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Senior secondary

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​New Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) System

From 2020, the Australian Tertiary Admissin Rank (ATAR) replaces the Overall Position (OP) as the standard pathway to teritary study for Queensland Year 12s.

Key features include of the system include:

  • new and redeveloped QCAA senior syllabuses
  • external assessment in most senior subjects
  • quality assurance processes to strengthen the quality and comparability of  school-based assessment
  • changes to QCE eligibility requirements
  • the introduction of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

Resources available

The Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority (QCAA) has a webpage dedicated to brochures and fact sheets containing all of the relevant information.  This can be accessed at:
The Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) also has a webpage dedicated to the ATAR.  It includes a white paper about inter-subject scaling amongst other resources. This can be accessed at:

Senior course guide

​The Senior Subject Guide​ provides an overview of subjects for students.

Year 10 Curriculum

The Year 10 curriculum provides a link between the Junior and Senior school, helping students to succeed in Year 11 and 12.

​Senior Success Conversations & SET Plan

During Year 9, students undertake JET to support their transition into Senior School. These conversations take place with a key staff member, with the presence of a parent or guardian. 

In Year 10, students undertake a Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan review to update and finalise their learning plans. These experiences help students to make important decisions about their future education, training and employment.

Year 11 and 12 Curriculum

After completing their Year 10 subjects, students enter a range of learning options that contribute to them achieving a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority makes syllabus materials and resources available for students to access on the QCAA website External link.

At the end of Year 12, eligible students will be issued with a Senior Education Profile (SEP) by the QCAA, which includes the following: 

Senior Statement

The Senior Statement is a transcript of a student's learning account. The Senior Statement shows all QCE-contributing studies and the results achieved that may contribute to the award of a QCE. 

Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) 

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is Queensland's senior school qualification, which is awarded to eligible students, usually at the end of Year 12.  

OR

Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA)

The Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) recognises the achievements of students who are on individualised learning programs. To be eligible, students must have impairments or difficulties in learning that are not primarily due to socioeconomic, cultural or linguistic factors.

The QCAA provides the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) with information about student achievement so that the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) can be calculated.

​Vocational Education

Students can complete:

  • school-based apprenticeship or traineeships (SAT)
  • internal and external certificate course
  • work experience.

These are available to all Year 11 and 12 students, and Year 10 students in certain cases. 

School-based apprenticeships and traineeships

Students can enrol in a Certificate study program as a trainee or apprentice in an area of interest to them. This involves attending paid work per week and completing the appropriate training, usually Certificate III level, in most areas of employment.

The length of training may vary depending on the qualification, where most traineeships may be completed within 1-2 years, an apprenticeship will most likely continue beyond Year 12.

More information:

External certificate courses

Senior students may enrol in Certificate III, or IV level programs at various Institutes of TAFE or other providers. There are 1 and 2 year courses which start at the beginning of Year 11—with some 1 year courses available in Year 12. The student's timetable may be adjusted to 5 subjects to help them complete their study obligations.

Students who are interested in certificate training need to:

  • commit to completing the program
  • pay all course costs directly to the training organisation
  • arrange their own transport to and from the external training organisation.

More information:

Work experience

Work experience is available for students in Years 9–12. It allows students to:

  • explore their career options:
    • helps Year 10 students decide on senior school subjects
    • provides Year 11 and 12 students' time to consider their career options before applying to university.

      Students submit an expression of interest form to the Vocational Education and Training Officer. They will finalise the placement contract and organise the necessary Education Queensland insurance documentation. Students must be covered by insurance or they will not be allowed to attend the workplace.

      Information about work experience opportunities are emailed to students and through year level assemblies. It is an advantage if parents and students are able to source possible work placements. 







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Last reviewed 23 July 2025
Last updated 23 July 2025