Background: Despite education discourses promoting risk-taking as a positive character trait, Australia has been identified as one of the most risk-averse countries in the developed world. This begs the question, why are Australians so risk averse? One reason may be a lack of common language and understanding of risk-taking and an absence of risk-taking culture in Australian educational settings.

Aims: To understand how risk-taking is/is not included in Australian curriculum documentation and introduce the terms pedagogical risk-taking and pedagogies of courage as a framework for helping build a culture of risk-taking in educational settings.

Method: Document analysis of the Early Years Learning Framework and the Victorian Curriculum.

Results: The analysis reveals some positive inclusions and concerning silences regarding the terms risk, risky play and risk-taking; e.g., risky play for children is encouraged in the Early Years Learning Framework but there is no evidence of this in the Victorian Curriculum. There is no evidence of promoting risk-taking for educators.

Conclusions: Common language and shared understanding will enable a culture of risk-taking in Australian educational contexts – and provide a solid foundation for Australians to become courageous contributors to a socially just society.

Implications for children and families: You will benefit by having a deeper understanding of risk-taking in educational contexts, thus helping you to develop risk-taking skills and courage that will be beneficial throughout your life.

Implications for practitioners: You will have a common language to use with children and families so that you can work together to develop risk-taking skills and courage for children and in your own professional practice.

Key words: education, innovation, well-being, risk, brave, courageous, agency, transformation

This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goals