At the end of Year 12, students who successfully complete their Year 11 and 12 studies will be eligible for the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
To be awarded a QCE, students must complete a minimum of 20 credit points from a combination of courses including:
- Core - the senior school subjects most student's study
- preparatory—can include vocational education and training (VET) courses
- enrichment—courses that develop high level skills and knowledge in a specific area
- advanced—can include university courses and diploma or advance diploma programs.
Students must also meet minimum literacy and numeracy requirements.
For greater detail regarding credit points, please visit the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority website at
QCE Credit & Duplication of Learning
Applied subjects and VET Qualifications
Applied subjects and Certificate II VET qualifications that have similar subject matter and learning goals (as determined by QCAA) are considered duplication of learning as outlined in the following table. Therefore, QCE credits are not awarded for all learning.
Applied subjects and VET qualifications with duplication of learning and QCE credit
| Applied Subject | VET Qualification | Max QCE Credit |
Dance in Practice
| CUA20113 Certificate II in Dance | 4 |
Fashion
| MST20616 Certificate II in Applied Fashion Design and Technology | 4 |
| Furnishing Skills | MSM20516 Certificate II in Furniture Making Pathways | 4 |
| Hospitality Practices | SIT20316 Certificate II in Hospitality | 4 |
| Industrial Technology Skills | MSM20216 Certificate II in Manufacturing Technology | 4 |
| Information & Communication Technology | ICT20115 Certificate II n Information, Digital Media & Technology | 4 |
| Sport & Recreation | SIS20115 Certificate II in Sport and Recreation | 4 |
Visual Arts in Practice
| CUA20715 Certificate II in Visual Arts | 4
|
For most students, by the end of Year 12, you need
Literacy tick + Numeracy tick = Pass at least one
semester of any English + one semester of any Maths
20 Credits = Pass 3 subjects all the way through (12
Credits) + 8 Credits from any combo of subjects (1 Credit = 1 semester passed)
QCAA credit table
A variety of learning contributes to a QCE including Core Studies, Preparatory Studies, Enrichment Studies and Advanced Studies.
The majority of learning is normally conducted within a school setting but learning completed outside of school may contribute towards the QCE. These include such things as a school based apprenticeship or traineeship, a 1 semester university course, Music and Dance studies and many other community based learning.
The following table is a summary of the credit table Refer to QCE Pathways for full credit table that identifies learning that may be undertaken.
CORE |
Normal school subjects |
At least 12 credits. |
Authority Subjects and
Authority Registered Subjects
Certificate II, III, or IV qualifications
School-Based apprenticeships |
4
Certificate II - 4
Certificate III, IV - 5 to 8
Certificate III competencies - 2
On the job component - 4 |
PREPARATORY |
Often completed before core
courses |
Maximum of 6 Credits |
VET Certificate I
Refer to QCE Pathways for other courses generally not offered by WSHS |
Maximum of 2 Qualifications - 2
or 3 |
ENRICHMENT |
Complement Core courses of
study |
Maximum of 8 Credits |
Recognized courses such as
Music, Dance Academy, etc Community or workplace projects.
Refer to HOD Senior Secondary. |
As determined by QCAA
Usually 1 or 2 credits as determined by QCAA |
ADVANCED |
Go beyond Senior secondary
schooling |
Maximum of 8 Credits |
One or two semester University
subject
Competencies leading to Diplomas
Recognised certificates and awards |
2 credits each semester subject
1 credit per competency
As determined by QCAA |
Recognised studies
A wide variety of Recognised Studies may also contribute to a QCE. Many can be studied as part of a school program or outside the normal school program. The link refers to a QCAA site because the list is updated regularly.
A variety of informative presentations provided by QCAA assist students and parents better understand the processes and procedures underpinning the QCE.
Senior at Wavell State High School
At Wavell SHS, students would normally study a combination of 6 subjects or Certificate II or higher courses. Successful completion of these, including English and Mathematics, earns a student 24 credits and is thus eligible for a QCE.