For the first time, every NSW public high school will be able to offer the most academically demanding HSC courses with a new HSC Subject Guarantee, as the Minns Labor Government continues to grow the Inspire High Potential and Gifted Education program.
From 2027, all students across NSW, including Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, will be able to study HSC courses via the state's virtual public school, Aurora College.
Until now, access to HSC courses via Aurora College has been limited to students in remote and rural areas of NSW. The Minns Labor Government is expanding access to ensure students can study more academic courses, regardless of where they live or which public school they attend.
While Year 11 and 12 students can choose from more than 120 HSC courses, not every school can offer every subject via face-to-face teaching. Aurora College's high-quality virtual learning addresses this challenge by expanding access to subject-specific specialist teachers across NSW, allowing more students to access advanced and extension subjects.
As part of the Minns Labor Government's HSC Subject Guarantee, the following 11 HSC courses will be offered virtually to all public school students for the first time: English Advanced, English Extension 1, English Extension 2, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2, Chemistry, Physics, Science Extension, Economics and History Extension.
This expansion means more students than ever before can study the HSC courses aligned to their ability and aspirations, setting them up for future success.
Expanding advanced HSC subject access builds on the Minns Labor Government's Inspire program, which is expanding opportunities for high potential and gifted students across NSW public schools.
All public schools are now embedding high potential and gifted education into their schools and their teaching, with each school's Inspire offerings now published on their school website.
As part of this commitment, the Minns Labor Government is investing $100 million to build state-of-the-art learning facilities at 33 high potential and gifted education partner schools across NSW and rolling out new extension class opportunities.
This expansion is underpinned by the Minns Labor Government's work to rebuild the teaching workforce, with teacher vacancies now at a 12‑year low following Labor's historic wage rise and additional policies to reduce teacher workload.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"Every HSC student in a NSW public school should be able to choose the courses they want to study, setting themselves up for success, regardless of their postcode or which public school they attend.
"That's why the Minns Labor Government is expanding access to advanced and extension HSC subjects, ensuring all students can reach their full potential at school.
"Our government will ensure every student can pursue their passion and strengths as we continue our work to build a stronger public education system."
