Consent in the Australian Curriculum

The Version 9.0 Australian Curriculum marks the introduction of an updated curriculum across Australia with a particular focus on consent.

ACARA is at the centre of Australian curriculum development, being the statutory body responsible for developing the Australian Curriculum. The national curriculum is reviewed every 6 years. 

The Australian Curriculum underwent a review in 2020–2021.

 “This gave us a chance to look at research and reflect on community expectations,” ACARA’s Director of Curriculum, Sharon Foster, said.

“This review was the first time we’ve had an open public consultation, so we’ve heard from a large number of community groups and organisations in addition to education professionals.”

One of the major developments for the Australian Curriculum, Version 9.0 is the strengthening of the explicit teaching of consent and respectful relationships.

“In the current Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum, we have a focus titled Relationships and sexuality,” Ms Foster said.

“The revisions we’ve gone through enhance the curriculum content and make it more explicit, so teachers are very clear on what needs to be taught.

“The review process allowed ACARA to update and strengthen the content and guidance related to the teaching of consent.”

The teaching of the skills and understandings required for respectfully giving and gaining consent is addressed in the Personal, social and community health strand through the focus areas Relationships and sexuality and Safety, explored in age-appropriate ways across the school years from Foundation to Year 10.

For example, in the early years children may learn about mutual consent, such as exploring how to seek, give or deny permission when sharing possessions and personal space through play.  

“It’s important to place the issue of consent within the context of respectful relationships, so we start teaching students about consent in Health and Physical Education right from the first year of schooling. This is core learning for all students.” Ms Foster said.

“It is about educating the whole child and understanding personal, social and community health.”