The QCE Achievement Awards were introduced in 2014 to recognise and reward Queensland's top-performing students for outstanding academic achievement in their senior school studies.
Distinguished Academic Achievers
This award is for the students who, in being awarded a QCE, demonstrate exceptionally high achievement across a diverse range of learning options.
The selection panel will consider this information, along with any other achievement information recorded in each student’s learning account, to determine the award recipients.
The number of awards conferred will vary from year to year, depending on the selection panel’s determination of an appropriate cut-off between the top students and the remainder of the pool. In most years, the number will be below 30.
Prize: Trophy and prize money
From 2014 to 2019, the following criteria were used to determine the shortlist of students:
- an OP 1
- an A on the QCS Test
- Very High Achievements in at least 20 semesters of Authority subjects
- additional tertiary entrance information, including QCS Test performance
- additional level of achievement information
- total QCE credit, including credit achieved for Authority subjects, university subjects, VET diplomas and advanced diplomas.
Also included were the two students who achieved the:
- greatest total of QCE credit, including 8 credits of Advanced learning
- greatest total credit in Authority subjects at Very High Achievement level.
Outstanding Academic Achiever
This premier award is for the student in the final list of Distinguished Academic Achievers whose achievements the selection panel considers best meet the criteria for that award.
Typically only one winner will be selected. In circumstances where two students cannot be separated, an additional award may be conferred.
Prize: Trophy and prize money
Highest Achievement by an Aboriginal Student or Torres Strait Islander Student
This award is for the highest achieving Aboriginal Student or Torres Strait Islander student awarded a QCE. A shortlist of students who identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is identified for the consideration of the selection panel.
The objective is to identify one winner. In circumstances where two students cannot be separated, an additional award may be conferred.
Prize: Trophy and prize money
From 2014 to 2019, the following criteria were used to determine the shortlist of students:
- highest tertiary entrance rank based on a profile of information, including OP and QCS Test result information
- number of VHAs in Authority subjects
- QCE Advanced learning achievements
- other achievement information.
Highest Achievement by an International Student
This award is for the highest achieving international (visa) student awarded a QCE. A shortlist of students is identified for the consideration of the selection panel.
Prize: Trophy and prize money
From 2014 to 2019, the following criteria were used to determine the shortlist of students:
- an equivalent OP 1
- an A on the QCS Test
- number of Very High Achievements (VHA) in Authority subjects
- QCE Advanced learning achievements
- other achievement information.
Highest Achievement in the International Baccalaureate
Over 450 Queensland students elect to complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma as an alternative to the Queensland curriculum. This award is for the highest performing student who successfully completes the IBD and QCE. The winner is determined from information provided by the International Baccalaureate.
Prize: Trophy and prize money
Certificate of Academic Commendation
The QCAA identifies recipients following finalisation of student results for certification in December. Certificates of Academic Commendation are sent directly to students’ postal addresses at the same time as their final Year 12 results.
Prize: Certificate
From 2014 to 2019, the award was for students who were awarded Very High Achievements (VHAs) in the equivalent of at least six Authority subjects (i.e. at least 24 semesters at VHA standard).
Former award categories
Highest Result on the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test
This award was for the student who achieved the highest scale score across all components of the former QCS Test. The QCAA identified the recipient from final QCS Test result information on all components of the test — Writing Task, Short Response and Multiple Choice.
From 1992 to 2019, the QCS Test was sat by all students who were intending to be eligible for a tertiary entrance rank, known as an Overall Position (OP), when they finished Year 12. The test was based on the curriculum elements common to all Authority syllabuses in the previous QCE system.
- Last updated:
- 8 March 2021
