For the first time next year, HSC students will learn about pre-1788 Aboriginal history in the same way they are taught ancient Greek and Roman history, in a move described as long overdue.

A new unit called '"Ancient Australia" being added to the ancient history syllabus for incoming year 11 students will give them a chance to investigate ancient artefacts and sites in their local area.

"It's about students understanding that we do have an ancient history in Australia as well," senior curriculum officer at the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Emmanuel Karayiannis said.

The modern history syllabus has also been amended to include a unit called "Making Change: Day of Mourning to Mabo", which will teach students about significant people and events.

A NESA spokeswoman said "lots of people" have pointed to the gaps in existing syllabuses.

"These things take time," she said. "It's great that it's here now, and to be able to offer it with that level of focus."

Enrolments in another course, Aboriginal studies, which was introduced for the first time in 2011 and focuses on social justice and the historical and modern experiences of Aboriginal people, have grown steadily, from 379 students in its first year to 551 in 2016.

Ochlan Parsons-King, a year 12 student at Chifley College Bidwill Campus who is doing Aboriginal studies for his HSC, said he only knew the very basic history of his people before he started the subject.

"I wanted to understand more about my culture and who my people are," Ochlan said.

"It should be focused on more. Everyone should know about what's going on with Aboriginal people, how we're still being discriminated against to this day."

A new teaching resource developed by the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group has been introduced in primary schools this week to mark the 50th anniversary of the landmark 1967 referendum and address gaps in knowledge and misconceptions that continue to plague children and adults.

"I think we have been pretty invisible in curriculums in the past," the group's president Cindy Berwick said.

"It's improving ... but there's a pretty common misconception that the referendum gave Aboriginal people the right to vote."

Launching the new resources, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Sarah Mitchell said her own limited exposure to Aboriginal history in primary and high school reflects the experience of most students.

"The feedback I get is that it's not widely taught enough," Mrs Mitchell said.

"I do remember learning bits and pieces around the edge, but probably not to the level of detail that I should have learnt.

"They're pretty heavy concepts but I think, particularly when kids are in primary school, to understand those basic parts of our history and to appreciate how lucky we are to be in a country like Australia, and how important it is to make sure we have that respect for our Aboriginal community and their significance is really important."

Much of the learning gap comes down to teachers' fears about making a mistake, Ms Berwick said.

"Generally by and large, teachers have a fear of not teaching the right thing, so the fact that it's actually put out by Aboriginal people perhaps gives them the confidence to be able to teach it appropriately," she said.

Ms Berwick said instilling this knowledge and respect at an early age is crucial in making sure Aboriginal perspectives are intrinsic in policymaking.

"Hopefully everybody becomes a more informed citizen so that when referendums happen and if [children] ever get into positions of influence, they're more inclusive of Aboriginal people and our point of view when they make policies and practices."