Each general capability has an introduction that provides a description of the capability and a rationale for its inclusion in the Australian Curriculum.
Each general capability is presented as either a learning continuum or a learning progression and is structured around elements and sub-elements.
A learning continuum has been developed for 5 of the 7 general capabilities, and describes the knowledge, skills and behaviours that students can reasonably be expected to develop from Foundation to Year 10. The continua map common paths for the development of knowledge, skills and behaviours in each of the elements and sub-elements across 6 levels for Critical and Creative Thinking, Digital Literacy, Personal and Social capability, Ethical Understanding and Intercultural Understanding.
For Literacy and Numeracy, more detailed learning progressions have been developed to describe the learning pathway(s) along which students typically progress regardless of age or year level. The National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions describe the skills, understandings and capabilities students typically acquire as their proficiency increases in a particular aspect of the curriculum over time, and help teachers ascertain the stage of learning reached, identify any gaps in skills and knowledge, and plan for the next step to progress learning.