HSC Legal Studies past exams 2017–2025, by year and topic

Human Rights (Core) · 11 mapped questions

Also in this topic: Meaning of human rights (nature, types, universal, indivisible, inalienable) · Development of human rights (historical, religious, philosophical, legal origins) · Promoting and enforcing human rights (state sovereignty, UN mechanisms, courts and tribunals, NGOs, media) · Investigating issues that may affect the recognition/enforcement of human rights (self-determination, use of technology, resource management, cultural relativism vs universalism) · Promoting and enforcing human rights in a contemporary issue — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

Crime (Core) · 12 mapped questions

Also in this topic: The nature of crime (meaning of crime, elements — actus reus/mens rea, categories, parties to a crime, factors affecting criminal behaviour) · The criminal investigation process (police powers, arrest and charge, bail, remand, court jurisdiction) · Criminal trial process (adversarial system, legal personnel, jury, defences and burden/standard of proof, dispute resolution methods) · Sentencing and punishment (statutory and judicial guidelines, purposes, factors, appeals, alternative methods of sentencing) · Young offenders, international crime, and the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in achieving justice — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

Consumers (Option) · 1 mapped question

Also in this topic: Nature of consumer protection and the law (rights and responsibilities of buyers and sellers) · Contracts (consumer credit, unconscionable conduct) · Dispute resolution mechanisms (Fair Trading, NCAT, ACCC) · Contemporary issues (credit and technology, product certification, marketing innovations) — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

Family (Option) · 2 mapped questions

Also in this topic: Nature of family law (defining family, changing nature of the family) · Legal requirements of marriage and other relationships · Children in the family (parental responsibility, care and protection) · Contemporary issues (surrogacy, birth technologies, domestic violence) — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

Indigenous Peoples (Option) · 1 mapped question

Also in this topic: Recognition and enforcement of the rights of Indigenous peoples · Responses to Indigenous Peoples' rights (native title, land rights legislation) · Role of the state and federal governments and the courts · Contemporary issues (intellectual property and cultural rights) — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

Workplace (Option) · 1 mapped question

Also in this topic: Nature of employment relationships and sources of workplace law · Responses to workplace issues (industrial disputes, discrimination) · Role of state and federal governments and dispute resolution mechanisms · Contemporary issues (leave, termination of employment, discrimination) — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

World Order (Option) · 1 mapped question

Also in this topic: Nature of world order (state sovereignty, the international community) · Responses to world order (UN, treaties, alliances) · Promoting and maintaining world order (Australia's federal role) · Contemporary issues (responsibility to protect, rules of hostilities, peace and conflict resolution) — question-level mapping in progress; the year table above links every official paper.

The rest of the syllabus

Question-level mapping for these areas is still being verified. Every official paper covering them is in the year table above.

• Global Environmental Protection (Option) — Nature of the environment and ecologically sustainable development · Responses (state, federal, and international legal mechanisms) · Global environment protection mechanisms (UN, treaties, NGOs) · Contemporary issues (resource demand vs environmental protection, transboundary harm)
• Shelter (Option) — Nature of shelter and legal requirements for adequate housing · Responses to problems of access to shelter (tenancy law, social housing) · Government and non-government organisations · Contemporary issues (affordability, discrimination, homelessness)