Leaving School in Australia - Year 12 State by State

A guide to Year 12 Certificates and Tertiary Entrance Requirements in Australia
Published by the Board of Studies NSW for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA)


Section 1: New South Wales

Index


 

 

What award does the Board of Studies NSW issue to students on successful completion of study in Years 11 and 12?

Students are awarded the Higher School Certificate to certify satisfactory completion of the required program of study for senior secondary students. (Click on the image to view full screen version):

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What must students do to be awarded the Higher School Certificate?

To be eligible for the award of the Higher School Certificate students must:

(a) have gained the School Certificate or such other qualifications as the Board of Studies considers satisfactory;

(b) have attended a government school, an accredited non-government school, a school outside New South Wales recognised by the Board or a college of TAFE;

(c) have satisfactorily completed courses that comprise the pattern of study required by the Board for the award of the Higher School Certificate;

(d) sit for and make a serious attempt at the requisite Higher School Certificate external examinations.

To qualify for the Higher School Certificate students must satisfactorily complete a Preliminary pattern of study comprising at least 12 units and an HSC pattern of study comprising at least 10 units.

Both patterns must include:
  • at least six units from Board Developed Courses;
  • at least two units of a Board Developed Course in English;
  • at least three courses of two units value or greater (either Board Developed or Board Endorsed Courses);
  • at least four subjects.

To satisfy pattern of study requirements for the Higher School Certificate a student may count a maximum of six Preliminary units and six HSC units from courses in science.

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Which document(s) lists the subjects/courses studied in Year 11 and/or Year 12?

  1. The Higher School Certificate Record of Achievement is a cumulative record of all Preliminary and HSC courses satisfactorily completed. It -

    - records results for all courses that have been satisfactorily completed;

    - is issued at the end of each year during which Preliminary or HSC courses are satisfactorily completed

  2. Course Reports (from 2001) are issued to students for every Board Developed HSC Course (except for Life Skills Courses) they complete in a year.

  3. The Higher School Certificate Result Notice is a cumulative record which lists the courses satisfactorily completed and the results achieved by students not enrolled for the study of that course at an accredited school or a school recognised by the Board. These students may include those studying for the HSC through a coaching college or through self-tuition.

  4. A Certificate is awarded to students in VET courses who successfully complete all requirements of an AQF VET Certificate.

  5. A Statement of Attainment is issued to students in VET courses who partially complete the requirements of an AQF VET Certificate.

    (Click on the image to view full screen version):

1. Higher School Certificate Record of Achievement
2. Course Reports
3. Higher School Certificate Result Notice
4. AQF VET Certificate
5. VET Statement of Attainment

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What advice is given relating to tertiary selection?

The Universities Admission Index (UAI)


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Who issues this?

The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC)


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