to determine their own plan for the implementation of the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) at Years 7–10 (with a few conditions). Schools can begin teaching the new curriculum at any year level from Term 1, 2023 onwards, but must have completed full implementation by the end of the 2025 school year. That is, from Term 1, 2026 all schools must be teaching Version 9.0 across Years 7–10.
For more information visit: Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA)
Tasmania • All government, independent and Catholic schools in Tasmania are required to adopt the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) at Years 7–10. Implementation dates are yet to be confirmed.
For more information visit: Department of Education Tasmania
South Australia
• All government, independent and Catholic schools in SA will be required to adopt the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) at Years 7–10. Implementation dates are yet to be confirmed.
For more information visit: South Australia Department for education and learning
Victoria • VCAA is currently undertaking a review of Victorian Curriculum. It’s likely they will incorporate some or all of the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) content as part of that review.
• Government and Catholic schools are required to continue teaching the Victorian Curriculum at Years 7–10 until further notice.
• Non-government schools may choose to adopt or adapt elements of the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) at Years 7–10 from Term 1, 2023 onwards.
For more information visit: Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA)
Western Australia
• SCSA is currently undertaking a review of Western Australian Curriculum. It’s likely they will incorporate some or all of the Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0) content as part of that review.
• All government, independent and Catholic schools are required to teach the current Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline at Years 7–10 until advised otherwise
For more information visit: School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA)
When will the Australian Curriculum (Version 9.0) be implemented in my state or territory?
Oxford’s brand new series makes Humanities and Social Sciences accessible to all students and increases engagement by giving learners opportunities to achieve success at their individual skill level.
Key features:
All content structured logically in topics to make lesson planning and delivery easier
Learning intentions clearly signposted at the start of every topic and assessed at the end
Engaging Student Book content purposewritten for the new Australian Curriculum presented in a format that’s easy for students of all abilities to navigate
Up-to-date case studies and statistics
Humanities and Social Sciences Skills
scaffolded across Years 7–10
A range of videos to engage students and support flexible teaching approaches
Questions and activities include cognitive verbs that scaffold capabilities, model critical thinking and encourage discussions Enhanced digital support with the new Oxford Digital platform – auto-marking questions and activities that help teachers to identify gaps in understanding and offer targeted support to individual students
Assessment and Curriculum reports allow teachers to track and report on the progress of every student.
Oxford Humanities and Social Sciences 7–10 Australian Curriculum is a brand-new teaching and learning resource written for the new Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences (Version 9.0).
An innovative suite of print and digital resources to guide students on a focused Humanities and Social Sciences journey and support teachers as they implement the new Australian Curriculum at Years 7–10.
The new Australian Curriculum Humanities and Social Sciences is here… and Oxford has you covered!