Slide 1
Legal Studies
- Understand the law. Question the world. Shape the future.
- Preliminary (Year 11) and HSC (Year 12)
- Brand-new NESA syllabus, first taught in 2027
- Units
- 2 units for each of the Preliminary and HSC courses (Board Developed)
- Exclusions
- Nil
- Group
- Humanities elective — Choose from this group
Syllabus in use · New syllabus (2025) — first taught 2027
The new Legal Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2027, replacing the Legal Studies Stage 6 Syllabus (2009). The Year 11 2027 cohort will be the first to study this new syllabus; the first HSC examination under the new syllabus will be held in 2028. Focus areas are broadly similar to the outgoing course, with important changes to outcomes and content, particularly in Year 12.
Course description
Legal Studies develops students’ knowledge, understanding and critical thinking skills in relation to the legal system and its effectiveness in promoting a just and fair society. In Year 11, students investigate the key processes of Australia’s legal system, from its creation to the current system. In Year 12, students examine the foundations of the domestic and international legal systems, the core principles of the criminal justice system, and Australia’s relationships with other countries.
Course structure
Year 11 Preliminary · 2027
- Basic legal concepts and sources of contemporary Australian law
- Classification of law and law reform
- The individual and the law, including rights, responsibilities and resolving disputes
- Law in practice
Year 12 HSC · 2028
- Crime: the nature of crime, investigation and trial processes, sentencing and punishment
- Human rights: nature, development, promotion and enforcement of human rights
- Two options selected from areas such as consumer law, family law, workplace law or global environmental protection
Students who should consider this course
This course suits students planning further study in law, criminology, justice studies, paralegal studies, conveyancing or political studies.
School-based assessment components
| Component | Weighting % |
|---|---|
| Knowledge and understanding of course content | 40 |
| Analysis and evaluation | 20 |
| Inquiry and research | 20 |
| Communication of legal information, issues and ideas in appropriate forms | 20 |
HSC examination
Under the outgoing 2009 syllabus, the HSC examination is a written paper worth 100 marks (3 hours plus 5 minutes reading time). The examination structure for the new Legal Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2025) will be confirmed by NESA ahead of the first examination in 2028.
Subject presentation
Slide 1 of 12Use ← → keys, or click a slide
Legal Studies — Subject Selection 2027–2028, a subject information session for Year 10 students (HSIE Department).
Text transcript of the slides (12 slides)
Slide 2
What is Legal Studies?
- “Law touches every part of life — from the phone contract you sign, to how our country responds to global crises.”
- Legal Studies is the study of law and justice in Australia and the world — how laws are made, how they are used, and how they shape everyday life.
- Real cases, real issues — investigate genuine court cases, current events and legal controversies.
- Law vs justice — explore the difference between what the law says and what is fair.
- How change happens — discover how laws are created, applied, enforced and reformed.
Slide 3
Why study Legal Studies?
- Think critically — weigh evidence, evaluate arguments and reach well-justified conclusions on real issues.
- Become an active citizen — understand your rights and responsibilities so you can engage confidently with society.
- Explore the real world — examine issues from crime and human rights to family, housing and the workplace.
- Open career doors — build skills valued in law, criminology, government, business, media and beyond.
Slide 4
New syllabus — you’ll be part of the first cohort
- NESA has completely redesigned the Legal Studies course. Students who choose it now will be among the very first in NSW to study the new syllabus.
- 2026 — planning and preparation. 2027 Term 1 — Year 11 begins. 2027 Term 4 — Year 12 begins. 2028 — first HSC examination.
- Your class of 2027–2028 helps shape how this course is taught for years to come.
Slide 5
Year 11 (Preliminary): four focus areas
- All students complete the same four focus areas, building the foundations of legal literacy.
- 1. Investigating the Law — how our legal system works, and where laws come from.
- 2. Disputes Under the Law — how conflicts are resolved, in and out of the courtroom.
- 3. Changing the Law — how and why laws change to reflect society over time.
- 4. Experiences With the Law — how different people and groups experience the legal system.
Slide 6
Year 12 (HSC): core plus options
- Core, studied by everyone: The Criminal Justice System; International Relations and Human Rights.
- Options — your school selects from: Consumer Law; Family Law; Housing Law; Peace, Conflict and the Law; Workplace Law.
- Two mandatory core areas build your foundations in criminal justice and human rights. Your school then offers a selection of the option topics to add depth in areas that interest you.
Slide 7
Skills you’ll build
- Knowledge and understanding — a solid grasp of legal concepts, structures and how the law is created and applied in Australia.
- Analysis and evaluation — weigh up evidence and differing viewpoints to judge how effective and fair the law really is.
- Legal inquiry and research — investigate real legislation, cases and media to build well-evidenced arguments.
- Communication — explain legal ideas clearly and persuasively, in writing and out loud, using proper legal language.
Slide 8
How you’ll be assessed
- The same four weightings apply across both Year 11 and Year 12: Knowledge and understanding 40%; Analysis and evaluation 20%; Inquiry and research 20%; Communication 20%.
- Schools design the tasks — NESA sets the weightings; your school chooses the number and style of tasks (e.g. essays, source-based questions, research tasks).
- A formal exam is required — both Year 11 and Year 12 assessment programs must include a formal written examination.
- Typical structure — sample NESA programs suggest around 3 tasks in Year 11 and 4 tasks in Year 12.
Slide 9
Where can it take you?
- Law and legal practice — solicitor, barrister, paralegal, legal support roles.
- Criminology and justice — police, corrections, forensics, criminal justice research.
- Government and policy — public service, policy advice, diplomacy, advocacy.
- Human rights and NGOs — international relations, human rights and aid organisations.
- Business and compliance — contracts, workplace relations, risk and compliance.
- Journalism and media — legal affairs reporting, communications, advocacy campaigns.
Slide 10
Is Legal Studies right for you?
- No prerequisites — anyone can choose Legal Studies. You do not need to have studied law-related electives before, just curiosity about how the world works.
- You’ll enjoy this subject if you like debating and forming arguments, reading about current events and news, understanding how society works, and solving real, messy problems.
- Pairs brilliantly with English (sharpens persuasive writing and analysis), History and Business Studies (shared focus on society, government, institutions and change), and PDHPE and Economics (rights, wellbeing and how systems affect people).
Slide 11
Your journey
- 2026 — choose your subjects: select Legal Studies for Year 11.
- 2027 — Year 11 Preliminary: four focus areas build your legal foundations.
- 2027–28 — Year 12 HSC: core topics plus options that interest you.
- 2028 and beyond — sit your HSC exam, then university, TAFE or work.
Slide 12
Ready to choose? Next steps
- Talk to your teachers — chat with your HSIE / Legal Studies teacher about the new course.
- Check your subject form — add Legal Studies to your Year 11 subject selection.
- Ask questions now — it’s a brand-new syllabus and we’re happy to answer anything.