In the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, maths is written in levels rather than school years. Level 6 is what most children work on in Year 6, their last year of primary school.[1] It has 24 content descriptions across six strands: Number, Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability.[1]
This page puts all 24 in plain English. If a report, worksheet or learning app mentions a code like VC2M6N07, you'll find it below. For how the curriculum works overall, see our guide to the Victorian Curriculum 2.0.
The big ideas in Year 6
The VCAA's achievement standard describes what a student should be able to do by the end of Level 6.[1] In short, Year 6 is about:
- Negative numbers. Using integers on a number line and a full four-quadrant grid.
- Fractions, decimals and percentages working together. Adding fractions with any denominators, all four operations with decimals, and finding a percentage of an amount.
- Early algebra. Finding unknowns in equations with brackets, and the rules behind growing patterns.
- Measurement with reasons. The rectangle area formula, unit conversions, elapsed time and angle facts.
- Thinking critically about data. Comparing data sets and questioning statistics in the media.
All 24 Year 6 maths topics, explained
The descriptions below are in our words. The official wording is on the VCAA's website.[1]
Number
| Code | What your child learns |
|---|---|
| VC2M6N01 | Use negative numbers (integers) in real situations, including money, and place them on a number line and a coordinate grid. |
| VC2M6N02 | Recognise prime, composite, square and triangular numbers and use their properties to solve problems. |
| VC2M6N03 | Compare and order common fractions, such as halves, thirds and quarters, on one number line, and explain the order. |
| VC2M6N04 | Add and subtract decimals using place value, and check with estimation. |
| VC2M6N05 | Add and subtract fractions by first making equivalent fractions. |
| VC2M6N06 | Multiply and divide decimals by 10, 100, 1000 and their multiples without a calculator. |
| VC2M6N07 | Find a fraction, decimal or percentage of an amount, including percentage discounts. |
| VC2M6N08 | Estimate answers to problems with fractions, decimals and percentages. |
| VC2M6N09 | Use maths to model and solve real problems with fractions, decimals and percentages, including money, and justify the choices made. |
Algebra
| Code | What your child learns |
|---|---|
| VC2M6A01 | Find and use the rule behind growing patterns, including number patterns with fractions and decimals. |
| VC2M6A02 | Find unknown values in equations with brackets and more than one operation. |
| VC2M6A03 | Design step-by-step algorithms that use a rule to generate a set of numbers, and explain the pattern. |
Measurement
| Code | What your child learns |
|---|---|
| VC2M6M01 | Convert between metric units of length, mass and capacity, using decimals (1.25 kg is 1250 g). |
| VC2M6M02 | Work out why the area of a rectangle is length × width, and use that to solve practical problems. |
| VC2M6M03 | Calculate elapsed time and read timetables and itineraries. |
| VC2M6M04 | Use angle facts (angles on a straight line, angles at a point, vertically opposite angles) to find unknown angles. |
Space
| Code | What your child learns |
|---|---|
| VC2M6SP01 | Compare the cross-sections of objects and connect them to right prisms. |
| VC2M6SP02 | Plot points in all four quadrants of a coordinate grid, and describe how coordinates change when a point moves. |
| VC2M6SP03 | Combine slides, flips and turns to make tessellations and other patterns. |
Statistics
| Code | What your child learns |
|---|---|
| VC2M6ST01 | Compare two sets of data side by side using mode, range and shape. |
| VC2M6ST02 | Spot arguments in the media that use statistics, and question how the data was collected and shown. |
| VC2M6ST03 | Plan and run a statistical investigation, refining the question as they go, and report the findings. |
Probability
| Code | What your child learns |
|---|---|
| VC2M6P01 | Describe probability as a fraction, decimal or percentage on a scale from 0 to 1 (or 0% to 100%). |
| VC2M6P02 | Run chance experiments and simulations with more and more trials, and compare the results with what they expected. |
Where children often get stuck
- Unrelated denominators. In Year 5, a half plus a quarter was enough. In Year 6, a third plus a quarter needs twelfths. Finding a common denominator is the step to practise.
- Moving the decimal point. "Add a zero" works for 4 × 10 but not for 4.5 × 10. Showing that digits move place value columns fixes the misunderstanding.
- Percentages of amounts. 20% off $80 is $16 off, so the price becomes $64. Kids often stop at $16.
- Angle reasoning. Finding a missing angle means saying why it's that size: "angles on a straight line add to 180°."
How to help at home
- Go shopping with percentages. Work out sale prices together, then check with the receipt.
- Cook with conversions. Recipes in grams and millilitres are great practice for converting units with decimals.
- Plan a trip. Use a real timetable to work out how long a journey takes, including changes.
- Talk about numbers in the news. "Is that graph fair?" is a Year 6 statistics question.
- Fill gaps before Year 7. High school maths builds fast on fractions, decimals and negative numbers. A gap here is much cheaper to fix now.
Looking ahead
Level 7 takes these ideas into area of triangles and parallelograms, volume of prisms, and more formal algebra.[1] If your child might sit the selective entry exam in Year 8, Year 6 maths is the foundation for it. Our selective entry guide explains the exam, and the SEAL vs selective entry guide covers accelerated programs that start in Year 7. Missed something from last year? See Year 5 maths.
Year 6 maths, mapped to every code
Study Compass teaches Year 6 maths topic by topic, each tied to its Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code, with Year 5 foundations for any gaps. A short starting check shows where your child is.
Start freeSources
- VCAA, Mathematics Version 2.0: F–10 curriculum (Level 6 and Level 7 content descriptions and achievement standards). https://victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au/mathematics/mathematics-version-2-0/curriculum/f-10 (accessed 9 October 2026).
Rules, dates and formats change. Always check the official source before making a decision. Study Compass isn't affiliated with or endorsed by ACARA, the VCAA, ACER or the Victorian Department of Education.