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NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority

11–12Health and Movement Science 11–12 Syllabus

Record of changes
Implementation from 2025
Expand for detailed implementation advice

Content

Year 12

Health in an Australian and global context
How healthy are Australians?

Students do not need to know the latest statistics on the rates of illness and death. It is only important that they develop an understanding of the trends.

  • Analyse the current health status of Australians from Australia’s Health and other health reports, tables and graphs

    Including:
    • what does the data tell us?
    • what are the major causes of morbidity and mortality, and the life expectancy for males, females and the general population?
    • what are the sociological causes of risky health behaviours?
    • where do inequities exist and what can we do about them?
  • Analyse groups experiencing inequities in health, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and one other group (socioeconomically disadvantaged people, rural and remote, culturally and linguistically diverse populations, people with disability or older people)

    Including:
    • what does the data tell us?
    • how do the determinants interact to affect the health of population groups?
    • what are some of the causes that underpin the inequities in health?
    • what actions can be implemented to improve the health status of these groups?
  • Compare the health status of Australia with that of other OECD countries

    Including:
    • where does Australia rank in relation to other OECD countries?
    • why might this be the case?
    • why do some countries rank higher or lower than Australia?
    • what can we learn from other countries that may be applied to the Australian context?
  • Examine chronic conditions, diseases and injury in Australia, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and ONE other condition, disease and injury using Australia’s Health and other health reports

    Including:
    • what does the data tell us about the mortality and morbidity, prevalence and incidence rates of these conditions?
    • what are the risk and protective factors for these conditions?
    • where and for whom are these conditions changing?
  • Investigate the impact of an ageing population on Australia’s health

    Including:
    • what does the data tell us?
    • what is healthy ageing?
    • what are the opportunities and challenges for an ageing population?
    • what are current and future strategies to support healthy ageing?
    • what do government and non-government agencies need to consider to address the future needs of a growing and ageing population?
How does Australia’s healthcare system work towards achieving better health for all Australians?
  • Assess the effectiveness of the healthcare system in Australia

    Including:
    • the role of the healthcare system
    • equity of access to the healthcare system
    • future opportunities for the healthcare system
  • Explain how government and non-government organisations share responsibility for the health system

    Including:
    • federal, state and territory and local government
    • non-government sector – private and not-for-profit
  • Outline how government and non-government organisations collaborate to provide person-centred healthcare

  • Discuss health expenditure and its impact on current and future populations

    Including:
    • healthcare versus prevention
    • sustainability, access and equity
    • Medicare, private health insurance and related Commonwealth-funded programs
  • Explain complementary healthcare approaches

    Including:
    • products and services available
    • as a preventative measure
    • treating the health issue
    • as a supplement to other medical treatments
  • Explain the importance of being a critical health consumer

    Including:
    • how do you know whom to believe?
    • what do you need to know to make informed decisions?
    • how do you assess the accuracy and credibility of health information, products and services?
  • Investigate the current and emerging changes and challenges to the healthcare system

How is the growing and changing use of technology and data impacting Australia’s healthcare system?
  • Discuss the relationship between technology and health

  • Investigate new technologies and treatments in the healthcare system

  • Evaluate the impact of digital health on the healthcare system

    Including:
    • what is digital heath?
    • what services exist?
    • to what extent has digital health been successful in connecting health information?
    • what challenges and opportunities does digital health provide for individuals and organisations?
  • Examine how big data is shaping the health of Australians

    Including:
    • how is it being used?
    • how is it reducing healthcare spending?
    • how is it being used to cure and manage diseases?
    • what measures need to be taken to ensure privacy and confidentiality of personal information?
What actions are needed to promote and improve the health of Australians?
  • Describe the key features of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

    Including:
    • SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
    • SDG 4: Quality Education
    • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
    • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Evaluate the application of SDGs 3, 4, 10 and 11 to inform strategies to improve the health status of a community

    Including:
    • how have these goals been applied in other communities?
    • what lessons can be drawn from other communities and applied to their own community context?
    • what are the major health issues for a community?
    • what strategies are needed to advocate and improve a community’s health status?
    • how do you know these strategies may be effective?
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