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Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority

Level 8

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Civics and Citizenship

Civics and Citizenship Level Description

The Levels 7 and 8 curriculum provides a study of the Australian Constitution and how its features, principles and values shape Australia’s democracy. They explore the responsibilities and freedoms of citizens and how citizens can participate in Australia’s democracy. They look at how the rights of individuals are protected through the justice system, how laws are made and the types...

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Civics and Citizenship Content Descriptions

Government and Democracy

  1. Describe key features of government under the Australian Constitution, including the separation of powers, the Executive, the role of the Houses of Parliament, and the division of powers (VCCCG018)
  2. Discuss the freedoms that enable active participation in Australia's democracy within the bounds of law, including freedom of speech, association, assembly, religion and movement (VCCCG019)
  3. Explain how citizens can participate in Australia's democracy, including the use of the electoral system, contact with their elected representatives, use of lobby groups, interest groups and direct action (VCCCG020)
  4. Describe the process of constitutional change through a referendum (VCCCG021)

Laws and Citizens

  1. Explain how Australia’s legal system aims to provide justice, including through the rule of law, presumption of innocence, burden of proof, right to a fair trial and right to legal representation (VCCCL022)
  2. Compare how laws are made in Australia, including through parliaments (statutory law) and courts (common law), and explain different types of laws, including executive law (delegated law), criminal law, civil law and the place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customary law (VCCCL023)

Citizenship, Diversity and Identity

  1. Describe how Australia is a secular nation and a multi-faith society (VCCCC024)
  2. Identify how values can promote cohesion within Australian society, including the values of freedom, respect, inclusion, civility, responsibility, compassion, equality and a ‘fair go’ (VCCCC025)
  3. Explain how groups express their identities, including religious and cultural identity, and how this expression can influence their perceptions of others and others’ perception of them (VCCCC026)
  4. Examine how national identity can shape a sense of belonging and examine different perspectives about Australia’s national identity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' perspectives (VCCCC027)

Civics and Citizenship Achievement Standard

By the end of Level 8, students explain features of Australia’s system of government, and the purpose of the Constitution in Australia’s representative democracy. They analyse features of Australian democracy, and explain features that enable active participation. They explain how Australia’s legal system is based on the principle of justice, and describe the types of law and how laws are made. Students identify the importance of shared values, explain different points of view and explain the diverse nature of Australian society. They analyse issues about national identity in Australia and the factors that contribute to people’s sense of belonging. They identify ways they can be active and informed citizens, and take action, in different contexts.

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