Section 2: Tasmania

Syllabuses

The level of complexity of a course is indicated by a level number.  Courses accredited prior to 2007 used a four level system of TCE Level 2, 3, 4 and 5 (5 being the highest level of complexity).  Courses accredited in 2007 and beyond will use a three level system of TQA Level 1, 2 and 3 (3 being the highest level of complexity).

The size of courses is indicated by a design time code:

A design time (50 hours)

B design time (100 hours) and

C design time (150 hours).

Design times indicate the amount of class contact time (or its equivalent) that the majority of students would require to complete the syllabus.

Pre-Tertiary syllabuses

Rules and procedures for tertiary entrance are determined by the University of Tasmania (UTAS). Higher education institutions set the minimum standards they require for entry to particular courses. As part of its partnership with the University of Tasmania, the TQA calculates tertiary entrance scores and converts these to nationally comparable tertiary entrance ranks (TER) using agreed rules and procedures.

Only TCE courses at the highest level of complexity (TCE Level 5/ TQA Level 3) contribute to the calculation of a TER.

An up to date list of all TQA accredited courses that contribute to the calculation of TER can be found in the TQA’s annual Senior Secondary Handbook.  A pdf copy of this handbook can be found on the TQA’s website page:

http://www.tqa.tas.gov.au/1575

School Endorsed syllabuses

All aspects of school endorsed syllabuses are the responsibility of schools.

Syllabuses Developed by Other ACACA Agencies

For subjects with small enrolments the TQA may approve the use of syllabuses developed elsewhere in Australia - for example, some nationally approved Language syllabuses developed under the Collaborative Curriculum and Assessment Framework.

Vocational Education and Training

The Tasmanian Certificate of Education and the TCE Statement of Results record student achievement of accredited Vocational Education and Training courses. For curriculum information regarding Vocational Education and Training and Training Packages see http://www.education.tas.gov.au/vet/students/vocation/workplacelearning

Recognised Learning

A range of Formal Learning qualifications are recognized by the TQA and can be recorded on the TCE. A list of these qualifications can be found at the TQA’s website page: http://www.tqa.tas.gov.au/1689

In 2007 the TQA is piloting a process to recognise Informal (and non-formal) Learning on the TCE. For more information see the TQA’s website page: http://www.tqa.tas.gov.au/1976