Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system
In 2020, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) replaced the Overall Position (OP) as Queensland's standard pathway to tertiary study for Year 12 students.
The key features of this system include:
- external assessment in General subjects
- quality assurance processes to strengthen the qualtiy and comparability of school-based assessment
- Clear QCE/QCIA eligibility requirements
Resources available
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) provide a range of information and fact sheets outlining the senior school system. These resources are available on the QCAA website.
The Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC) also offers comprehensive information about the ATAR, including a white paper on inter-subject scaling and other supporting rescurces, available on the QTAC website.
Senior Subject Guide
The Senior Subject Guide - For Students Entering Year 11 in 2026 provides an overview of subjects on offer for students in Year 10 in 2026.
Year 10 Curriculum
The Year 10 curriculum serves as a bridge between Junior and Senior School, supporting students to develop the skills and knowledge required for success in Years 11 and 12.
In Semester 1 of Year 10, students continue their subject selections from Year 9. Students then reselect subjects for Semester 2 to better align with their intended future pathway.
Senior Education and Training (SET) Plans
During Year 10, students and their parents/carers participate in two Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan interviews. These interviews support stuents in planning their transition into Senior School, helping them make informed decisions about future education, training and employment pathways, and promoting engagement and success in Years 11 and 12.
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Year 11 and 12 Curriculum
In Years 11 and 12, students engage in a range of learning options that contribute towards the achievement of a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). The QCAA provides syllabus documents and supporting resources for these subjects on the QCAA website.
At the completion of Year 12, eligible students are issued with a Senior Education Profile (SEP) by the QCAA. This profile may include:
Senior Statement
The Senior Statement is an official transcript of a student's learning account. It records all QCE-contributing students and the results achieved, including those that contribute towards the award of a QCE.
Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
The QCE is Queensland's senior school qualification and is typically awarded to eligible students at the end of Year 12.
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Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA)
The QCIA recognises the achievements of students who complete individualised learning programs. It is awarded to students with impairments or learning difficulties that are not primarily due to socioeconomic, cultural, or linguistic factors.
The QCAA provides student achievement data to the Queensland Tertiary Admission Centre (QTAC), enabling the calculation of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).