In all Australian schools, students learn from the same national plan, called the Australian Curriculum. Each state may change a few small things, but the main subjects are the same. From Year 7 to Year 10, students study many different subjects: English, Maths, Science, Humanities (like History and Geography), Health and PE, the Arts (like Music and Drama), Technology, and Languages. These subjects give students a wide and balanced education. In Years 9 and 10, students can also choose some extra subjects they are interested in. They have the opportunity to choose one or two elective subjects each year. These electives allow students to explore their personal interests and begin to focus on areas that may be important for their future studies or careers.
Common elective options include creative subjects such as Visual Arts, Music, Drama, and Media Studies. Many schools also offer practical and technical subjects like Design and Technology, Food Technology (cooking and nutrition), Textiles, or Woodwork and Metalwork. Students can also study languages such as Japanese, French, or German, depending on what their school offers. Other popular electives include Outdoor Education, Sports Science, Psychology, or Commerce (basic business and economics).
The exact range of electives depends on the school’s teachers and resources. Overall, elective subjects help students discover their strengths and prepare for senior school or vocational pathways.
~Karlotta