Humanities and Social Sciences

By the end of Foundation, students identify significant people and events in their own lives, and how significant events are celebrated or commemorated. Students recognise the features of familiar places, why some places are special to people and the ways they can care for them. Students pose questions, and sort and record information from observations and provided sources. They share a perspective and draw conclusions. Students use sources and terms to share observations about places and the past.

By the end of Year 1, students identify continuity and change in family structures, roles and significant aspects of daily life. They identify the location and nature of the natural, managed and constructed features of local places, the ways places change, and how they can be cared for by people. Students develop questions and collect, sort and record information and data from observations and provided sources. They interpret information and discuss perspectives. Students draw conclusions and make proposals. Students share narratives and observations about people, places and the past, drawing on sources and incorporating subject-specific terms.

By the end of Year 2, students identify the significance of a local person, group, place and/or building. They identify the effects of changes in technologies on people’s lives. Students identify that places can be spatially represented in different geographical divisions. They identify how people and places are interconnected both at local and broader scales. Students develop questions, and collect, sort and record related information and data from observations and provided sources. They interpret information and data, and identify and discuss perspectives. Students use interpretations to draw conclusions and make proposals. Students use sources, and subject-specific terms to present narratives and observations about the past, people and places at different scales.

By the end of Year 3, students describe the causes, effects and contributions of people to change. They identify the significance of events, symbols and emblems to Australia’s identity and diversity. They describe the representation of places within and near Australia. They identify the similarities, differences and connections of people to places across those scales. Students describe the importance of rules and people’s contributions to communities. Students develop questions and locate, collect and record information and data from different sources. They interpret information and data in different formats. They analyse information and data to identify perspectives and they draw conclusions. They propose actions or responses. Students use ideas from sources, and subject-specific terms to present descriptions and explanations.

By the end of Year 4, students describe the diversity of experiences of people in Australia prior to and following 1788. They describe the events and causes of the establishment of the first British colony in Australia. They describe the effects of colonisation on people and environments. Students describe the importance of environments, and sustainable allocation and management of resources. They describe the importance and role of local government, community members and laws, and the cultural and social factors that shape identity. Students develop questions and locate, collect and record information and data from a range of sources and formats. They interpret and analyse information and data to identify perspectives, and draw conclusions. Students propose considered actions or responses. Students use ideas from sources and relevant subject-specific terms to present descriptions and explanations.

By the end of Year 5, students explain the causes for the establishment of the British colonies in Australia after 1800. They explain the roles of significant individuals or groups in the development of an Australian colony and the impact of those developments. They explain the influence of people on the characteristics of places and in the management of spaces. Students explain the key values and features of Australia’s democracy and how people achieve civic goals. They explain the nature of resources, and how they meet needs and wants. Students develop questions and locate, collect and organise information and data from primary and secondary sources. They evaluate sources to determine origin and perspectives. Students evaluate information and data to identify and describe patterns or trends. They suggest conclusions based on evidence. Students consider criteria in proposing actions or responses. Students select ideas and findings from sources and use relevant terms and conventions, to present descriptions and explanations.

By the end of Year 6, students explain the roles of significant people, events and ideas that led to Australian Federation, democracy and citizenship. They explain the causes and effects of migration to Australia since Federation. They explain the geographical diversity of places and the effects of interconnections with other countries. Students explain the key institutions, roles and responsibilities of Australia’s levels of government, and democratic values and beliefs. They explain influences on consumers and strategies for informed consumer and financial choices. Students develop questions, and locate, collect and organise information and data from a range of primary and secondary sources. They evaluate sources to determine origin, purpose and perspectives. Students evaluate a range of information and data formats to identify and describe patterns, trends or inferred relationships. They evaluate evidence to draw conclusions. Students propose actions or responses and use criteria to assess the possible effects. Students select and organise ideas and findings from sources, and use a range of relevant terms and conventions, to present descriptions and explanations.

By the end of Year 7, students describe the key features of Australia's system of government, and the principles and features of the Australian legal system. They explain the characteristics of Australian democracy. Students describe the nature of Australian society, its cultural and religious diversity, and identify the values that support cohesion in Australian society. Students develop questions and locate, select and organise information from sources to investigate political and legal systems, and contemporary civic issues. They analyse information and identify perspectives and challenges related to political, legal or civic issues. They identify and describe the methods or strategies related to civic participation or action. Students use civics and citizenship concepts, terms and sources to create descriptions, explanations and arguments.

By the end of Year 7, students describe how decisions are made to allocate limited resources to individuals and communities in an economy. They describe the reasons businesses exist and types of businesses, and identify how entrepreneurial characteristics contribute to the success of a business. They describe the reasons individuals choose to work, how they may derive an income and the types of work that exist. Students identify the rights and responsibilities of individuals and businesses in terms of products and services. Students develop questions to investigate an economic and business issue. They locate, select and organise data and information from sources. They interpret information and data to identify economic and business issues, trends or effects. They develop a response and identify potential costs and benefits. Students use economic and business knowledge, concepts, terms and sources to create descriptions and explanations.

By the end of Year 7, students describe how the characteristics of places are perceived and valued differently by people. They describe the importance of environments to people. They describe the features of a distribution. They explain the interconnections between people and places and environments, and describe how these interconnections change places or environments. Students describe a response or strategy to address a geographical challenge or phenomenon. Students develop questions about a geographical phenomenon or challenge. They collect, organise and represent relevant data and information, using primary research methods and secondary research materials. They identify similarities and differences, and describe patterns in data and information. They draw conclusions about the impact of the geographical phenomenon or challenge on people, places and environments. They develop a strategy for action. Students use geographical knowledge, concepts, terms and relevant findings from sources to create descriptions, explanations and responses.

By the end of Year 7, students describe the historical significance of the ancient past and the histories of early First Nations Peoples of Australia. They identify the causes and effects of events, developments and achievements connected to groups and individuals in Australia and other societies from the ancient past. Students describe the social, religious, cultural, economic, environmental and/or political aspects related to changes and continuities in these societies. They identify the roles and achievements of significant individuals and groups, and the influences on the development of ancient societies. Students explain the importance of heritage sites connected to Australia and other societies from the ancient past. Students develop questions about the past. They locate and identify primary and secondary sources as evidence in historical inquiry. They describe the origin, content, context and purpose of primary and secondary sources. Students identify the accuracy and usefulness of sources as evidence. They sequence events and developments to describe causes and effects, and continuities and changes across societies and periods of time. They describe the perspectives, attitudes and values of the past in sources. They identify and describe historical interpretations about significant events and people. Students use historical knowledge, concepts, terms and evidence from sources to create descriptions, explanations and historical arguments.

By the end of Year 8, students explain how Australians are informed about and participate in their democracy. They describe the roles of political parties and elected representatives in Australian government. They explain the characteristics of laws, how laws are made and the types of law in Australia. Students identify ways in which Australians express different aspects of their identity and explain perspectives on Australia’s national identity. Students develop questions and locate, select and organise relevant information from different sources to investigate political and legal systems, and contemporary civic issues. They analyse information and identify and describe perspectives and challenges related to political, legal or civic issues. They explain the methods or strategies related to civic participation or action. Students use civics and citizenship knowledge, concepts, terms and references to evidence from sources to create descriptions, explanations and arguments.

By the end of Year 8, students explain how markets influence the allocation of resources to the production of goods and services. They explain ways that businesses adapt to opportunities in markets and respond to the work environment. They describe the importance of Australia’s taxation system and its effect on decision-making by individuals and businesses. Students explain why individuals and/or businesses budget and plan. Students develop a range of questions to investigate an economic and business issue. They locate, select and organise relevant information and data. They interpret information and data to identify economic and business issues and trends, and describe economic cause-and-effect relationships. They develop a response to an economic and business issue. They identify and evaluate potential costs and benefits. Students use economics and business knowledge, concepts, terms and research findings to create descriptions and explanations.

By the end of Year 8, students explain how the interactions of people and environmental processes impact on the characteristics of places. They explain how the characteristics of places are perceived and valued differently by people. They describe the effects of human activity or hazards on environments. They explain the features of a distribution and identify implications. They explain the interconnections between people and places and environments. They explain how these interconnections change places or environments. Students explain responses or strategies to address a geographical phenomenon or challenge, referring to environmental, economic or social factors. Students develop relevant questions about a geographical phenomenon or challenge. They collect, organise and represent relevant and reliable data and information using primary research methods and secondary research materials. They interpret and analyse data and information to explain patterns and trends and infer relationships. They draw reasoned conclusions about the impact of the geographical phenomenon or challenge. They decide on appropriate strategies for action and explain potential impacts. Students use geographical knowledge, methods, concepts, terms and reference findings from sources to create descriptions, explanations and responses.

By the end of Year 8, students describe the historical significance of the periods between the ancient and modern past. They explain the causes and effects of events, developments, turning points or challenges in Medieval, Renaissance or pre-modern Europe, or in the societies connected to the empires or expansions, or the societies of the Asia-Pacific world during these periods. They describe the social, religious, cultural, economic, environmental and/or political aspects related to the changes and continuities in a society or a historical period. Students describe the role of significant individuals, groups and institutions connected to the societies of these periods and their influences on historical events. Students develop questions about the past to inform historical inquiry. They locate and identify a range of primary and secondary sources as evidence in historical inquiry. They describe the origin, content and context of sources and explain the purpose of primary and secondary sources. Students compare sources to explain the accuracy, usefulness and reliability of sources as evidence. They sequence events and developments to explain causes and effects, and patterns of continuity and change across societies and time periods. They describe perspectives, attitudes and values of the past, and suggest reasons for different points of view. They explain historical interpretations about significant events and people. Students use historical knowledge, concepts, terms and references to evidence from sources to create descriptions, explanations and historical arguments.

By the end of Year 9, students analyse the role of the Australian Constitution, the federal system of government, and the process and reasons for constitutional change. They explain policy development and legislative processes in Australia’s democracy. Students identify the key features and jurisdictions of Australia’s court system and explain the role and processes of courts and tribunals. Students identify the reasons individuals and groups participate in and contribute to civic life nationally and globally. They explain the influence of the media on reflections of identity and diversity. Students develop a range of questions and locate, select and compare information from sources to investigate political and legal systems, and contemporary civic issues. They analyse information to explain perspectives and challenges related to political, legal or civic issues. Students identify and evaluate the methods or strategies related to civic participation or action. Students use civics and citizenship knowledge, concepts and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and evidence-based arguments.

By the end of Year 9, students explain the role of Australia’s financial sector and its effect on economic decision-making by individuals and businesses. They explain the interdependence of participants in the global market and the effect on economic decision-making. They explain the reasons for trade and Australia’s pattern of trade with Asia. They explain why businesses seek to create and maintain a competitive advantage. Students explain how individuals and businesses manage consumer and financial risks and rewards. Students develop and modify questions to investigate an economic and business issue. They locate, select and analyse information and data from a range of sources. They interpret and analyse information and data to explain economic trends and cause-and-effect relationships, and identify consumer and financial impacts. They develop a response to an economic and business issue, taking account of economic, business or financial factors. They evaluate a response using criteria and make decisions about how it is to be implemented. Students use economic and business knowledge, concepts and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and arguments that acknowledge research findings.

By the end of Year 9, students explain how peoples’ activities or environmental processes change the characteristics of places. They explain the effects of human activity on environments, and the effects of environments on human activity. They explain the features of biomes’ distribution and identify implications for environments. They analyse the interconnections between people and places and environments. They identify and explain how these interconnections influence people, and change places and environments. Students analyse strategies to address a geographical phenomenon or challenge using environmental, social or economic criteria. Students develop a range of questions about a geographical phenomenon or challenge. They collect, represent and compare relevant and reliable geographical data and information by using a range of primary research methods and secondary research materials in a range of formats. They interpret and analyse data and information to explain patterns and trends and infer relationships. They draw evidence-based conclusions about the impact of the geographical phenomenon or challenge. They develop and evaluate strategies, predict impacts and make a recommendation. Students use geographical knowledge, concepts, terms and digital tools as appropriate to develop descriptions, explanations and responses that acknowledge research findings.

By the end of Year 9, students explain the historical significance of the period of the early modern world up to 1918. They explain the causes and effects of events, developments, turning points or movements globally, in Australia, and in relation to the First World War or in an Asian context. They describe the social, cultural, economic and/or political aspects related to the changes and continuities in a society or a historical period. Students explain the role of significant ideas, individuals, groups and institutions connected to the developments of this period and their influences on the historical events. Students develop and modify questions about the past to inform historical inquiry. They locate, select and compare primary and secondary sources, and use information in sources as evidence in historical inquiry. They explain the origin, content, context and purpose of primary and secondary sources. Students compare sources to determine the accuracy, usefulness and reliability of sources as evidence.  They explain causes and effects, and patterns of continuity and change connected to a period, event or movement. Students compare perspectives of significant events and developments, and explain the factors that influence these perspectives. They analyse different and contested historical interpretations. Students use historical knowledge, concepts and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and historical arguments that acknowledge evidence from sources.

By the end of Year 10, students compare the key features and values of Australia’s system of government to those of another system of government. They describe the Australian Government’s role and responsibilities at a regional and global level. They explain the role of the High Court of Australia. They explain how Australia’s international legal obligations influence the law and government policy. They identify and explain challenges to a resilient democracy and a cohesive society in Australia. Students develop and refine a range of questions and locate, select and compare relevant and reliable information from a range of sources to investigate political and legal systems, and contemporary civic issues. They analyse information to evaluate perspectives and challenges related political, legal or civic issues. They evaluate and compare the methods or strategies related to civic participation or action. Students use civics and citizenship knowledge, concepts and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and arguments that synthesise evidence from sources.

By the end of Year 10, students analyse how economic indicators influence Australian Government decision-making. They explain ways that government intervenes to improve economic performance and living standards. They explain processes that businesses use to manage the workforce and improve productivity. They explain the importance of Australia’s superannuation system and its effect on consumer and financial decision-making. Students analyse factors that influence major consumer and financial decisions, and explain the short- and long-term effects of these decisions. Students develop and modify a range of questions to investigate an economic and business issue. They locate, select and analyse relevant and reliable information and data from a range of sources. They interpret and analyse information and data to evaluate trends and economic cause-and-effect relationships and make predictions about consumer and financial impacts. They develop an evidence-based response to an economic and business issue. They evaluate a response, using appropriate criteria to decide on a course of action. Students use economic and business knowledge, concepts and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and reasoned arguments that synthesise research findings.

By the end of Year 10, students explain how the interactions of people and environmental processes at different scales change the characteristics of places. They explain the effects of human activity on environments, and the effect of environments on human activity, over time. They evaluate the implications of a distribution. They evaluate the extent of interconnections occurring between people and places and environments. They analyse changes that result from these interconnections and their consequences. Students evaluate strategies to address a geographical phenomenon or challenge using environmental, social and economic criteria. Students develop a range of relevant questions about a geographical phenomenon or challenge. They collect, represent and compare relevant and reliable geographical data and information by using a range of primary research methods and secondary research materials, using appropriate formats. They interpret and analyse data and information to make generalisations and predictions, explain significant patterns and trends, and infer relationships. They draw evidence-based conclusions, based on relevant data and information, about the impact of the geographical phenomenon or challenge. They develop and evaluate strategies using criteria, recommend a strategy and explain the predicted impacts. Students use geographical knowledge, concepts, terms and digital tools as appropriate to develop descriptions, explanations and responses that synthesise research findings.

By the end of Year 10, students explain the historical significance of the period between 1918 and the early 21st century. They explain the causes and effects of events, developments, turning points or movements in 20th century Australia and internationally, leading up to and through the Second World War, and the post-war world. They describe social, cultural, economic and/or political aspects, including international developments, related to the changes and continuities in Australian society over this historical period. Students explain the role of significant ideas, individuals, groups and institutions connected to the developments of this period and their influences on Australian and global history. Students develop and modify a range of questions about the past to inform historical inquiry. They locate, select and compare a range of primary and secondary sources and synthesise the information in sources to use as evidence in historical inquiry. They analyse the origin, content, context and purpose of primary and secondary sources. Students evaluate the accuracy, usefulness and reliability of sources as evidence. They sequence events and developments to analyse cause and effect, and patterns of continuity and change, connected to a period, event or movement. They evaluate perspectives of significant events and developments, and explain the important factors that influence these perspectives. They compare and evaluate different and contested historical interpretations. Students use historical knowledge, concepts and terms to develop descriptions, explanations and historical arguments that synthesise evidence from sources.