Every Australian student will be required to learn about the history and significance of Australia Day under the new national curriculum being rolled out across the country from this year.

School Education Minister Peter Garrett said until now, the study of Australia Day has been optional under the various state and territory curriculums.

“While many schools were choosing to teach their students about Australia Day it wasn’t a compulsory part of the history curriculum. This is too important a day to leave as an ‘optional extra’ which is why, under the new curriculum, every kid in the country will learn about the history and significance of January 26,” he said.

“Australia Day is central to our history and our sense of who we are. It’s a day where we celebrate our country and acknowledge the important place Indigenous people occupy.”

Under the new curriculum, every Year 3 student will learn about Australia Day, its place in national history, and what it means to different groups of Australians including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

“Teachers and schools will have flexibility about how they teach the subject and will do so in a way that is appropriate for each age group,” Mr Garrett said.

“Older primary school children will learn Australian history by studying the lives of great Australians, which could include John and Elizabeth Macarthur, Don Bradman and living treasures such as Marie Bashir and Fiona Wood.

“In high school, students will learn about the development of Australian democracy, our involvement in UN peacekeeping, and the significance of the Industrial Revolution, among other topics.

“We’ve got a fascinating past in this country, with stories of great bravery and determination and examples of outstanding individuals in science, sport, public life and the arts. The new national curriculum ensures that all Australian students are encouraged to learn about and appreciate our history.”

The national curriculum is being progressively rolled out across Australian states and territories, with Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT beginning to teach some subjects this year.

It means that for the first time, Australian school students will learn and be assessed against the same content. The curriculum is of world-class quality and is also one of the first curriculums to be fully digital.

For more information visit www.australiancurriculum.edu.au.