NSW Curriculum Guide
What Your Child Learns, Year by Year
The complete NSW NESA curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 10 — organised by subject and stage so you always know what's being taught.
Early Stage 1
Kindergarten
Ages 5-6
Stage 1
Years 1-2
Ages 6-8
Stage 2
Years 3-4
Ages 8-10
Stage 3
Years 5-6
Ages 10-12
📖EnglishEnglish K-10 (2022)4 stages
English
English K-10 (2022)
Early Stage 1Kindergarten
- Oral Language & Communication
- Vocabulary (Tier 1 & 2)
- Phonological Awareness
- Print Conventions
- Phonic Knowledge
- Reading Fluency
- Reading Comprehension
- Creating Written Texts
- Spelling
- Handwriting
- Responding to Literature
Stage 1Years 1-2
- Oral Language & Communication
- Vocabulary (Tier 1, 2 & 3)
- Extended Phonics (digraphs, trigraphs)
- Reading Fluency & Prosody
- Sustained Reading Comprehension
- Writing (planning, paragraphs)
- Spelling Strategies
- Handwriting & Digital Transcription
- Literature Response
Stage 2Years 3-4
- Oral Language for Social & Learning Purposes
- Vocabulary Building through Reading
- Reading Fluency (accuracy, rate, prosody)
- Text Structures & Comprehension Monitoring
- Imaginative Writing
- Informative Writing
- Persuasive Writing
- Spelling Generalisations
- Joined Handwriting & Digital Transcription
- Analysing Literature
Stage 3Years 5-6
- Oral Language with Diverse Audiences
- Extended Vocabulary & Word Strategies
- Independent Reading of Complex Texts
- Analysing & Evaluating Texts
- Imaginative Writing for Impact
- Informative Writing for Clarity
- Persuasive Writing with Evidence
- Complex Spelling Strategies
- Personal Handwriting Style
- Evaluating Perspectives in Literature
🔢MathematicsMathematics K-10 (2022)4 stages
Mathematics
Mathematics K-10 (2022)
Early Stage 1Kindergarten
- Whole Numbers to 20
- Addition & Subtraction Concepts
- Repeating Patterns & Equal Groups
- Position & Direction
- Length & Half
- 2D Shapes
- Area Comparison
- 3D Objects
- Volume Comparison
- Mass Comparison
- Time (hours)
- Data Displays
Stage 1Years 1-2
- Place Value & Zero (to 1000)
- Number Bonds & Addition/Subtraction
- Multiplication with Equal Groups
- Position & Grid Maps
- Measurement (length in cm, m)
- Halves, Quarters & Eighths
- 2D Shapes & Quadrilaterals
- Area (informal units)
- 3D Objects & Nets
- Volume & Capacity
- Mass (informal units)
- Duration & Time
- Data in Tables & Graphs
- Chance
Stage 2Years 3-4
- Place Value to Tens of Thousands
- Decimals to 2 Places
- Addition & Subtraction Strategies
- Number Sentences
- Multiplication & Division
- Fractions (halves, quarters, thirds, fifths)
- Grid Maps & Directional Language
- Length (m, cm, mm)
- Angles & Right Angles
- 2D Shape Properties
- Transformations
- Area (square units)
- 3D Models & Nets
- Capacity & Volume
- Mass Measurement
- Analog & Digital Time
- Graphs & Data Interpretation
- Chance Experiments
Stage 3Years 5-6
- Place Value to Millions
- Decimals to Thousandths & Negative Integers
- Addition & Subtraction of Decimals
- Order of Operations
- Fractions, Decimals & Percentages
- Angle Measurement & Grid References
- Triangles & Quadrilateral Properties
- Transformations
- Prisms, Pyramids & Volume
- Unit Conversions
- Mean, Median & Mode
- Probability as Fractions
🔬Science & TechnologyScience & Technology K-6 (2017) / Science 7-10 (2023)4 stages
Science & Technology
Science & Technology K-6 (2017) / Science 7-10 (2023)
Early Stage 1Kindergarten
- Living & Non-Living Things
- Properties of Materials
- Pushes & Pulls (forces)
- Daily & Seasonal Changes
- Using Digital Systems
Stage 1Years 1-2
- Living Things Grow & Change
- Habitats & Food Chains
- Changing Materials
- Light, Sound & Heat
- Forces & Movement
- Earth's Resources & Weather
- Data Representation & Algorithms
Stage 2Years 3-4
- Life Cycles & Adaptations
- Classification of Living Things
- Natural vs Processed Materials
- Physical & Chemical Changes
- Contact & Non-Contact Forces
- Energy Transformations
- Water Cycle & Solar System
- Simple Programming
Stage 3Years 5-6
- Ecosystems & Food Webs
- Micro-organisms & Body Systems
- Mixtures & Solutions
- Reversible & Irreversible Changes
- Electrical Circuits & Light
- Forces in Action
- Earth in the Solar System
- Sustainability
- Complex Algorithms & Binary
🏛️HistoryHistory K-10 (2012)4 stages
History
History K-10 (2012)
Early Stage 1Kindergarten
- Personal & Family Histories
- Significant Events in My Life
- Daily Life Now and in the Past
Stage 1Years 1-2
- Present & Past Family Life
- How Daily Life Has Changed
- The Past in the Present
- Heritage Sites & Significant People
Stage 2Years 3-4
- Community & Remembrance
- Anzac Day & NAIDOC Week
- First Contacts & the First Fleet
- Impact on Aboriginal Peoples
- Early Colonial Life
Stage 3Years 5-6
- The Australian Colonies
- Convict Life & the Gold Rush
- Impact on First Nations Peoples
- Australia as a Nation
- Federation & Key Figures
- Migration & Australian Identity
🌏GeographyGeography K-10 (2015)4 stages
Geography
Geography K-10 (2015)
Early Stage 1Kindergarten
- People Live in Places
- Features of My Place
- Why Places Are Important
- Caring for Places
Stage 1Years 1-2
- Natural & Human Features
- Weather & Seasons
- How Features Influence Activities
- Connections to Places
- How Places Are Organised
Stage 2Years 3-4
- Comparing Places in Australia & Globally
- Similarities & Differences
- Types of Natural Environments
- How People Interact with Environments
Stage 3Years 5-6
- Natural Processes that Shape Places
- Human Activity & Environments
- Diversity of People & Places
- Global Connections, Trade & Migration
🏃PDHPEPDHPE K-10 (2018)4 stages
PDHPE
PDHPE K-10 (2018)
Early Stage 1Kindergarten
- Personal Identity & Emotions
- Trusted Adults & Families
- Locomotor Skills (running, jumping)
- Balance & Object Control
- Healthy Eating & Hygiene
- Sun Safety & Being Active
Stage 1Years 1-2
- Strengths & Achievements
- Respectful Relationships
- Managing Emotions & Bullying
- Refined Movement Skills
- Simple Games
- Nutritious Foods & Road Safety
- Emergency Situations
Stage 2Years 3-4
- Peer Relationships & Problem Solving
- Positive Communication
- Introduction to Puberty
- Combined Movement Patterns
- Modified Games & Team Strategies
- Balanced Diet & Cybersafety
- Water Safety & Fitness
Stage 3Years 5-6
- Identity & Body Image
- Puberty & Adolescent Changes
- Mental Health Strategies
- Specialised Movement & Sport Skills
- Game Strategies
- Drug Education (alcohol, tobacco)
- First Aid Basics & Media Influence
🎨Creative ArtsCreative Arts K-6 (2006) / Electives 7-104 stages
Creative Arts
Creative Arts K-6 (2006) / Electives 7-10
Early Stage 1Kindergarten
- Dance: Body Movements & Simple Sequences
- Drama: Dramatic Play & Role-Play
- Music: Singing, Beat & Rhythm
- Visual Arts: Drawing, Painting & Constructing
Stage 1Years 1-2
- Dance: Compose Short Sequences
- Drama: Create Roles & Perform
- Music: Sing, Play Instruments & Create
- Visual Arts: Range of Media & Discuss Artworks
Stage 2Years 3-4
- Dance: Choreographic Devices
- Drama: Devise Dramas & Analyse
- Music: Notation & Cultural Music
- Visual Arts: 2D/3D Skills & Context
Stage 3Years 5-6
- Dance: Themes & Critical Evaluation
- Drama: Narrative & Varied Styles
- Music: Ensembles & Genres
- Visual Arts: Personal Style & Art History
🗣️LanguagesModern Languages K-10 (2022)4 stages
Languages
Modern Languages K-10 (2022)
Early Stage 1Kindergarten
- Recognise Sounds in Target Language
- Participate in Songs & Games
- Recognise Familiar Words
Stage 1Years 1-2
- Simple Exchanges
- Recognise Familiar Phrases
- Copy Familiar Words
Stage 2Years 3-4
- Guided Interactions
- Identify Key Information in Texts
- Create Simple Texts
Stage 3Years 5-6
- Sustained Exchanges
- Interpret Varied Texts
- Compose for Different Audiences
🗣️
19 Languages Supported in NSW
Mandatory 100 hours in Years 7-8 · Elective in Years 9-10
ArabicChineseFrenchGermanHebrewHindiIndonesianItalianJapaneseKoreanMacedonianModern GreekPersianPunjabiRussianSpanishTamilTurkishVietnamese
Practice what they're actually learning
NaExam practice exams are aligned to the NSW NESA curriculum. Every question maps to what your child is studying right now.
Source: NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) · curriculum.nsw.edu.au
Content reflects current syllabuses as of 2026. New syllabuses for History, Geography, PDHPE and Creative Arts K-6 take effect from 2027.