K-12 Career Learning Framework
The K-12 Career Learning Framework helps students access quality career learning experiences. These experiences inspire students to think about their future education and life choices. They also help students learn how to explore and make good decisions about their careers and lives.
This framework is designed for:
- Senior leaders in schools who plan career education for the whole school and include it in the curriculum
- Curriculum leaders who plan, review, and create career learning programs and strategies
- Careers advisers, transition advisers, and classroom teachers looking to enhance their lessons with career learning
- Local employers, businesses, industry experts, and others who work with schools to support career experiences, pathways, work skills, and enterprise education
- Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA), ‘Australian Blueprint for Career Development’, (ABCD), accessed July 2023
- DESE (Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Skills and Employment) (2019) ‘National Career ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Strategy’, Future Ready: A student focused National Career ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Strategy, DESE, Australian government, accessed February 2021
- DESE (Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Skills and Employment) (2019) ‘Alice Springs (Mparntwe) ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Declaration’, Australian government, accessed February 2021
- ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Council (2020) Looking to the future, Report of the review of senior secondary pathways into work, further education and training, accessed February 2021
- NSW DoE (NSW Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø) (2017) School excellence and accountability, ‘School Excellence Framework’, NSW government, accessed February 2021
- NSW DoE (NSW Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø) (2018) Strategic Plan, ‘Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Strategic Plan 2018 – 2022’, NSW government, accessed December 2020
- NSW DoE (NSW Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø) (2020) New School Success Model, ‘School Success Model’ NSW government, accessed February 2021
- NSW DoE (NSW Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø) (2021) Rural and Remote ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, Rural and Remote ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Strategy 2021 -2021, NSW government, accessed February 2021
- Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (2011), ‘Australian Professional Standards for Teachers’, AITSL, Melbourne, accessed February 2021
- DESE (Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Skills and Employment) (2014) Preparing secondary students for work, ‘Key Elements for Career ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø’, Australian government, accessed 2021 (https://www.dese.gov.au/school-work-transitions Site last modified 2020)
- CICA (Career Industry Council of Australia) (2014) CICA School Career Development Service Benchmarking Resource, ‘School Career Development Resource’, Career Industry Council of Australia, accessed February 2021
When using career learning in curriculum resources in the classroom, it is important for teachers to consider the needs of all students, including and EAL/D learners.
EAL/D learners will require explicit English language support and scaffolding, informed by the Enhanced and the student’s phase on the . Teachers can access information about supporting EAL/D learners and specific to EAL/D learners.
Learning adjustments enable students with disability and additional learning and support needs to access syllabus outcomes and content on the same basis as their peers. Teachers can use a to ensure a personalised approach to student learning.
Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and knowledges using Aboriginal pedagogies and content, can enhance differentiation to achieve improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Targeted strategies can be used to achieve improved outcomes for Aboriginal and, or Torres Strait Islander students.
will help teachers decide which students may benefit from extension and additional challenge. for high potential and gifted learners helps teachers to identify and target areas for growth and improvement. A can be found on the High potential and gifted education website.
Leading career education in your school
The K-12 Career ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Framework and Career Learning professional learning is designed to be used by school leaders, curriculum leaders and careers advisers. The resource aims to inform school communities on the key concepts of the career learning framework and the importance of embedding career learning in all curriculum delivered. ​The resource includes the slides and speaker notes to support the delivery of the professional learning. ​
K-12 framework and career learning professional learning (PPTX 22,561 KB)
Resources supporting schools in implementing the framework to embed career learning activities across the stages of schooling can be accessed through each stage's navigation tiles.
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Career Learning in Curriculum
Career learning is embedded across all stages of schooling, helping students connect classroom experiences with real-world opportunities. Through curriculum-aligned activities, students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence to explore career pathways and make informed decisions about their futures.
Explore curriculum-aligned Career Learning in the Curriculum resources from Stage 1 to Stage 6 that support students in connecting classroom learning with future pathways through meaningful, real-world experiences.