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Within the curriculum of each state & territory, as well as with the development of a National Curriculum, there are numerous subject [learning] areas. A number of these are considered Key/Core Subject Areas. These are common in all jurisdictions, with additional subject/learning areas also common, though with variation depending on individual state or territory emphases. The same applies to the National Curriculum process, where there is an initial development of core subject/learning areas.
While areas may be common, titles for these vary between states & territories. This is more common with areas other than English [Language], Mathematics and Science. It is even more common with sub-areas within these, especially in secondary years, where individual subjects occur more than areas, as at the Primary level.
This page provides information regarding core areas, titles by state/territory and links to listings and syllabuses for subject areas
This page will be further developed as time permits.
Other Information
Throughout Australia there are 8 nationally agreed learning areas. They are English, Mathematics, Science, the Social Sciences, The Arts, Health & Physical Education, Languages and Technology, though as seen below these may be listed by varying titles. In addition, there are perspectives which cross all learning areas. These include such aspects as Indigenous and Multicultural Perspectives.
As indicated above, subject areas become more individual in Secondary schools. In Primary schooling, you learn about Science rather than learning Chemistry, Physics or Biology. You cover the Social Sciences rather than studying History, Geography, Economics, Commerce or Business Studies separately. Many topics covered in Primary schools can be done as Integrated Units involving aspects from more than one key area. For example, a unit on culture in a particular country could include aspects taken from all key areas with work on dress, dance, games, foods, environment, data gathering, writing of reports, … .
In Secondary schools, courses begin as integrated areas but develop into individual subjects as students progress. They are also supplemented by Career and Vocational studies.
The scope and content of individual subject/learning areas expands even further in the final, senior years of Secondary school. Here there is an extended range of Vocational Education courses, while in some states there are endorsed courses which may only be available at selected schools and also separate, rather than integrated, Life Skills courses.
Within each Key/Core Subject Area are incorporated sub- topics depending on school level :
English - Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking, Viewing
Mathematics - Number, Measurement, Chance & Data, Space, Algebra, …
Science - Earth & Space, Energy, Living Things, Investigating, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, …
Social Sciences - History, Geography, Commerce, Cultures, Indigenous Studies, Environmental Studies, …
The Arts - Dance, Drama, Media, Music, Visual Arts
Health & Physical Education - Health, Drug Education, Physical Education, Sport
Languages - Core languages are Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese
Technology - Information Technology, Design & Technology, Home Economics, Agriculture, Business Education, …
A full listing of all subject areas for all school levels is provided for each state and territory in the following section. This is done through access to either frameworks or syllabus listings.
In addition, titles for the Key/Core Subject Areas are also provided in each state listing. They are provided for Primary and Secondary school levels where appropriate.
States & Territories
Australian Capital Territory
Learning Areas are titled - English, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, The Arts, Health & Physical Education, Languages and Technology. Additional areas include Values Education, Civics & Citizenship Education, Asia Education and Sport.
- Every Chance to Learn
Provides the curriculum framework and an Every Chance to Learn Brochure for parents which includes information on the core areas. - Curriculum Programs
‘Individual schools and colleges develop curriculum materials to support teaching and learning approaches that best meet the needs of the school and local community.’ - Senior Secondary Courses
Provides access to downloadable information about each in Word format.
New South Wales
Learning Areas to Year 6 are titled - English, Mathematics, Science & Technology, Human Society & Its Environment, Creative Arts, Personal Development, Health & Physical Education and Languages.
Learning Areas for Years 7-10 are the same except Science & Technology is separated into two separate entities - Science and Technological & Applied Studies. These are essentially maintained till Year 12, with the addition of separate Life Skills Courses, VET Curriculum Frameworks and VET Content Endorsed Courses
- K-6
Includes Foundation Statements, syllabuses, modules, work samples and more. - Years 7-10 Syllabuses
Alphabetical listing of all areas with syllabuses and a range of other support material including Life Skills Statements. - HSC Syllabuses
Alphabetical listing of all core area subjects, Endorsed Courses, VET, VET Content Endorsed Courses and Life Skills. Includes changes being implemented in 2010.
Northern Territory
Key Learning Areas are titled - English, Mathematics, Science, Studies of Society & Environment, Arts, Health & Physical Education, Languages and Technology & Design. One additional area is Indigenous Languages & Culture.
- NT Curriculum Framework
PDF downloads are available for both areas and sections of these. - NT Certificate of Education and Training
Use this site for information re courses and the link to SACE South Australia on which it is based.
Queensland
Key Learning Areas to Year 9 are titled - English, Mathematics, Science, Studies of Society & Environment, The Arts, Health & Physical Education, Languages Other Than English [LOTE] and Technology.
In Senior Years they are titled - English, Mathematics, Science, Social & Environmental Studies, Business & Commerce, Arts, Health & Physical Education, Languages and Technologies.
- Years 1-9
Essential Learning by Key Learning Area plus additional information. - Year 10
‘The Year 10 Guidelines provide information and advice for planning and delivery of challenging and engaging courses in a range of school settings and for different groups of students. Download in PDF or Word formats.’ - Years 11-12
Includes subject list plus key area information and syllabuses.
South Australia
Key Learning Areas are titled - English, Mathematics, Science, Society & Environment, Arts, Health & Physical Education, Languages and Design & Technology. There is also Enterprise and Vocational Education, ICT, Thinking, Communication, Identity and Interdependence.
- Learning Areas
Detailed information from SACSA. Each key area is broken into Early, Primary, Middle and Senior Years. You can also access cross-curriculum perspectives and Enterprise and Vocational Education information. - SACE Subjects
Senior Secondary. ‘Access draft subject outlines, subject summaries and other information relevant to the subject by following the links.’
Tasmania
Learning Areas are titled - English [Literacy] incuding LOTE, Mathematics [Numeracy], Science, Society & History, The Arts, Health & Wellbeing, Vocational & Applied Learning, ICT, Thinking.
- Tasmanian Curriculum
Click on any learning area to access syllabus and other materials. - Senior Secondary Courses
‘This is the official register of senior secondary courses currently accredited by the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority.’ Listed alphabetically. PDF downloads.
Victoria
Learning areas are grouped into strands titled Physical, Personal and Social Learning, Discipline-Based Learning and Interdisciplinary Learning. They include English, Mathematics, Science, The Humanities, The Arts, Health & Physical Education, Languages Other Than English and Design, Creativity & Technology. Additional domains include - Interpersonal Development, Personal Learning, Civics & Citizenship, Communication, ICT and Thinking Processes.
- Domains
‘The domain homepages provide background information on the domain, information about the domain structure’ and more. Grouped in 3 major areas. - VCE Studies
Alphabetical listing of all courses. Clicking on each leads to a PDF download of areas of study, or a Word format Study Summary plus other information. Use the VET link [main menu] for further information in this area.
Western Australia
Learning Areas are titled - English, Mathematics, Science, Society & Environment, The Arts, Health & Physical Education, Languages Other Than English and Technology & Enterprise.
- K-10 Syllabus
Provides Learning Areas, syllabuses and sub-topics for each. The provision ranges from Early Learning to Year 10. - Senior Secondary
Access a full listing of courses or download A Brief Summary of Each Course here.