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Why do we have an Australian Curriculum?


Overview

The Australian Curriculum sets out the essential knowledge, understanding and skills students need to learn, and the quality of learning that is expected of the students as they progress through the first 11 years of schooling.

 

The Australian Curriculum is designed to prepare young people for the future world in which they will learn, and prepares them to respond to the challenges that will continue to shape their world. It sets out the priorities and aspirations we hold for all our young people. The curriculum represents what the Australian community values as the knowledge, understanding and skills that young people should attain.

The Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration (December 2019) commits all Australian governments to achieving 2 goals: 

  • The Australian education system promotes excellence and equity. 
  • All young Australians become confident and creative individuals, successful lifelong learners, and active and informed members of the community. 

The delivery of a world-class curriculum in Australian schools is one of the actions to achieve these goals. 

 

The primary audience for the Australian Curriculum is teachers. It is written in plain and concise language using the vocabulary appropriate for professional practitioners of each learning area.

 

The F–10 Australian Curriculum is implemented in schools according to the timelines and approaches determined by their state and territory education and curriculum authorities.

History of the  Australian Curriculum

There are a range of materials available that explain the initial development and evolution of the Australian Curriculum. In 2009, the council of Commonwealth and state and territory education ministers approved The Shape of the Australian Curriculum document, which guided the development of the Australian Curriculum and has continued to be updated with each development.


The review of the Australian Curriculum undertaken in 2020–21 has led to the development of the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0.


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