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: South Australia


 

 


What categories of subjects/courses are available for study in the senior secondary school credentialling program in South Australia?

From 2002, there will be five main types of subjects studied:

  • Stage 1 Subjects

  • Stage 2 HESS* General Subjects

  • Stage 2 HESS* Restricted Subjects

  • Stage 2 SSABSA – VET (HESS Restricted) Subjects

  • Stage 2 Non-HESS Subjects

*Higher Education Selection Subjects.STAGE 1 SUBJECTS

 

STAGE 1 SUBJECTS

Subjects accredited by the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia

Duration

Stage 1 (Year 11)

Accepted for tertiary entrance?

No

No. of units/length of study time

1 unit/50 to 60 hours

2 units/100 to 120 hours

Assessment methods

Moderated school-based assessment

Developed by

SSABSA

Delivered by

Schools


STAGE 2 SUBJECTS

HESS General Subjects

Duration

Stage 2 (Year 12)

Accepted for tertiary entrance? Yes, in the category of HESS General, subjects are accepted as having full HESS status by all three South Australian universities.
No. of units/length of study time 2 units/100 to 120 hours
Assessment methods Assessed on the basis of at least 30% weighting for a common assessment component (externally marked) and up to 70% weighting for a moderated school-based assessment component.
Developed by SSABSA
Delivered by Schools

 

HESS Restricted Subjects

Duration

Stage 2 (Year 12)

Accepted for tertiary entrance? Yes, in the category of HESS Restricted, subjects are accepted for entry into some courses. One full-year (or 2 x 1-unit) HESS Restricted subject can be included by students wishing to enter courses at all three South Australian Universities.
No. of units/length of study time

1 unit/50 to 60 hours

2 units/100 to 120 hours

Assessment methods Assessed on the basis of 30% weighting for a common assessment component (moderated) and 70% weighting for moderated school-based assessment
Developed by SSABSA
Delivered by Schools

 

SSABSA – VET (HESS Restricted) Subjects

Duration

Stage 2 (Year 12)

Accepted for tertiary entrance? Yes – Option B only
No. of units/length of study time

2 units/100 to 120 hours

Assessment methods Moderated school-based assessment component conducted by schools, and competency-based assessment conducted by schools under the auspices of a registered training organisation.
Developed by SSABSA
Delivered by Schools under the auspices of a registered training organisation.


Non-HESS Subjects

(Community Studies Subjects, SSABSA-VET Subjects (Option A), Languages Alternative Pathway Subjects)

Duration

Stage 2 (Year 12)

Accepted for tertiary entrance? No
No. of units/length of study time

1 unit/50 to 60 hours

2 units/100 to 120 hours

Assessment methods Moderated school-based assessment component.
Developed by SSABSA
Delivered by Schools

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