Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system
From 2020, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) replaces the Overall Position (OP) as the standard pathway to tertiary study for Queensland Year 12s.
Key features 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 via the QCAA website.
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 via the QTAC website.
Subject Selection
Students in Year 10 to 12 study mandatory and elective Australian Curriculum Subjects. Students are able to choose four elective subjects to compliment the mandatory subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, History and Health and Physical Education. Extension classes are available for English, Mathematics and Science.
The table below outlines the set program for students in Year 10.
Subject studied Year long
|
- English or
English Extension
|
- Mathematics or
Mathematics Extension
|
-Science or
Science Extension
|
|---|
Subject studied for 1 semester only
| - History
| - Health & Physical Education
|
|---|
Elective subjects
studied for 1 semester each
Choice of
4 subjects
| - Dance
- Drama
- Music
- Visual Arts
- Media Arts
- Economics and Business
- Geography
| - Civics and Citizenship (Legal Studies)
- Italian* (year long elective)
- Digital Technologies
- Food Specialisations
- Materials & Technology Specialisations
- Engineering Principles & Systems
|
|---|
Access
| Student wellbeing lesson, studied once a week in all year levels
|
|---|
Interschool and
Recreational Sport
| Thursday afternoon, during Session 4
|
|---|
The Senior Secondary Course Guide provides details regarding subject offerings for Year 10, as well as result recommendations related to Extension and elective subjects. Details regarding the progression of learning from Year 10 - 12 is included as well as the Year 11 subjects on offer for 2023, the recommended Year 10 subjects and results for success in these subjects. This guide will be updated annually in Term 2 to reflect subjects on offer for the following year.
Senior Learning and Assessment Policy
The Senior Learning and Assessment Policy is developed from the QCE and QCIA policy and procedures handbook and applies to students in Years 10-12. This document contains information and policies regarding the submission of assessment (drafts and finals), Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA), supporting documentation required in instances of illness or misadventure, academic integrity and more. 
Senior Learning and Assessment Policy 2023.pdf (PDF, 576 KB)