11–12Legal Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2025)
The new Legal Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2027 and will replace the Legal Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2009).
2026
- Plan and prepare to teach the new syllabus
2027, Term 1
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 11
- Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
- Continue to teach the Legal Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2009) for Year 12
2027, Term 4
- Start teaching the new syllabus for Year 12
- Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements
2028
- First HSC examination for the new syllabus
Content
Year 11
The Loading is to be integrated as appropriate.
In this focus area, students examine TWO case studies of groups that have experience with the law, young people and ONE other group that must be selected from:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples
- asylum seekers, refugees or migrants
- LGBTQIA+ people
- older people
- people experiencing climate injustice
- people experiencing economic disadvantage
- people experiencing issues of equity, discrimination or power imbalance
- people living in rural, regional or remote Australia
- people who are culturally and linguistically diverse
- people with disability
- people with a mental health condition.
Students examine the ways the legal system interacts with young people and the extent to which justice is achieved.
The need for protection under the law
Reasons for encountering the legal system
Issues arising from contact with the law, including evolving capacity, the age of criminal responsibility and recidivism
Protection under domestic and international law
Authorities that advocate for the rights of young people
Contact with legal processes, including police and the Children’s Court
Alternative approaches to justice, including justice reinvestment, diversionary programs and Culturally inclusive processes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
The role of non-government organisations that represent the interests of young people
Indicators of success in achieving justice
Barriers to achieving justice