The Australian curriculum would face a sweeping overhaul under a Coalition education proposal that removes three cross-curriculum priorities—Indigenous history and culture, sustainability, and Asia and Australia’s engagement with the region—while centering instruction on Western values, national pride, and school discipline.
Shadow education minister Julian Leeser revealed the plan during a speech at an education conference in Sydney on Saturday, September 19, 2026. According to the proposal, the three cross-curriculum priorities, which currently enrich subjects like English, history, and science, would be removed because they lack dedicated subject-matter expertise. Instead, the Coalition wants these topics taught as discrete, planned subjects alongside an emphasis on British foundations, multicultural character, and Western culture.
Curriculum Priorities and Western Values
Under the proposed changes, the cross-curriculum priorities would no longer be embedded across multiple classes. Leeser argued that teachers of maths, science, or history should not have to worry about incorporating those additional elements. The plan also mandates that every school display an Australian flag to foster national pride.
The policy follows recent international and national data releases. Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results released earlier in September showed Australian 15-year-olds dropped to their worst-ever results for maths and reading. Nationwide NAPLAN results released the previous month showed one in three students failing to meet literacy and numeracy benchmarks, alongside persistent classroom disruption.
Did You Know? The Programme for International Student Assessment results released earlier in September 2026 showed that Australian 15-year-olds are now two and a half years behind teenagers who went to school at the turn of the millennium.
Discipline and Teacher Pipelines
To address classroom behavior and falling academic performance, the Coalition policy proposes streamlining pathways for mid-career Australians and military veterans to enter the teaching profession. Leeser suggested that Australian Defence Force veterans could help improve classroom discipline.
The opposition policy also aims to tackle screen time and artificial intelligence use in schools while lifting educational outcomes for boys. Furthermore, Leeser criticized Labor’s approach to education funding, stating that the Coalition supports all schools rather than public schools exclusively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific parts of the Australian curriculum would be removed under the Coalition plan?
The Coalition plan would remove three cross-curriculum priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture, sustainability, and Australia’s engagement with Asia.
Who announced the education reform proposal?
Shadow education minister Julian Leeser announced the plan during a speech at an education conference in Sydney on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
What measures does the Coalition propose to address classroom behavior?
The policy proposes addressing student behavior by streamlining pathways for mid-career Australians to become teachers and exploring options to help Australian Defence Force veterans enter the profession to bolster discipline.
How will these proposed curriculum changes alter the daily classroom experience for Australian students and teachers?
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