The recent release of the new draft Australian Curriculum has received considerable media coverage. We thought it may be beneficial for parents and carers to understand the relationship between the Australian and NSW Curriculum, the bodies that develop them and their respective reviews.   

Sometimes the words "syllabus" and " curriculum" are used to describe the same thing. A "syllabus" is what could be taught in each learning area while "curriculum" is the big picture describing everything that is taught in schools. In NSW, exams and assements are based on the course syllabus rather than the curriculum.

A student attending school in NSW will be educated in accordance with the NSW Curriculum, which draws from and is informed by the Australian Curriculum. 

Both the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) are independent statutory authorities. Each has a specific remit in respect of the education of children and young people.

From 2010, NSW joined with the Australian Government and all other states and territories to develop an Australian Curriculum. ACARA has responsibility for developing the Australian Curriculum.  

Implementation of the Australian Curriculum is the responsibility of states and territories.

NESA has legislative responsibility, for setting, monitoring and implementing  Kindergarten to Year 12 curriculum for all NSW Government, Catholic and Independent schools. 

In consultation with key stakeholders, NESA determines the timeline for syllabus development for each key learning area and the subsequent implementation of syllabuses in schools.

Simply put NESA ensures that the NSW Curriculum incorporates matter from the Australian Curriculum into the syllabus for each subject. For more information click here