Planning programming and assessing Science 11–12
Resources to plan, program and assess Stage 6 Science. Curriculum reform is underway. Ensure you are up to date with syllabus information by checking the Leading science K–12.
ACE rule changes
NESA has updated ACE rules and assessment guidelines to limit take-home assessment for Preliminary and HSC courses to be implemented from Term 4 2026.
The resources on these pages may not reflect those changes. Please adapt as required with reference to the limit on take-home assessment.
For further information, please refer to NESA's announcement regarding new limit on take-home assessment tasks from Term 4 2026.
Science 11–12 (2025) Syllabuses
In 2025 NESA released new syllabuses for Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Earth and Environmental Science.
For more information on the Stage 6 Syllabuses, visit Science syllabuses (NESA).
In Years 11 and 12, the following 2-unit courses have resources available to assist your implementation planning.
The new Biology 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is:
- to be implemented from 2027, with planning beginning in 2026
- the syllabus will be taught to Year 11 from Term 1, 2027
- schools are to begin teaching Year 12 in Term 4, 2027
- the first HSC examination will be in 2028.
The new Physics 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is:
- to be implemented from 2027, with planning beginning in 2026
- the syllabus will be taught to Year 11 from Term 1, 2027
- schools are to begin teaching Year 12 in Term 4, 2027
- the first HSC examination will be in 2028.
The new Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is:
- to be implemented from 2028, with planning beginning in 2026.
- the syllabus will be taught to Year 11 from Term 1, 2028
- schools are to begin teaching Year 12 in Term 4, 2028
- the first HSC examination will be in 2029.
The new Earth and Environmental Science 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is:
- to be implemented from 2028, with planning beginning in 2026.
- the syllabus will be taught to Year 11 from Term 1, 2028
- schools are to begin teaching Year 12 in Term 4, 2028
- the first HSC examination will be in 2029.
For approved students in Years 11 and 12, the following Life Skills courses are available:
Science Stage 6 Syllabuses (2017)
The syllabuses in this section are the current syllabuses being implemented in schools.
For more information on the Stage 6 Syllabuses, visit Science syllabuses (NESA).
In Years 11 and 12, the following 2-unit courses are available.
- Biology Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
- Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
- Earth and Environmental Science Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
- Physics Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
- Investigating Science Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
In Year 12, the one-unit Science Extension Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) course is also available.
For approved students in Years 11 and 12, the following Life Skills courses are available:
- Chemical World Science Life Skills Stage 6 (2017)
- Earth and Space Science Life Skills Stage 6 (2017)
- Investigating Science Life Skills Stage 6 (2017)
- Living World Science Life Skills Stage 6 (2017)
- Physical World Science Life Skills Stage 6 (2017)
This 2026 Science Life Skills Stage 6 Quick Reference Guide (PDF 288 KB) provides an overview of support available to implement the Science Life Skills Stage 6 Syllabus (2017).
Keep up to date with Science 7–12
Join the Science Statewide Staffroom to stay up to date with Science 7–12. The science curriculum team regularly make announcements and provide professional learning opportunities through Statewide Staffroom meetings. To join, navigate to Science on the Statewide Staffroom page and complete the registration form.
You can contact the science curriculum team through the Science Statewide Staffroom or by email science7-12@det.nsw.edu.au
Last modified date
28/09/2026
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