Curriculum to Year 10 in New South Wales
The majority of New South Wales (NSW) primary schools follow a continuum that is based on stages of learning:
- Early Stage 1: Kindergarten
- Stage 1: Years 1 and 2
- Stage 2: Years 3 and 4
- Stage 3: Years 5 and 6
Learning in Kindergarten to Year 6 in NSW focuses on six Key Learning Areas (KLAs) – English, Mathematics, Science (including Science and Technology), Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE), and Creative Arts.
The majority of NSW secondary schools follow a continuum that is based on stages of learning:
- Stage 4: Years 7 and 8
- Stage 5: Years 9 and 10
- Stage 6: Years 11 (Preliminary) and 12 (HSC)
Students in Years 7 to 10 are required to study English, Mathematics, Science, HSIE (including History and Geography), and PDHPE in each of Years 7 to 10. Students are also required to complete a specified number of hours of study in Creative Arts (Visual Arts and Music), Technology Education and Languages.
The NSW curriculum is delivered by schools teaching the NSW syllabuses. View the Kindergarten to Year 10 NSW syllabuses on the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES) website.
Senior secondary subjects and courses in New South Wales
Years 11 (Preliminary) and 12 (Higher School Certificate or ‘HSC’) form the sixth and final stage of learning in NSW and are when a student may achieve their HSC or RoSA.
In NSW a subject is an area of study that may have several different courses (eg the subject ‘Japanese’ has five courses: Beginners, Continuers, Extension, Heritage and Background Speakers). The two main types of Year 11 (Preliminary) and Year 12 (HSC) courses studied are Board Developed Courses and Board Endorsed Courses. Life Skills courses are available to meet the diversity of learners.
View the Senior Years (11 and 12) course syllabuses studied for the Higher School Certificate on the BOSTES website.
Vocational Education and Training in NSW
NSW students have the option of studying vocational education and training (VET) courses at school, TAFE NSW or other registered training organisations (RTOs). NSW VET courses must meet national standards under the VET Quality Framework.
Visit the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES) website for more information about VET Curriculum Frameworks, as well as VET Board Endorsed Courses.
