Victoria’s Curriculum and Standards Framework (CSF) recognizes that the boundaries between phases of student development are variously defined.

CSF levels have been grouped in three broad stages to reflect changing priorities over the first eleven years of schooling. CSF Levels 4-5 are associated with Years 5-8, however this grouping is not intended to constrain schools as they develop their own approaches to curriculum organization and delivery. Department of Education, Employment and Training (DEET) programs and publications refer to the Middle Years as Years 5-9.

The flexibility and range of options provided at levels 4 and 5 of the CSF allows for different organizational arrangements, grouping practices, core-option approaches, integrated curriculum and vertical and block timetabling — all approaches typically used to encourage students to exercise choices or explore different emphases within and across the key learning areas.