Australian Curriculum implementation
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128, 8 November 2023, page no.4
In 2021, the Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA) undertook an extensive review of the Australian Curriculum (AC). This resulted in the finalisation of Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum (V9AC) in 2022 and the nation’s education ministers agreeing to implementation across the states and territories.
Through QTU advocacy, the familiarisation and implementation plan in Queensland has been extended to allow schools more time to familiarise and plan for the changes to curriculum.
As such, those schools that might require more time to complete their transition have until the start of the 2025 school year before starting their V9AC roll-out. This extension applies to all schools that require the additional time, including special schools. High school implementation differs to that for primary and special schools, and is outlined below.
Many schools have already started the curriculum change process and are ready to implement the required/chosen subject areas in 2024, and they are free to do so. However, if a school has not finalised the transition, the QTU would encourage them not to rush the process and use the additional time to reduce the workload impacts of the roll-out. It is important that schools use their local consultative committee (LCC) process to review any workload matters involved in managing V9AC familiarisation and implementation. This allows for the change to be managed in a way that is consistent with the workload provisions within the certified agreement.
The Department of Education’s (DoE) schedule for implementation outlining the timelines for the resources is available on the curriculum hub. This schedule includes planning templates for all learning areas, guides for realigning current units to V9AC, designing of assessment and GTMJs etc. The table below reflects that some schools might begin implementation in 2024 and others in 2025.
The QTU continues to advocate for centrally funded resources and support to be provided to schools to undertake this work.
Lin Esders
Officer - Professional Issues