Civics and citizenship / Year 10 / Civics and Citizenship Knowledge and Understanding / Laws and citizens

Curriculum content descriptions

How Australia’s international legal obligations shape Australian law and government policies, including in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (ACHCK093)

Elaborations
  • listing some of the international agreements Australia has ratified and identifying examples of how each one might shape government policies and laws (for example, the protection of World Heritage areas)
  • researching the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • identifying how international conventions and declarations have shaped Australian government policies with regard to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
  • recognising that the obligations in international treaties only take domestic effect in Australia if they are implemented by statute, whether by the Commonwealth or state parliaments
General capabilities
  • Critical and creative thinking Critical and creative thinking
  • Intercultural understanding Intercultural understanding
  • Personal and social capability Personal and social capability
  • Ethical understanding Ethical understanding
Cross-curriculum priorities
ScOT terms

Government policy,  International law,  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Video

In My Blood It Runs: Right to self determination

After many decades of working with the colonial Commonwealth Government of Australia, Yolngu Elder and renowned leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu argued (as many First Peoples do) that it's in their best interest to establish independence, politically and economically, from the colonial state. "We, the united clans of east Arnhem ...

Video

In My Blood It Runs: Children's voices and rights

Dujuan Hoosan is a 10-year-old Arrernte and Garrwa boy. He grew up at Sandy Bore outstation and Hidden Valley town camp in Alice Springs. Dujuan is an Angangkere, which means he's a traditional healer, a role that was passed on to him from his Country and great-grandfather. Dujuan is the star of In My Blood It Runs, which ...

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The Conversation: Australian Law

This resource contains a series of explanatory articles about Australian law, and how it interacts with a variety of subjects such as indigenous law, state vs federal, and the constitution. It can be used to develop a broad understanding of Australian law.

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Gender equality analysis from The Conversation

This is a collection of 40+ articles about gender equality. It includes articles about women in corporate leadership, work-life balance for men and women, policy responses to domestic violence in South Africa, the implications of gender bias in higher education, role of childcare in promoting equality and others. The articles ...

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Year 10: Justice at home and overseas

This collection of resource sheets support students to understand key features and values of Australia's system of government and the role of the High Court with a focus on the Western Australian legal system. The resources include a comparison between key features of the Australian and Indonesian systems of government. ...

Online

Australian Civics and Citizenship Curriculum Year 10 unit of work

This unit of work develops students’ understanding of Australia’s system of government and Australia’s place in the world. It compares key features of Indonesian government with Australia's system of government and considers Australia's international responsibilities and how international law impacts on Australian law.

Downloadable

Aboriginal change makers

Aboriginal history, self-determination and identity are examined in this teaching and learning eBook. The book draws on the lived experience of First Nations peoples drawing on historical record, cultural protocols and community connections to explore perspectives on traditional culture and leadership in the face of colonisation. ...

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Wildlife crime and the law

This sequence of five lesson ideas focuses on the concept that Australia's biosecurity and environmental wellbeing are enhanced when individuals understand the behaviours, rules and laws associated with being an environmentally responsible citizen. The resource provides students with the opportunity to explore how Australia’s ...

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Drug Crime and the Law

This sequence of four lesson ideas focuses on the concept that Australia's social wellbeing is enhanced when individuals understand the behaviours and laws associated with being responsible citizens, and report signs of illicit criminal drug activity to the appropriate authorities. This resource provides the opportunity ...

Online

Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda, 1932-34

This is a collection of primary and secondary sources about Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda, a Yolgnu elder from north-east Arnhem Land and the first Indigenous Australian whose case was considered by the High Court. The collection is introduced by the newspaper cuttings, seen here, which link to a richly documented account of the ...

Online

Australian reported crime victims since 2010 - dataset

This is a dataset that provides statistics about crimes reported by victims from 2010 to the latest year of available data. It is periodically updated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The dataset is in MS Excel format.

Video

The Australian Dream: Resilience and reconciliation

This clip looks at casual racism in Australia, including some infamous incidents throughout Adam Goodes’s playing career that shook the nation. Adam showed a great deal of resilience and courage throughout this difficult time. Look at how many Australians stood with Adam, letting him know they valued his leadership and ...

Video

In My Blood It Runs: First Nations education

While watching this clip, consider Article 14 of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP): 1. Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education in their own languages, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods ...

Video

BTN: History of voting

Australia's first parliamentary election was in 1843. What was different about voting then? When and how did that change to resemble elections we have now? See if you can list the three significant dates in Australia’s history of voting and the changes that occurred on those dates.

Video

The Australian Dream: Cultural identity

Cultural identity gives us a sense of connection and belonging and an understanding of who we are and where we come from. There is a direct connection between people's sense of cultural identity and their health and wellbeing. This clip explores some of our nation’s history, including how Australia Day is seen by both Indigenous ...

Video

Trees and connection

Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmanian man Bruce Pascoe explains his connection to Country and introduces us to a family of trees. In what ways does Bruce’s relationship with the Earth differ from yours?

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Birds and totems

Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmanian man Bruce Pascoe shares his delight in encountering birds on Country. Bruce explains the significance of Umburra, or black duck, and his obligation to care for the species. Bruce explains that his brothers and sisters look after other animals, such as kangaroos, bream, wallabies, flathead and ...

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The Conversation - Indigenous collection

This is a series of short journalistic articles written by academic experts and researchers that provide facts, commentary, and independent analysis about issues, policies and culture relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The articles support student investigations and in-depth studies of issues relevant ...

Interactive

Quizzes

Test your students with these quizzes about the Australian Parliament. Topics include the three levels of government, separation of powers and the Australian Constitution.

Video

Rogue nation, 2009: NSW in 1819, convict gulag or place of opportunity?

This clip is an excerpt from the 2009 documentary 'Rites of passage', the second of a two-part series entitled 'Rogue nation'. The clip begins with historian Michael Cathcart providing contextual information about England in the early 1800s. He says that in the midst of the industrial revolution, millions of people were ...