Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions
Year 5 HASS
Year 5 HASS: an investigation into colonial Australia, the gold rushes, the path to Federation, and the environmental and economic characteristics of places.
The Australian Colonies
Students explore the establishment and growth of the Australian colonies, including convict settlement, free settlers, and the development of colonial society.
The transportation of convicts to Australia: why they were sent, what life was like, and how convicts shaped the colonies.
The lives of free settlers who chose to come to Australia, including their hopes, challenges, and the communities they built.
The devastating impact of colonial settlement on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including dispossession, frontier conflict, and resistance.
How the colonies were governed, from military rule to self-government, and the emerging social structures of colonial Australia.
A case study of the Swan River Colony and the unique challenges faced by settlers in the west.
Bushrangers and the Bush
Students investigate the story of bushrangers and the role of the bush in shaping Australian identity and mythology.
The stories of famous bushrangers and the debate over whether they were criminals or folk heroes.
A close look at the story of Ned Kelly: his life, his crimes, his famous last stand, and the debate about his legacy.
What life was like for ordinary people living in rural Australia, including squatters, selectors, and the challenges of the landscape.
How the bush became central to Australian identity, built on values of mateship, resilience, and the "fair go".
The Gold Rush
Students investigate the gold rushes of the 1850s, their impact on society, immigration, and the transformation of the colonies.
The discovery of gold and the rush that followed as people from around the world flocked to the goldfields.
The harsh reality of life on the goldfields: tents, mud, disease, and the social mix of diggers.
The rebellion at the Eureka Stockade in 1854: why the diggers rebelled and its importance for democracy.
The experiences of Chinese migrants during the gold rush and the discrimination they faced.
The lasting impact of the gold rush on population, wealth, and infrastructure.
Towards Federation
Students investigate the movement towards Federation, exploring why six separate colonies decided to unite as one nation in 1901.
Why the Australian colonies considered joining together, and the arguments for and against Federation.
The leaders who championed Federation, including Henry Parkes, Edmund Barton, and Catherine Helen Spence.
The creation of the Australian Constitution and how it set up the rules for governing the new nation.
The people excluded from the new nation, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those affected by the White Australia policy.
The evolution of voting rights in Australia, including the struggle for women's suffrage.
Managing Australian Environments
Students explore the environmental characteristics of places and how people manage and influence environments.
Understanding the different climate zones across Australia and how weather patterns affect the land.
The diverse types of natural vegetation in Australia and how they have changed over time.
The role of fire in the Australian environment and how it is managed by different groups.
How Australians use and manage natural resources like water and minerals sustainably.
Economic Choices and Communities
Students explore how people make economic choices and the role of businesses in providing goods and services.
Developing an understanding of the difference between essential needs and discretionary wants.
Identifying natural, human, and capital resources used in the production of goods.
The relationship between those who produce goods and services and those who buy them.
Investigating why people work and the different types of work available in the community.
A basic introduction to how Australia trades with other countries.