It’s that time of year when Year 8 students start thinking about their Year 9 electives. Your teachers will be raving about their subjects, your friends pressing you to choose the same as them, and your parents stressing as if they are the ones making the decision.
There is a lot to think about when you’re choosing Year 9 electives. Are there so many subjects, you can’t choose? Or do they all sound dull and you’re struggling to find even one you like? Here are some things to think about to help you decide what to pick.
How Year 9 electives work across Australia
Each school operates slightly differently depending on your state and your school, but the structure of Year 9 electives is fairly similar across Australia.
In most states, students must continue with core subjects like English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, and PDHPE in Years 9 and 10. Some schools may also include compulsory Religious Education, Civics, or STEM subjects.
On top of those, you’ll usually get to choose 2 or 3 elective subjects that reflect your personal interests. These Year 9 electives are often studied over two years — either as 100-hour or 200-hour courses depending on your school’s system.
- In NSW, you’ll take compulsory subjects and choose 2–3 electives such as Visual Arts, Drama, Music, Languages, Food Tech, Textiles, Commerce and more. Most electives run across Years 9 and 10.
- In Victoria, you might try more electives in Year 9 before narrowing down in Year 10. Some schools rotate electives by semester to allow for more variety.
- In Queensland, students follow a set curriculum alongside elective choices, with some schools offering VET (Vocational Education and Training) units from Year 10 onward.
- In SA and WA, electives often run on a semester basis, giving students the chance to try a greater range of Year 9 electives before settling into favourites.
- In Tasmania, the ACT and NT students typically choose 2–4 electives, depending on the timetable structure of their school.
Every school is different, so always check your school’s subject selection guide or talk to your Year Adviser to understand what Year 9 electives are available and how they work.
What to consider when choosing your Year 9 electives
It’s completely normal to struggle when narrowing down your electives to just two or three. Start by getting a list of what electives are available and what each one actually involves. Cross off anything that doesn’t interest you, then narrow it down to a shortlist of around 5–7 subjects.
Watch out for double-ups. For example, if you’re interested in PASS, remember you’ll also be doing PDHPE as a core subject. Ask yourself:
- Do I want to do this much PE?
- Will this elective offer something different to the core subject?
- Do I want to continue this subject for the HSC?
This applies to all “double-up” subjects — History, Geography, Maths, PDHPE, and STEM. You don’t have to take an elective in these areas to study them in Years 11 and 12, so crossing them off your list might open space for something new.
Choosing practical electives
Practical or “prac” electives can be a great way to balance out more academic classes. These subjects usually involve hands-on work like cooking, making, designing or performing — though there’s still some theory involved.
Before choosing practical electives, ask yourself:
- Am I ready to do the written work too?
- Have I picked too many prac electives?
- Is one practical subject enough of a break from the rest?
- Are my electives too similar overall?
I loved the practical elective I chose (textiles), but I wish I had picked more!
A note on career-focused electives
Don’t choose a subject purely because you think it might help with a future job. If you don’t enjoy it now, you probably won’t do well in it either. Year 9 electives should reflect what you enjoy. If they also happen to lead to a job later on, that’s just a bonus.
Mix it up
If all your chosen electives are prac-based, try adding something different — like a language or music. These can also be fun, and they help round out your learning experience.
Most importantly: choose subjects that you enjoy, not the ones your friends, teachers or parents think you should do.
You’re not alone in choosing Year 9 electives
Still unsure? You’re not the only one. Here’s what a few Year 9 students said about their elective choices:
“I chose food tech because I thought it would be easy and fun — it’s actually hard work but I love it!” – Ella
“I picked drama even though none of my friends were doing it. I was nervous at first, but now I’ve made a whole new group of friends and it’s my favourite subject.” – Tahlia
“I chose commerce because my older brother said I’d like it. I really don’t, and I wish I picked visual arts instead.” – Jamie
You’re not locked in forever. Most schools allow a swap within the first term if you realise a subject’s not right for you. Whatever you pick now, it’s just the beginning of discovering what you’re into — not the end of the road.
A quick Year 9 electives checklist
If you’re stuck, work through this simple guide:
❏ List all available Year 9 electives at your school
❏ Cross off the definite no’s
❏ Circle the ones that sound fun or interesting
❏ Ask what you’ll actually do in each subject
❏ Check for overlap with core subjects
❏ Include at least one subject that’s a bit different
❏ Choose based on your interests, not anyone else’s
Take your time, ask questions, and remember: choosing Year 9 electives isn’t about having it all figured out, it’s about starting to explore what you enjoy. You’ve got this.
Feature image by cottonbro studio
