Year 6 Civics & Citizenship

Students explore why rules and laws are important in their school and local community, and how they help everyone live together safely and fairly.

Students investigate how rules are made in their school and at home, identifying who makes them and why they are important.

Students map the distinct responsibilities and services provided by each of the three levels of government in Australia.

Students explore how federal, state, and local governments interact and resolve disputes.

Students explore the core values of freedom and equality, examining their meaning and application in Australian society.

Students investigate the principle of the rule of law and its role in ensuring a fair and just society.

Students identify the main jobs of different parts of government (e.g., making laws, running services, making decisions) in a simplified way.

Students explore how elections work in Australia, including preferential voting and the secret ballot.

Students identify key leaders in their local community, state, and at the national level (e.g., Mayor, Premier, Prime Minister) and their general roles.

Students identify and explain the significance of national symbols that represent Australia's democratic identity.

Students simulate the process of identifying a need for a new school rule, discussing it, and getting it approved.

Students participate in a simplified discussion and voting process to decide on a class or school rule, understanding that different opinions exist.

Students consider how rules are reviewed and changed if they are not working well or if circumstances change.

Students learn that for a rule to be official, it needs final approval from the right person or group (e.g., principal, school council).

Students explore simple examples of how rules or laws have changed because society's needs or ideas have changed (e.g., safety rules, environmental rules).

Students discuss how new inventions or situations (like online games or new sports) might require new rules to keep people safe and fair.

Students learn that in a community, different groups of people have different ideas about what is important and how things should be done.

Students identify the Prime Minister as the leader of the country and understand that they work with a team of people to help run Australia.

Students learn about the basic structure of the Australian Parliament and its role in creating laws.

Students learn that the government collects money (taxes) to pay for important public services like schools, hospitals, and roads.

Students identify different people and places that help resolve conflicts or deal with broken rules (e.g., teachers, parents, police, courts in a simple sense).

Students explore that some problems are about fairness between people (e.g., sharing toys), and others are about breaking serious rules (e.g., stealing), requiring different ways to solve them.

Students discuss what makes a process fair when trying to solve a problem or decide if a rule has been broken, focusing on listening to both sides.

Students learn that sometimes ordinary people from the community are chosen to help make decisions in serious court cases, and why this is important.

Students understand that judges are important people who make decisions in courts and must be fair and not take sides.

Students learn that everyone should have a chance to get help if they have a problem with a rule or law, even if they don't have much money.

Students explore different ways to solve disagreements peacefully, such as talking it out, compromising, or asking a trusted adult to help mediate.

Students investigate the duties and powers of police in upholding laws and maintaining public order.

Students discuss different types of consequences for breaking rules, focusing on how they can help people learn, make amends, and prevent future problems.

Students learn that there are special rules and ways of helping young people who make mistakes, focusing on guidance and support.

Students identify and discuss basic human rights and freedoms that all people should have, such as the right to an education, safety, and a voice.

Students explore the UDHR as a foundational document for international human rights standards.

Students learn about the importance of voting in a democracy as a way for citizens to choose their leaders and have a say in how their community is run.

Students learn about the importance of jury service as a civic responsibility and its role in the justice system.

Students explore why citizens pay taxes and how these funds contribute to public services and infrastructure.

Students explore how Australia connects with and helps other countries, especially those in our region, through trade, aid, and cultural exchange.

Students explore how Australia contributes to solving global issues such as climate change, poverty, and human rights abuses.

Students practice making ethical decisions in simple community scenarios, considering what is fair, kind, and responsible for everyone involved.

Students learn about their rights as consumers and their responsibilities when making purchases.

Students explore the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen in the digital world, including online safety and privacy.