Civics and Citizenship

By the end of Level 4, students explain how decisions can be made democratically and the role of local government. They describe the importance of rules and distinguish between rules and laws. Students describe how people participate in their community as active citizens, their rights and responsibilities, and factors that shape a person’s identity and communities.

Students identify questions to investigate civics and citizenship issues. They describe democratic institutions and systems using information and sources. They describe contemporary civics and citizenship issues and use consensus-building and deliberation to negotiate outcomes together.

By the end of Level 6, students explain the values and features of Australia’s democratic institutions and systems, including the 3 levels of government and electoral systems. They explain the roles and responsibilities of key institutions, including how legislation is made and law enforcement. Students explain the different meanings of citizenship and the roles and responsibilities associated with different kinds of citizenship.

Students develop questions to investigate civics and citizenship issues, using different sources. Students explain the values and features of democratic institutions and processes through contemporary issues. They explain reasons to participate in democratic processes and...

By the end of Level 8, students analyse the roles of key institutions and political actors in Australia’s democracy and the ways in which citizens participate in democracy. They explain the characteristics and types of law in Australia, and the principles and features of the Australian legal system, including how citizens can participate in lawmaking. Students discuss democratic values and their influence on contemporary Australian society, and the diverse perspectives of individuals and groups towards citizenship and identity. Students describe the nature of Australian society and how Australians express different aspects of their identity and communities, including...

By the end of Level 10, students evaluate the Australian government’s roles and responsibilities at a regional and a global level, including its international legal obligations. They analyse the Australian Constitution as the basis of the Australian system of government, the process for constitutional change and the role of parliaments and the High Court of Australia in protecting rights. Students compare this system of government with at least one other system in the Asia-Pacific region. They evaluate the roles of key democratic institutions in public discourse and ways of sustaining a resilient democracy. Students discuss individual and...