2026
ACARA's submission into the Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs commenced an inquiry on 30 April 2026 into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The inquiry follows a referral from the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy. ACARA’s submission outlines ACARA’s role with regards to the Australian Curriculum and how it supports understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
ACARA's submission into the Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (PDF 205 KB)
ACARA's submission into the Inquiry into factors driving educational attainment
The House of Representative Standing Committee on Education on 1 April 2026, launched an inquiry into factors driving educational attainment. This inquiry follows a referral from the Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP. ACARA’s submission focused on provided national evidence on gender differences in educational attainment and participation, drawing on data from NAPLAN, national and international assessments, attendance, retention, attainment and VET participation.
ACARA's submission into the Inquiry into factors driving educational attainment (PDF 2 MB)
2025
ACARA submission into the inquiry into building Asia capability in Australia through the education system and beyond
The House Standing Committee on Education commenced an inquiry on 22 September 2025 into building Asia capability in Australia through the education system and beyond, following a referral from the Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP. ACARA’s submission focuses on how the Australian Curriculum supports the development of Asia capability through curriculum design, content, and supporting resources.
ACARA submission into the inquiry into building Asia capability in Australia through the education system and beyond (PDF 148 KB)
2022
ACARA’s submission into the Review of the National School Reform Agreement - The National Measurement Framework for Schooling in Australia
Submission to the Productivity Commission’s review of the National School Reform Agreement in July 2022.
These documents provide information on the curriculum development process used to develop the national curriculum, including background information to guide the writing of the national curriculum.
Curriculum development process: describes the process used to develop the national curriculum. It also describes the structure of writing teams and consultation groups involved in the national curriculum development.
Curriculum design: The curriculum design paper provides guidelines for the writing of the Australian curriculum.
The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: English, mathematics, science and history includes key foundational documents to shape the Australian Curriculum.
A brief precis publication summarises the ten documents, along with the consultation processes and curriculum development work of the Board.
Full copies of the documents along with their matching consultation reports are available below.
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum, version 5, June 2020 (PDF 389 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum, May 2009 (PDF 278 KB)
- Shape Paper Consultation Report, May 2009 (PDF 293 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: English, May 2009 (PDF 273 KB)
- Framing Paper Consultation Report: English, May 2009 (PDF 383 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics, May 2009 (PDF 267 KB)
- Framing Paper Consultation Report: Mathematics, May 2009 (PDF 330 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Science, May 2009 (PDF 264 KB)
- Framing Paper Consultation Report: The Sciences, May 2009 (PDF 382 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: History, May 2009 (PDF 273 KB)
- Framing Paper Consultation Report: History, May 2009 (PDF 317 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum, December 2012 (PDF 392 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Geography, January 2011 (PDF 738 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Civics and Citizenship, October 2012 (PDF 363 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Economics and Business, December 2012 (PDF 384 KB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education, August 2012 (PDF 1.1 MB)
- The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Technologies, August 2012 (PDF 442 KB)