QUALIFICATIONS DETAILS Back to list
Australia
Name of the qualification in original language
Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education
Translation in English
-
Transliteration in Latin alphabet
-
Awarding body
Each State/Territory have its own agencies.
Total number of years of schooling
13
General requirements for access to higher education
-
EQF level
4
NQF level
It's part of the AQF however currently not referenced to any level.
Grading system
Australian Capital Territory
Subject grades are reported on a 5 point scale from A to E, with A representing the highest level of achievement. Other possible grades generally given in vocational subjects are Pass, Participated, Status and Recognition.ed on the transcript by ‘RPL’. No grade is given.
New South Wales
In Year 11 subject grades are reported on a 5 point scale from A to E, with A representing the highest level of achievement. In Year 12 grades for each subject are divided into one of six bands (see table below). Band 6 indicates the highest level of performance and the minimum standard expected is 50. The ‘average’ performance in most subjects is usually a grade in the mid-70s (Band 4). Band 1 indicates that a student has not met enough of the subject outcomes for a report to be made.
Northern Territory and South Australia
In Year 11 subjects are graded on a 5 point scale from A to E, with A representing the highest level of achievement. In Year 12 equivalent subjects are graded against subject specific performance standards from A+ with merit to E-, with A+ with merit representing the highest level of achievement.
Queensland
Subject grades are reported on a 5 level scale where VHA represents the highest level of achievement (see table below).
Tasmania
Subject grades are reported on a 5 level scale where EA represents the highest level of achievement (see table below). Subjects using competency-based assessment typically have an award of ‘Pass’ or ‘Satisfactory Completion’.
Victoria
Grades are reported on an 11-point scale from A+ to E, UG (Ungraded) or NA. Note that plus (+) is used but minus (–) is not. UG indicates that the score achieved was too low to assign a grade. NA indicates that assessment was not submitted or the exam was not undertaken.
Western Australia
Subject grades are reported on a 5 point scale from A to E, with A representing the highest level of achievement (see table below). Other possible grades generally given in vocational subjects are Pass, Participated, Status and Recognition.
Subject grades are reported on a 5 point scale from A to E, with A representing the highest level of achievement. Other possible grades generally given in vocational subjects are Pass, Participated, Status and Recognition.ed on the transcript by ‘RPL’. No grade is given.
New South Wales
In Year 11 subject grades are reported on a 5 point scale from A to E, with A representing the highest level of achievement. In Year 12 grades for each subject are divided into one of six bands (see table below). Band 6 indicates the highest level of performance and the minimum standard expected is 50. The ‘average’ performance in most subjects is usually a grade in the mid-70s (Band 4). Band 1 indicates that a student has not met enough of the subject outcomes for a report to be made.
Northern Territory and South Australia
In Year 11 subjects are graded on a 5 point scale from A to E, with A representing the highest level of achievement. In Year 12 equivalent subjects are graded against subject specific performance standards from A+ with merit to E-, with A+ with merit representing the highest level of achievement.
Queensland
Subject grades are reported on a 5 level scale where VHA represents the highest level of achievement (see table below).
Tasmania
Subject grades are reported on a 5 level scale where EA represents the highest level of achievement (see table below). Subjects using competency-based assessment typically have an award of ‘Pass’ or ‘Satisfactory Completion’.
Victoria
Western Australia
Subject grades are reported on a 5 point scale from A to E, with A representing the highest level of achievement (see table below). Other possible grades generally given in vocational subjects are Pass, Participated, Status and Recognition.
Period of issue
-
Expiry date
None
Verification information
The delivery of the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, including decisions relating to modified arrangements are the responsibility of state and territory education authorities. For more information please visit the following state and territory education websites.
ACT: www.bsss.act.edu.au
NSW: www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au
NT: NTBOS policies and guidelines - Department of Education
QLD: www.qcaa.qld.edu.au
Tas: www.tasc.tas.gov.au
Vic: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au
Useful links
Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Emplyment - https://www.dese.gov.au/
Comments/Additional Information
Senior secondary education covers Years 11 and 12 and it offers several types of courses which prepare students for future study, employment, and adult life.
The final school-leaving qualification is known generically as the Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12 award), which is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification. Each State/Territory has its own final certificate:
More details about this qualification: