Design Innovation Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2025) – information for school leaders
Learn about the Design Innovation Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2025) – what has changed and where to get further support.
The Design Innovation Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2025) replaces the Design and Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2019). Planning and preparation will commence from 2026 with implementation in 2028.
The syllabus recognises the critical importance of design, innovation and enterprise, and assesses impacts on society and the environment. Students learn how to use current and emerging technologies and materials responsibly and safely by adapting to changing needs and situations.
What you need to know
- The Design Innovation Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2025) is a NESA developed course. It replaces the Design and Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2019).
- 2026–2027
- Teachers engage with the syllabus and plan and prepare implementation of the curriculum.
- 2028
- Implementation commences in schools.
- The Design Innovation Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2025) is a live document available via NESA’s digital platform.
- The Design Innovation Technology 7–10 Syllabus includes 4 elective courses:
- Design Innovation Technology 7–10 200 hours
- Design Innovation Technology 7–10 100 hours
- Design Innovation Technology Life Skills 7–10 200 hours
- Design Innovation Technology Life Skills 7–10 100 hours.
- NSW syllabuses accommodate teaching approaches that support student diversity.
The Design Innovation Technology 7–10 Syllabus includes:
- a new syllabus structure with an increased focus on designing solutions to solve real world challenges, including sustainability
- 3 focus areas that can be delivered flexibly, with no specified hours for each focus area, or set core structures
- outcomes and content organised under the focus areas that require new teaching programs
- content available for Stage 4 that is identical to Stage 5
- organisation of outcomes and content illustrating the important role of practical experiences and design and production processes in the development of technological knowledge, understanding and skills
- Life Skills outcomes have been mapped to the Stage 4 and 5 outcomes to facilitate integrated delivery.
The organisation of the Design Innovation Technology 7–10 image is from the Design Innovation Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2025) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024.
Prior to implementing the Design Innovation Technology 7–10 Syllabus (2025), leaders will need to consider the following:
- teacher understanding of the changes to the syllabus structure and familiarisation with the digital curriculum platform to ensure the syllabus is taught as intended
- collaboration with staff and learning support teams to ensure appropriate curriculum planning
- logistical complexities, including:
- coordination of rooms, technologies, and resources
- prioritising practical activities as evidence of learning
- updating the name of the subject in published documentation, subject selection information, and assessment schedules.
- resource and budget implications, including:
- adequate release days for professional learning
- purchasing appropriate resources
- developing new programs
- prioritising practical and project-based learning
- acquiring new technologies and resources for the Design and Innovation focus area
- classrooms with access to technologies that reflect the syllabus content.
- suitability of a Life Skills pattern of study for students.
The syllabus for Design Innovation Technology is based on evidence summarised in the Bibliography: Design Innovation Technology 7–10 published by NESA.
Design Innovation Technology 7–10 (2025) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024.
- How will the new syllabus affect classroom practice? What is in place to support and evaluate this practice?
- How can the new syllabus be used to improve teaching practice and student learning?
- What school practices and systems are in place to support teacher professional learning? What else might be required for this syllabus?
- What evidence is there that staff have understood syllabus changes and familiarised themselves with the new syllabus, including the research it is based upon?
- What resources are required to implement the syllabus that meet planning, programming, assessing, and reporting requirements?
- What processes are in place to ensure the longevity of resources required for students to achieve success in Design Innovation Technology 7–10?
Further support
- See Leading curriculum K–12 for updates and additional information
- Join the Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) Statewide staffroom
- Contact the TAS curriculum team: TAS@det.nsw.edu.au