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 2 – Subjects and Courses

Throughout Australia the terms subject and course are used differently. When considering interstate programs, check with the local glossary and use of the term in each state to ensure that meaningful comparisons are made.

Some subjects (or courses) are studied in Years 11 and 12, others in Year 11 or 12. This is indicated on the issued certificates/records of achievement when students leave school.

Most states and territories have a specific program of study or package of subjects that must be studied for eligibility for a certificate. Refer to the websites of the relevant Boards of Studies for details. These may be accessed through www.acaca.org.au

Higher education institutions in each state and territory specify the combinations of subjects or courses and in some cases the prerequisites that can be used for tertiary entrance purposes. Contact the local Tertiary Admission Centre in the state/territory of choice for university study for details.

Subjects and courses are allotted a certain number of hours of school time for study. For example, in NSW a two unit course consists of approximately 120 hours school time; in Victoria a unit is one semester of 100 hours with 50-60 hours of formal class time.

However, when comparing subjects, courses and units, in addition to time allocation, syllabus content, teaching techniques and assessment methods must also be considered.

What categories of subjects/courses are available for study in the senior secondary school credentialling program in each State or Territory?