7 to 12 Circulars – Edition 2, February 2026
Teaching and Learning 7–12
Pre-primary to Year 10: Languages and The Arts curriculum familiarisation in 2026
Contact
Languages
Nadia Civa (08) 9273 6355
Nadia.Civa@scsa.wa.edu.au
The Arts
Antoniett Halden (08) 9273 6791
Antoniett.Halden@scsa.wa.edu.au
The revised curriculum for Pre-primary to Year 10 Languages and The Arts is available for familiarisation in 2026.
Pre-primary to Year 10 Languages and The Arts is the third and final group of learning areas within the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline to be revised as part of adopting and adapting the Australian Curriculum version 9 to the Western Australian context.
The following documents are available for Languages and The Arts on the curriculum pages of the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au:
- P–10 Scope and sequence (and also the 7 to 10 Scope and sequence for Languages)
- Year level descriptions
- Provisional Achievement standards
- Summary of changes.
Schools must continue to teach the current Western Australian Curriculum during the familiarisation phase for both learning areas. The revised Pre-primary to Year 10 curriculum for Languages and The Arts will be implemented in 2027.
Pre-primary to Year 10: Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science and Technologies curriculum implementation briefings
Contact
Chris Kelley (08) 9273 6750
Chris.Kelley@scsa.wa.edu.au
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is offering online briefings in April and May to support schools with their implementation of the Western Australian curriculum for Pre-primary to Year 10 Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science and Technologies. Schools are required to teach the revised year level curriculum for these learning areas in 2026.
The purpose of these briefings is to:
- familiarise schools with changes to the Authority website
- outline key curriculum changes
- provide teaching and learning support
- discuss opportunities for assessment and reporting of student progress.
Pre-primary to Year 10: Languages and The Arts curriculum familiarisation briefings
Contact
Languages
Nadia Civa (08) 9273 6355
Nadia.Civa@scsa.wa.edu.au
The Arts
Antoniett Halden (08) 9273 6791
Antoniett.Halden@scsa.wa.edu.au
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is offering online briefings to support schools with their familiarisation with the Western Australian curriculum for Pre-primary to Year 10 Languages and The Arts.
The revised curriculum for Pre-primary to Year 10 (P–10) Languages and The Arts is available for familiarisation in 2026. Schools are required to teach the revised year level curriculum for Languages and The Arts in 2027.
The purpose of these briefings is to:
- familiarise schools with the support materials on the Authority website
- outline key curriculum changes
- provide guidance to enable your school to become familiar with the revised curriculum
- provide teaching and learning support.
The Western Australian curriculum, as published in the Western Australian Curriculum and Assessment Outline (https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/), is the mandated curriculum for Western Australia.
Pre primary to Year 10: Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science and Technologies curriculum implementation focus seminars
Contact
Chris Kelley (08) 9273 6750
Chris.Kelley@scsa.wa.edu.au
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority is offering online learning area focus seminars during March and April to support schools with their implementation of the Western Australian curriculum for Pre‑primary to Year 10 Humanities and Social Sciences, Mathematics, Science and Technologies in 2026.
These seminars are a repeat of the sessions offered last year and will be an opportunity for teachers and curriculum leaders to gain a deeper understanding of specific aspects of the revised curriculum.
Updated General Capabilities now available
Contact
Paula Beck (08) 9273 6331
Paula.Beck@scsa.wa.edu.au
The General Capabilities have been updated and are now available. The updated capabilities have been adopted and adapted from the Australian Curriculum version 9 to align with revisions to the Western Australian Curriculum.
The General Capabilities are available as pdf documents on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/wa-curriculum/general-capabilities.
Updated documents are available for:
- Critical and creative thinking
- Digital literacy
- Ethical understanding
- Intercultural understanding
- Literacy
- Numeracy
- Personal and social capability.
Examinations and assessment
2026 ATAR courses written examination papers for online marking
Contact
Barclay Jones (08) 9273 6309
Barclay.Jones@scsa.wa.edu.au
All ATAR course written examinations scripts in 2026 will be printed in preparation for marking using an online platform.
The format of all ATAR course written examination papers will have:
- a barcode at the bottom of the front page
- a solid 5 mm square in each corner of the front page
- a unique identifying number printed on every page within the paper
- the margins of each page excluded from the area available for writing and marked with the wording ‘DO NOT WRITE IN THIS AREA AS IT WILL BE CUT OFF’.
It is important to advise students not to use erasable pens, gel pens or pencils. The use of pencils is acceptable for diagrams only.
The front covers of each examination will be available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website in August 2026.
2026 Rules of conduct for Year 12 ATAR course examinations
Contact
Barclay Jones (08) 9273 6309
Barclay.Jones@scsa.wa.edu.au
The generic Year 12 ATAR course examination instructions are available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) website.
To ensure students are familiar with the rules prior to sitting the external examinations conducted by the Authority, it is strongly recommended that school-based examinations are conducted using the generic Year 12 ATAR course examination instructions.
These instructions, as well as information relating to breaches and penalties, are available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/examinations/rules-of-conduct-for-atar-course-examinations.
Alternative format practical (performance) examinations for 2026 ATAR course examination candidates with long-term injury or illness
Contact
Glenn Carroll (08) 9273 6327
Glenn.Carroll@scsa.wa.edu.au
Candidates enrolled in an ATAR course with a practical (performance) examination who have an existing injury or illness at the start of Term 3 must apply to be examined in an alternative format. This applies to candidates whose injury or illness will affect their participation in the standard practical (performance) examination of any ATAR course.
Candidates enrolled in the Dance and/or Music ATAR practical (performance) examinations are to note that there will be no sickness/misadventure consideration in these practical examinations on the basis of an injury or illness existing at the start of Term 3.
Completed applications to sit an alternative format practical examination (performance) must be received by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority by Wednesday, 29 July 2026.
More information on the alternative format practical examinations is available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/examinations/special-provisions.
2026 ATAR course examinations – Chief Marker applications
Contact
Dianne Rogers (08) 9273 6772
Dianne.Rogers@scsa.wa.edu.au
Sarah McCormack (08) 9273 6712
Sarah.McCormack@scsa.wa.edu.au
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is seeking applications for the role of Chief Marker for the practical and written components of the 2026 ATAR course examinations.
Information regarding the role and the application process is available at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/about-us/employment.
Completed applications must be received by the Authority by Thursday, 26 March 2026.
2026 English as an Additional Language or Dialect Common oral assessment task – validator and Chief validator applications
Contact
Paul Cranley (08) 9273 6795
Paul.Cranley@scsa.wa.edu.au
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is seeking applications for the role of validators and Chief validator for the English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) ATAR Year 12 course Common oral assessment task (COAT).
Applicants for either role should be suitably qualified and have experience working in schools with senior secondary students in the EAL/D ATAR course.
Validators
Applicants for the role of validator will be required to express their interest by completing the Application for validating the Common Oral Assessment Task (COAT) 2026. Applications are to be returned via email to Paul.Cranley@scsa.wa.edu.au by Wednesday, 22 April 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday, 20 May 2026.
Chief validator
Applicants for the role of Chief validator must email their completed English as an Additional Language or Dialect COAT ATAR Chief Validator: 2026 Application form to Paul Cranley at Paul.Cranley@scsa.wa.edu.au by Thursday, 26 March 2026. The successful applicant will be notified by Wednesday, 8 April 2026.
The COAT will be conducted in Term 2, 2026.
Information regarding the roles and application process is available at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/about-us/employment.
Note: an application does not guarantee appointment.
Uploading English as an Additional Language or Dialect ATAR Year 12 course Common oral assessment task audiovisual files
Contact
Paul Cranley (08) 9273 6795
Paul.Cranley@scsa.wa.edu.au
Audiovisual files for the English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) ATAR Year 12 course Common oral assessment task (COAT) must be uploaded to the Student Information Registration System 2 (SIRS2).
Instructions on how to upload COAT audiovisual files are available in the English as an Additional Language or Dialect Common oral assessment task – Technical Guide under the ‘COAT materials’ accordion at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/english/english-as-an-additional-language-or-dialect.
Audiovisual files for EAL/D ATAR Year 12 course COAT must be uploaded to SIRS2 by Wednesday, 10 June 2026.
2027 Common oral assessment task and Externally set tasks – Applications for writers or checkers
Contact
Vanessa Mitchell (08) 9273 6360
Vanessa.Mitchell@scsa.wa.edu.au
Lisa Honczarenko (08) 9273 6763
Lisa.Honczarenko@scsa.wa.edu.au
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is seeking qualified people for the roles of writer or checker for the 2027 for English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) ATAR Year 12 course Common oral assessment task (COAT) and for the 2027 Externally set tasks (ESTs).
Information regarding these roles, including the terms of reference and the application process, is available at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/about-us/employment .
Completed applications must be received by the Authority by Friday, 27 March 2026.
Successful applicants will be notified after Monday, 20 April 2026.
2026 Physical Education Studies ATAR Year 12 course – School-based practical external assessment
Contact
Melanie McKeaig (08) 9273 6320
spea@scsa.wa.edu.au
Barclay Jones (08) 9273 6309
Barclay.Jones@scsa.wa.edu.au
All students enrolled in the Physical Education Studies (PES) ATAR Year 12 course must complete the School‑based practical external assessment (SPEA). The 2026 SPEA is scheduled to take place in Term 3 between Weeks 2 and 8.
SPEA handbook and application forms
Schools are to refer to the Physical Education Studies School‑based assessment handbook for information on how to conduct a SPEA and how to apply to form a collaborative SPEA or a SPEA administered by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority).
The SPEA handbook and application forms for collaborative and Authority‑administered SPEAs are available under the ‘SPEA materials’ accordion at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/health-and-physical-education/physical-education-studies.
Applications for a collaborative SPEA or an Authority‑administered SPEA must be received by the Authority by Thursday, 2 April 2026.
SPEA Contact
All schools offering the PES ATAR Year 12 course in 2026 must have a nominated PES contact registered in the Student Information Records System (SIRS). This should be a staff member directly involved in the administration of the SPEA.
It is important that the PES contact is updated or verified as soon as possible in SIRS to ensure that all SPEA communications are directed to the appropriate person.
Instructions on how to verify, update and enter staff information in SIRS is available in Section 2 of the Data Procedures Manual at https://scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/data-procedures-manual.
School-based practical external assessment 2026 – External Assessor expressions of interest
Contact
Melanie McKeaig (08) 9273 6320
spea@scsa.wa.edu.au
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is seeking expressions of interest for the role of External Assessor for the 2026 Physical Education Studies (PES) ATAR Year 12 course School‑based practical external assessment (SPEA).
Applicants should have experience working in schools with senior secondary students in the practical component of the PES ATAR course or be suitably qualified in their nominated sport.
The 2026 SPEA timeline for External Assessors:
- Term 1, Week 7 – successful applicants notified
- Term 2 – timetables provided
- Term 3, Week 1 – sport‑specific training
- Term 3, Weeks 2 to 8 – SPEA conducted.
Information on the SPEA and the Expression of interest for SPEA assessors form is available under the ‘SPEA materials’ accordion at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/health-and-physical-education/physical-education-studies.
All applicants must email their completed expression of interest form to spea@scsa.wa.edu.au by Friday, 6 March 2026.
Note: submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee appointment.
2026 Externally set task – marker applications
Contact
Sarah McCormack (08) 9273 6712
examswr@scsa.wa.edu.au
Laura Allington (08) 9273 6703
examswr@scsa.wa.edu.au
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority) is seeking applications from qualified people interested in marking the 2026 Externally set tasks (ESTs).
Information regarding the role and the application process is available at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/about-us/employment.
Completed applications must be received by the Authority by Wednesday, 22 April 2026.
2026 Earth and Environmental Science ATAR Year 12 course sample planning sheet
Contact
Lisa Honczarenko (08) 9273 6763
Lisa.Honczarenko@scsa.wa.edu.au
A sample planning sheet for the 2026 Earth and Environmental Science ATAR Year 12 course examination is available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website.
The sample planning sheet can be used to prepare students for the Earth and Environmental Science ATAR course examination.
During the examination, a planning sheet will be provided and can be used by students when completing calculations and mapping questions, such as cross‑sections, and/or to plan extended answer questions in the examination. It will not be collected as part of the examination booklet.
The sample planning sheet is available under the ‘Examination materials’ accordion on the Earth and Environmental Science course page at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/syllabus-and-support-materials/science/earth-and-environmental-science.
Vocational Education and Endorsed programs
Application for WACE Recognition of VET accredited courses
Contact
Rachael Davidson (08) 9273 6391
vetinfo@scsa.wa.edu.au
Schools must submit a request to the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (the Authority), if students wish to enrol in a vocational education and training (VET) accredited course that is not currently listed on the Accredited Course Recognition list.
An accredited course is one that is developed to meet training needs not addressed by existing training packages. Courses and modules that are not part of a nationally endorsed training package do not automatically provide students with recognition towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
The Accredited courses Recognition Status list and the Application for WACE recognition of a VET accredited course request form are available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/vet/wace-recognition-of-vet-accredited-courses.
Request forms must be received by the Authority by Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
WACE Refreshment – Tertiary preparation endorsed programs (TPEPs)
Contact
Jackie D’Sylva (08) 9273 6316
vetinfo@scsa.wa.edu.au
Rachael Davidson (08) 9273 6391
vetinfo@scsa.wa.edu.au
From 2027, students wanting to undertake a Tertiary preparation endorsed program (TPEP) must complete at least one Year 12 ATAR course to be awarded unit equivalents to contribute towards achieving the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
Schools may apply to the Authority for an accommodation for this requirement for Year 12 students from 2027. In applying to the Authority for an accommodation, schools must outline the circumstances which require the extension and provide appropriate evidence to support their application.
The Application for Tertiary Preparation Endorsed Programs (TPEP) Accommodation form is available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/vet/endorsed-programs. Applications are open and must be received by the Authority by Friday, 24 April 2026.
Further information about the TPEP WACE Refreshment can be found in the frequently asked questions (FAQs) available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/vet/endorsed-programs.
A list of the TPEPs recognised by the Authority is available at https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/vet/endorsed-programs/tertiary-preparation-endorsed-programs.
SIRS
Request to change academic year – Pre-primary to Year 10
Contact
Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
dataservices@scsa.wa.edu.au
Schools seeking to change a student’s academic year must submit the online Request to change academic year Pre‑primary to Year 10 form on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website.
If a school assesses a student to be at a higher level than their current academic year, the school may request a change to the student’s academic year.
Before submitting a request, schools should read the information provided on the application form page at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms/request-to-change-academic-year-pre-primary-to-year-10, as well as the Pre-primary to Year 10: Teaching, Assessing and Reporting Policy and Policy Standard available at https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/policy/teaching-assessing-and-reporting-policy.
Students in Western Australia transferring between schools midway through the calendar year must remain enrolled in their current academic year as it appears in the Student Information Records System (SIRS). Schools should search SIRS for all transferring students to confirm their details and academic year.
Email queries regarding a change to academic year for Pre‑primary to Year 10 students to dataservices@scsa.wa.edu.au.
Note: parental approval must be obtained prior to completing the online request; however, the request must be completed by a school representative.
Enrolments
2026 Enrolment and withdrawal timeline – Year 11 and Year 12 students
Contact
Perpetua Joseph (08) 9273 6771
Perpetua.Joseph@scsa.wa.edu.au
Important dates for changes to enrolments in course units in the Student Information Records System (SIRS) for Years 11 and 12 students are published in the 2026 Activities Schedule. The 2026 Activities Schedule is available at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/activities-schedule.
Changes to course enrolment and meeting WACE requirements
Schools must meet the enrolment and withdrawal deadlines published in the 2026 Activities Schedule, as failure to do so may have consequences for students meeting the requirements for achieving the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). Information on meeting requirements is available in Section 7.2 of the WACE Manual 2026 at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.
Before a Year 12 student changes their enrolment, schools should encourage them to use the WACE checker available at https://wacechecker.scsa.wa.edu.au. This tool enables students to determine how changes to their enrolment may affect meeting WACE requirements.
Section 6 of the Data Procedures Manual 2026, available at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/data-procedures-manual, provides a step‑by‑step guide on changing course enrolments for SIRS users.
Summary of key dates for changes to enrolment and withdrawal from courses
Thursday, 2 April 2026
- Final date for changes to ATAR, General, Foundation, Preliminary and VET industry specific courses for Year 12 students
- Final date for changes to ATAR, General and Foundation courses (Units 3 and 4) for Year 11 students.
Friday, 15 May 2026
- Final date for enrolment in year‑long Year 11 courses.
Thursday, 23 July 2026
- Final date for withdrawal from ATAR courses with a practical examination component or a school-based practical examination assessment (SPEA) for Year 12 students.
Monday, 10 August 2026
- Final date for withdrawal from ATAR courses without a practical examination component or a SPEA for Year 12 students
- Final date for withdrawal from General, Foundation, Preliminary and VET industry specific courses for Year 12 students.
2026 Non-school candidate enrolments
Contact
Perpetua Joseph (08) 9273 6771
Perpetua.Joseph@scsa.wa.edu.au
Enrolment as a non‑school candidate to sit Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) course examinations in 2026 close on Thursday, 2 April 2026.
Individuals may enrol to sit an ATAR course examination as non‑school candidate if the individual is:
- seeking entry to university as a mature-age applicant (that is, at least 19 years old as of 1 March 2026), or
- a student who has previously completed Year 12, or
- a Year 12 student undertaking an Interstate Language course examination or a Chinese: First Language course examination or a background Language course examination in French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Punjabi or Tamil where the course is not offered by the school, and the student is enrolled to sit at least three other ATAR course examinations as a school candidate in that year.
Individuals enrolled in an ATAR course examination as a non-school candidate are:
- ineligible for a sickness/misadventure consideration in the event of sickness/misadventure prior to or during the ATAR course examinations
- unable to use the mark from that examination to contribute towards the achievement of an exhibition or award.
Note: marks from an examination where the individual is enrolled as a non-school candidate do not contribute towards meeting the requirements for the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
Further information on non‑school candidature is available in Section 6 of the WACE Manual 2026 at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.
Further information on non‑school candidature in ATAR Language examinations is available at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/sirs-and-srms-info/srms-information/wace-language-applications.
General Information
Recognition of student achievement in Year 11 ATAR course units for Year 10 students in 2028 (Year 8 in 2026)
Contact
Kerry Tarrant (08) 9273 6770
Kerry.Tarrant@scsa.wa.edu.au
Schools may request permission from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority for students entering Year 10 in 2028 (Year 8 in 2026) to have achievements in ATAR course Units 1 and 2 contribute towards the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
As part of the application process, schools must demonstrate how the Year 9 and Year 10 Western Australian Curriculum will be completed and reported on.
Eligible students must be commencing Year 8 in 2026 and be part of a long‑term gifted and talented or an accelerated language program.
The Application for recording of enrolment and achievement in ATAR Units 1 and 2 for students in Year 10 in 2028 (Year 8, 2026) form is available under the ‘Enrolments’ accordion at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/forms/forms.
Email completed application forms to certification@scsa.wa.edu.au by Thursday, 19 November 2026.
Further information is available in Section 7 of the WACE Manual at https://www.scsa.wa.edu.au/publications/wace-manual.