Politics and Law learning area contact:

• ATAR

  The Politics and Law ATAR course provides a study of the processes of decision making concerning society’s collective future. It aims to develop the knowledge of the principles, structures, institutions and processes of political and legal systems primarily in Australia. It brings together the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government to demonstrate how society is governed and how each branch of government is held to account. It examines the democratic principles practised in Australia and makes comparisons with other political and legal systems.

  Syllabus

  • ATAR Year 11 Syllabus – For teaching from 2026 (557.2 KB)Last updated: 04 Aug 2026 11:55amAlso available in Word Format (386.1 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 Syllabus – For teaching from 2025 (573.5 KB)Last updated: 04 Aug 2026 11:56amAlso available in Word Format (389.4 KB)

  What's changing

  • ATAR Year 12 Syllabus - For teaching from 2027 (692.1 KB)Last updated: 11 Aug 2026 3:58pmAlso available in Word Format (426.7 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 What's changing - General capabilities (407.3 KB)Last updated: 30 Oct 2025 2:19pmAlso available in Word Format (316.1 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 What's changing - Rationale and Aims (390.8 KB)Last updated: 30 Oct 2025 2:19pmAlso available in Word Format (315.2 KB)

  Grading

  • Grade descriptions in Year 11 syllabus

  • Grade descriptions in Year 12 syllabus

  Support Materials

  • Glossary of key words used in the formulation of questions (381.7 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 11:38amAlso available in Word Format (212.3 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 sample assessment outline (455.2 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pmAlso available in Word Format (347.9 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 sample assessment tasks (595.2 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 2:23pmAlso available in Word Format (391.6 KB)
  • ATAR Year 12 sample course outline (650.2 KB)Last updated: 07 Apr 2026 12:10pmAlso available in Word Format (372.6 KB)
  • ATAR Year 11 sample assessment outline (424.9 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:22pmAlso available in Word Format (355.2 KB)
  • ATAR Year 11 sample assessment tasks (653.4 KB)Last updated: 03 Apr 2025 10:20amAlso available in Word Format (418.1 KB)
  • ATAR Year 11 sample course outline (514.5 KB)Last updated: 16 Dec 2023 1:23pmAlso available in Word Format (375.7 KB)

  Examination Materials

  • 2025 Summary examination report for candidates (252.6 KB)Last updated: 19 Mar 2026 2:28pm
  • 2025 Examination (442.1 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 2:01pm
  • 2025 Marking Key (409.1 KB)Last updated: 28 Jan 2026 2:01pm
  • Additional Past ATAR Course Examinations