The Australian Greens have called on the Federal Government to back its words with action and resources on the newly-announced National Curriculum for schools.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, says that while the idea of a national curriculum has merit, the proof will be in the Federal Government's commitment to roll out the curriculum properly with appropriate levels of support.

"When it comes to the curriculum that our kids are taught in schools, we can't afford a dud design,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.

"The right design does not just mean finding the right structure of topics and subjects to teach, it also means giving teachers the support they need to provide the best education for young Australians.

"If the Government wants this curriculum in place for the start of the 2010 school year, then it needs to act now to fast-track teacher development so that the people at the frontline of our new education approach will be confident and ready to go.

"Given the timing of the Government's announcement, the Greens expect to see the allocation of enough new funding in this year's Budget to make this curriculum a reality.''