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11–12Aboriginal Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2026)

Record of changes
Implementation from 2028
Expand for detailed implementation advice
OverviewRationaleAimOutcomesContentAssessmentGlossaryTeaching and learning support

Assessment

HSC examinations

The external HSC examination measures student achievement in a range of syllabus outcomes.

The external examination and its marking relate to the syllabus by:

  • providing clear links to syllabus outcomes
  • enabling students to demonstrate the levels of achievement outlined in the Performance Band Descriptions
  • applying marking guidelines based on criteria that relate to the quality of the response
  • aligning performance in the examination each year to the standards established for the course.

Examination questions may require students to integrate knowledge, understanding and skills developed through studying the course.

The Year 11 course is assumed knowledge for the Year 12 course.

Some students with disability may be eligible for HSC exam provisions when completing the HSC examination.

Aboriginal Studies HSC examination specifications

Stage 6 - Year 12

The examination will consist of a written paper worth 100 marks.

Time allowed: 3 hours plus 10 minutes reading time.

The paper will consist of four sections.

Questions may include stimulus material.

Section I (25 marks)

  • There will be objective-response and short-answer questions from the focus area Human Rights 1960 to present.
  • There will be five objective-response questions to the value of 5 marks.
  • There will be three or four short-answer questions to the value of 20 marks.

Section II (30 marks)

  • There will be one question for each of the six options from the focus area Social justice 1960 to present: comparative study.
  • Each question will be worth 15 marks.
  • Each question may contain two or three parts, or may require a single, extended response.
  • Students will be required to answer two questions, one for each area they have studied.

Section III (20 marks)

  • There will be one question based on the focus area Aboriginal Community engagement research project.
  • The question will consist of two or three parts, with the last part worth at least 10 marks.

Section IV (25 marks)

  • There will be two questions for each of the options from the focus area Aboriginal Peoples’ connections to land, water and sky Country 1960 to present.
  • For each option, one question will be worth 10 marks and one will be worth 15 marks.
  • Students will be required to answer the two questions on the option they have studied.

Further information

Stage 6 - Year 12