7–10Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus (2024)

The Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus includes 4 elective courses:

• Aboriginal Studies 200-hour elective
• Aboriginal Studies 100-hour elective
• Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 200-hour elective
• Aboriginal Studies Life Skills 100-hour elective.

The Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus enables students to develop knowledge, understanding and skills to engage in respectful and reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal Peoples and Communities through ethical research and Community engagement Practices.

Students develop the ability to apply Cultural protocols as they are guided in their learning of the oldest living, continuous Cultures in the world. Students develop ethical and empathetic understanding that support students' personal, social, cultural, academic and professional development.

Students learn about the diversity of Aboriginal Peoples, and the importance of Country/Place, Community and spirituality to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. They are supported in their learning of historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal Peoples, the importance of self-determination and autonomy, ethical research skills, Community consultation and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols.

Students develop an understanding and respect for the Knowledges and Practices of Aboriginal Peoples as the oldest living, continuous Cultures in the world. They develop respectful, inclusive and reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal Peoples and Communities through ethical research and Community engagement Practices.

Students develop values and attributes based on empathy and understanding supporting them to become active and informed advocates for a just and inclusive world.

Safety and risk management

Schools are required to ensure they follow Loading  in delivering the Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Syllabus.

Aboriginal Studies 7–10 may be studied as a 100-hour or a 200-hour course. The content available for Stage 4 is identical to Stage 5. When teaching the course in Stage 4, the Stage 5 outcomes may be adjusted as appropriate to the needs of students in Years 7 and 8. Loading .

100-hour elective course requirements

Students are required to undertake:

• 2 core focus areas
• 2 options.

200-hour elective course requirements

Students are required to undertake:

• 4 core focus areas
• 4 options.

Across a 100-hour course or 200-hour course, students may study only ONE School-developed option.

Focus areas – core

The 100-hour and 200-hour courses should start with a core study.

In the first 100 hours (Year 9), it is recommended that students undertake:

• Aboriginal identities
• Aboriginal self-determination and autonomy.

In the consecutive 100 hours (Year 10), it is recommended that students undertake:

• Aboriginal enterprises and organisations
• Aboriginal Peoples and oral and written expression.

For Aboriginal Studies Life Skills:

• Students are required to demonstrate achievement of one or more Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Life Skills outcomes.
• Outcomes and content should be selected to meet the particular needs of individual students.
• The focus areas provide possible frameworks for addressing the Aboriginal Studies 7–10 Life Skills outcomes and content and are suggestions only. Teachers have the flexibility to select, group and sequence outcomes and content to meet the needs, strengths, goals, interests and prior learning of their students.