The Minns Labor Government is continuing its work to boost student outcomes across New South Wales, unveiling a revamped Business Studies syllabus as part of the ongoing NSW Curriculum Reform program.
Business Studes is one of the most popular subjects for HSC students, and the new knowledge-rich syllabus provides more detailed content for students to strengthen their understanding of how businesses operate.
The practical application of Business Studies content to the real world has contributed to high enrolments over time and is a feature that has been strengthened in the new syllabus.
Across Years 11 and 12, content has been restructured and focus areas updated to support teachers and students learn in a way that builds on students' understanding of each topic.
The new syllabus establishes foundational business concepts in Year 11, where students learn how to start and grow a business and manage core business functions.
Students will learn to analyse business scenarios, solve a range of business problems, and recognise business opportunities.
This will set students up for Year 12, which focuses on key business areas of marketing, operations, finance, and human resources.
Case studies are embedded in syllabus content, allowing students to apply their knowledge and understanding of business functions and management to different businesses.
Schools will have more than a year to get to know the new syllabus. It will be taught from 2028 and examined in the HSC for the first time in 2029.
NESA will provide teaching advice and support materials to assist schools and teachers to implement the new syllabus.
The syllabuses are now available on the NSW Curriculum website.
Deputy Premier of New South Wales and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
"This is another milestone in the Minns Labor Government's Curriculum Reform program, laying down a strong syllabus foundation for Business Studies, benefiting HSC students for years to come.
"The refreshed Business Studies syllabus retains everything that makes the course so popular, while providing teachers with sensible, clear content for evidence-based teaching.
"For students, we're delivering deeper learning and a much clearer progression of concepts, ensuring everything mastered in Year 11 directly builds toward success in Year 12 and beyond."
NSW Education Standards Authority CEO Paul Martin said:
"As is always the case, we have relied on the evidence to develop a syllabus that reflects the essential knowledge and skills students need in a business course.
"That approach has been consulted on widely, and we have taken on a range of feedback points from teachers and other stakeholders.
"That process gives us confidence that we have produced a document that is engaging for students, steeped in evidence and that will work for teachers."
