On this page:
- Professional development
- Rehearsing the use of alternative format — digital files for external assessment
- Writing roles for external assessment and common internal assessment
- External assessment: Directions for administration
- Release of redeveloped Arabic SEE syllabus 2026
- New Critical Thinking Short Course syllabus
- Subject-specific support resources for Applied syllabus QA
- Senior Education Profile calendar for 2027
- Employment opportunities
- SEP calendar dates
- Changed schools?
Professional development
Build expertise in developing and marking senior assessment
We’re hosting a series of webinars focused on developing quality internal assessments and making confident judgments about the qualities evident in student work.
Running from now until Tuesday 1 December, the sessions provide an opportunity to deepen understanding of syllabus requirements, assessment standards and student work.
Webinars cover subjects in all seven learning areas — English and Languages, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Health and Physical Education, and Technologies.
External assessment administration
We're offering a free webinar on Tuesday 20 October for external assessment coordinators and assistants to boost their knowledge about defining, reporting and managing incidents during the external assessment period.
Student Management webinars
We're running free webinars about key processes in the Student Management app:
- Recording results for Unit 1 and Unit 2 (21 and 26 October, 2 December, 8 February)
- Recording and checking IA and final results for Applied and Applied (Essential) subjects (19 October)
- Setting up and enrolling students for 2027 (multiple dates up to 10 February).
Rehearsing the use of alternative format — digital files for external assessment
Rehearsals of external assessment processes for alternative format — digital files are available until Friday 16 October.
Schools with students who have QCAA-approved access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA) to use a computer and/or assistive technology in external assessments are encouraged to rehearse the use of digital files to familiarise staff and students with the process.
See memo 046/26 (PDF, 136.0 KB) for information about accessing the rehearsal files and preparing student devices.
Writing roles for external assessment and common internal assessment
Applications are open for eligible teachers to become members of the writing panels and scrutiny panels to develop items and stimulus for future external assessments. The development period is scheduled for December 2026 to February 2027.
Applications close on Friday 23 October.
See memo 047/26 (PDF, 158.5 KB) for more information.
External assessment: Directions for administration
The 2026 Directions for administration: External assessment (DFA) is now available in the Noticeboard app in the QCAA Portal.
The DFA has been updated to make the content easier to scan, timeframes clearer and key tasks more prominent.
See memo 045/26 (PDF, 158.7 KB) for more information.
Release of redeveloped Arabic SEE syllabus 2026
The QCAA has redeveloped the Arabic Senior External Examination (SEE) syllabus for implementation with students exiting in 2027 and beyond.
The new syllabus and supporting resources are available on the QCAA website.
See memo 048/26 (PDF, 135.0 KB) for more information.
New Critical Thinking Short Course syllabus
Schools can now access the new Critical Thinking Short Course syllabus, available to students from next year.
This course teaches students to evaluate arguments and evidence, and make well-reasoned judgments.
The new syllabus is available on the QCAA website.
See memo 043/26 (PDF, 152.4 KB) for more information.
Subject-specific support resources for Applied syllabus QA
As part of our quality assurance process for Applied syllabuses, we’ve published Advice to schools documents in the Applied QA app in the QCAA Portal. The advice allows schools to reflect on their internal processes, while strengthening assessment practices for current and future students.
Subject-specific support resources (SSSRs) for the subjects in this year’s Applied QA event will also be available soon. The SSSRs analyse trends across the state, include feedback about designing assessments and making judgments, plus tips for submissions. Access will be via the Syllabuses app as they become available. See Syllabuses app> View resources> Quality assurance> Quality assurance process information.
Senior Education Profile calendar for 2027
The 2027 Senior Education Profile (SEP) calendar is now available. It includes key dates for:
- certification
- confirmation
- endorsement
- data submission
- internal and external assessment.
See memo 050/26 (PDF, 131.9 KB) for more information.
Employment opportunities
The QCAA is recruiting for the following role:
Principal Workforce Delivery Officer (Business Solutions and Projects), Program Workforce Unit (Permanent full-time, AO7). Applications close on Friday 23 October. See SmartJobs for more information.
SEP calendar dates
The Senior Education Profile (SEP) calendar lists the key dates for endorsement, assessment, confirmation, data submission and certification throughout the year. See the SEP calendar for the key dates for September.
Changed schools?
If you’ve changed schools recently, make sure you update your details and transfer your QCAA Portal account.
School leaders are reminded to check that staff have the correct roles assigned in the QCAA Portal applications and that principal’s delegate details are current.
- Last updated:
- 16 October 2026
