If you’re a new Year 12 student (or parent of one), you may have already heard that PDHPE is being replaced by Health and Movement Science (HMS). The first HMS HSC exam is set for October 2026.
So how big is this shift, and what does it mean for students. The new Health and Movement Science syllabus is designed to reflect modern research and real-world practice. While PDHPE had a strong focus on health promotion and sport, HMS takes a more scientific, analytical, and skills-based approach. This update ensures students don’t just learn about health and movement, they learn how to investigate, problem-solve, and apply evidence to issues that matter in Australia and around the world.
Key Differences Students Will Notice:
1. A stronger Focus on Skills
HMS places greater emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, creative problem-solving, research, and communication.
This means students will be rewarded for their ability to analyse, investigate, and present findings, not just memorise content. HSC CoWorks has created a bank of questions for students to develop the skills that they will be assessed and examined on.
2. Depth Studies & Investigations
Students will complete structured Depth Studies where they explore topics in detail.
- Year 11 includes a Collaborative Investigation and at least two Depth Studies.
- Year 12 requires at least two Depth Studies, one of which is formally assessed.
This mirrors the inquiry-based learning students will face at university and in professional fields like exercise physiology, physiotherapy, or public health.
3. New Content Focus Areas
Instead of the old PDHPE topics, HMS is organised around four focus areas:
Year 11:
- Health for Individuals and Communities
- The Body and Mind in Motion
Year 12:
- Health in an Australian and Global Context
- Training for Improved Performance
This structure links directly to real-world issues, from global health inequities to elite sports science. A lot of this content was included in the PDHPE syllabus however it has been updated to match the development in both the global health landscape as well as the current technologies and methodologies used to assess and improve performance.
4. Assessment Changes
The HSC exam will remain a 3-hour written test worth 100 marks, but every student will sit the same compulsory paper, no optional sections. Expect more integrated, skill-based questions where students will need to show they can apply knowledge to new scenarios, case studies, or data.
5. A Shift Away from “Sport”
Perhaps the biggest change: HMS is largely theory-based. While PDHPE often leaned into practical sport and performance, HMS is about understanding health and movement through science and investigation. Students considering careers in sports science, medicine, or allied health will find this particularly valuable.
What Students (and Parents) CAN Do
- Get Familiar with the Syllabus: This is the first step in developing the appropriate skills required for success in this subject.
- Think Big Picture: See HMS not just as a subject, but as preparation for the skills most valued in the future workforce: adaptability, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
What HSC COWORKS IS DOING
- Internal training with PDHPE coaches.
- Collaboration with our PDHPE Teachers who are currently teaching for NSW schools.
- Developing skill based and case study related questions and resources.
So in summary, the transition from PDHPE to Health and Movement Science is a shift in how health and movement will be taught, learned, and applied. For students, this means more opportunities to engage deeply, think critically, and prepare for careers in a fast-changing world.
Sarah Gardiner
Business Manager HSC CoWorks
