K-12 Career Learning Framework
The K-12 Career Learning Framework supports students with access to quality career related learning. These experiences build aspiration about future learning and life choices, and the capacity to identify, explore and manage career and life decisions.
This framework is for:
- senior leaders in schools responsible for whole school planning for career education, and/or career learning in the curriculum
- curriculum leaders responsible for planning, reviewing and developing a continuum of career learning programs and strategies
- careers advisers, transition advisers and classroom teachers, to enrich their existing teaching and learning programs to facilitate effective career learning
- local employers, businesses and industry and other individuals working with schools to contribute to career experiences, pathways, employability and enterprise education.
- Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA), ‘Australian Blueprint for Career Development’, Australian Blueprint for Career Development (ABCD), accessed July 2023
- DESE (Department of Education Skills and Employment) (2019) ‘National Career Education Strategy’, Future Ready: A student focused National Career Education Strategy, DESE, Australian government, accessed February 2021
- DESE (Department of Education Skills and Employment) (2019) ‘Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration’, Australian government, accessed February 2021
- Education Council (2020) Looking to the future, Report of the review of senior secondary pathways into work, further education and training, accessed February 2021
- NSW DoE (NSW Department of Education) (2017) School excellence and accountability, ‘School Excellence Framework’, NSW government, accessed February 2021
- NSW DoE (NSW Department of Education) (2018) Strategic Plan, ‘Department of Education Strategic Plan 2018 – 2022’, NSW government, accessed December 2020
- NSW DoE (NSW Department of Education) (2020) New School Success Model, ‘School Success Model’ NSW government, accessed February 2021
- NSW DoE (NSW Department of Education) (2021) Rural and Remote Education, Rural and Remote Education Strategy 2021 -2021, NSW government, accessed February 2021
- Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (2011), ‘Australian Professional Standards for Teachers’, AITSL, Melbourne, accessed February 2021
- DESE (Department of Education Skills and Employment) (2014) Preparing secondary students for work, ‘Key Elements for Career Education’, Australian government, accessed 2021 (https://www.dese.gov.au/school-work-transitions Site last modified 2020)
- CICA (Career Industry Council of Australia) (2014) CICA School Career Development Service Benchmarking Resource, ‘School Career Development Resource’, Career Industry Council of Australia, accessed February 2021
When using career learning in curriculum resources in the classroom, it is important for teachers to consider the needs of all students, including Aboriginal and EAL/D learners.
EAL/D learners will require explicit English language support and scaffolding, informed by the Enhanced EAL/D enhanced teaching and learning cycle and the student’s phase on the EAL/D Learning Progression. Teachers can access information about supporting EAL/D learners and literacy support specific to EAL/D learners.
Learning adjustments enable students with disability and additional learning and support needs to access syllabus outcomes and content on the same basis as their peers. Teachers can use a range of adjustments to ensure a personalised approach to student learning.
Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and knowledges using Aboriginal pedagogies and content, can enhance differentiation to achieve improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Targeted strategies can be used to achieve improved outcomes for Aboriginal and, or Torres Strait Islander students.
Assessing and identifying high potential and gifted learners will help teachers decide which students may benefit from extension and additional challenge. Effective strategies and contributors to achievement for high potential and gifted learners helps teachers to identify and target areas for growth and improvement. A differentiation adjustment tool can be found on the High potential and gifted education website.
Leading career education in your school
The K-12 Career Education Framework and Career Learning professional learning is designed to be used by school leaders, curriculum leaders and careers advisers. The resource aims to inform school communities on the key concepts of the career learning framework and the importance of embedding career learning in all curriculum delivered. The resource includes the slides and speaker notes to support the delivery of the professional learning.
K-12 framework and career learning professional learning (PPTX 22,561 KB)
Resources supporting schools in implementing the framework to embed career learning activities across the stages of schooling can be accessed through each stage's navigation tiles.
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Career Learning in Curriculum
Career learning is embedded across all stages of schooling, helping students connect classroom experiences with real-world opportunities. Through curriculum-aligned activities, students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to explore career pathways and make informed decisions about their futures.
Explore curriculum-aligned Career Learning in the Curriculum resources from Stage 1 to Stage 6 that support students in connecting classroom learning with future pathways through meaningful, real-world experiences.