To be eligible for a QCE, a student must:
- have an open learning account (see Section 13.2.4: Students and registration)
- not have been previously issued with a QCE, Senior Certificate, or equivalent interstate or overseas qualification (other than an International Baccalaureate Diploma)
- accrue at least one credit from the Core category of learning while enrolled at a Queensland school
- meet the QCE requirements by completing learning
- to the set amount
- at the set standard
- in a set pattern
- that meets the literacy and numeracy requirements.
The set amount of learning is measured in credits. Credits are recorded in a student’s learning account when the set standard for learning has been met.
A range of courses of study may contribute to the issue of a QCE. Learning options are classified as Core, Preparatory and Complementary courses of study (see Section 2.2: Categories of learning).
The QCAA is working towards introducing a requirement for students to complete the QCAA Academic Integrity course or an equivalent to be eligible for a QCE. This change is expected to commence after 2025. For information about academic integrity, see Section 8.1: Understanding academic integrity.
2.1.1 Set amount of learning
To meet the set amount of learning, a student must accrue 20 credits from learning options. Different types and amounts of learning contribute different amounts of credit to the QCE. Credit accrues when the set standard is achieved.
2.1.2 Set standard of learning
Contributing studies must meet the set standard to contribute credit to the QCE. The set standard depends on the type of learning and may include:
- satisfactory completion
- a final result of C or better
- qualification completion
- a pass or equivalent.
Partial completion of a course of study may contribute some credit to the QCE (see Section 2.2: Categories of learning).
For more information about Applied, Applied (Essential) and General subjects, see Section 11.1: Determining results.
2.1.3 Set pattern of learning
A student must accrue 20 credits within a set pattern. The set pattern requires a student to accrue:
- a minimum of 12 credits from completed Core courses of study (see below)
- up to four credits from the Preparatory category of learning (see Section 2.2.2: Preparatory courses of study)
- up to eight credits from the Complementary category of learning (see Section 2.2.3: Complementary courses of study)
- credits within the vocational education and training (VET) limit rules (see Section 2.3: Additional VET QCE credit rules).
A student may accrue all 20 credits from the Core category of learning provided that at least 12 credits are accrued from completed Core courses of study.
Completed Core
The set pattern of learning for a QCE requires students to accrue 12 credits from completed Core courses of study (see Section 2.2.1: Core courses of study).
Credits for partially completed Core courses of study may contribute to the set amount of 20 credits, but not to the 12 credits that must accrue from completed Core courses of study.
Learning in the Core category can only contribute to the completed Core when a student:
- is enrolled in an Applied or General subject for Units 1, 2, 3 and 4, and is reported as satisfactory or unsatisfactory in both Unit 1 and Unit 2, and achieves a final result of C or better in Units 3 and 4
- is enrolled in a General (Extension) subject for Units 3 and 4, and achieves a final result of C or better
- achieves a final result of C or better in a General (Senior External Examination) subject
- completes a VET Certificate II, III or IV
- satisfactorily completes the on-the-job component of a school-based apprenticeship (see Section 2.2.1: Core courses of study)
- partially completes non-Queensland studies (interstate or overseas) to the required standard, and subsequently enrols in and meets the set standard in a related QCAA subject (see Section 2.5.2: Interstate and overseas transfers: Non-Queensland studies)
- completes an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) subject at a Queensland school and achieves a final result of 4 or better
- partially completes an IBDP subject at a Queensland school (as outlined in Section 2.2.1: Core courses of study) and subsequently enrols in and meets the set standard in the Unit 3 and 4 pair of a related QCAA subject
- completes a recognised study to the required standard (see Section 2.4: Recognised studies).
Relaxation of the studies that contribute to the completed Core
Relaxation of the studies that contribute to the completed Core may apply in some circumstances, including when a student changes learning provider (see Section 2.5: Transfer students) or changes between some subjects. In any case, credit only accrues where the set standard is met.
Automatic relaxation of the studies that contribute to the completed Core applies only when a student changes between one QCAA Mathematics subject and another QCAA Mathematics subject, or between one QCAA English subject and another QCAA English subject. For example, if a student completes Unit 1 of General Mathematics and changes to Essential Mathematics to complete Unit 2 and the Unit 3 and 4 pair, then the relaxation applies and the student is considered to have completed Unit 1, Unit 2 and the Unit 3 and 4 pair across the QCAA Mathematics subjects.
In all other situations, an application for relaxation of the studies that contribute to the completed Core must be made to the QCAA. An application is required when a student:
- completes more than four units of the same QCAA subject (example: repeats a unit)
- changes to a learning provider where the same subjects are not offered (example: completes Units 1 and 2 of Chemistry, then transfers to a new learning provider where they are unable to continue this subject in the Unit 3 and 4 pair. The new learning provider enrols them in a sufficiently similar subject).
Relaxation of the studies that contribute to the completed Core does not change the requirements of the syllabus, including learning and assessment, for any subject (see Section 8.2.1: Engaging in learning and assessment).
For more information about transfer students and changing subjects, see Section 2.5: Transfer students and Section 8.2.1: Engaging in learning and assessment.
2.1.4 Literacy and numeracy requirements
The literacy and numeracy requirements for a QCE reflect the standards outlined in Level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF).
| Courses of study | Literacy | Numeracy | Set standard |
|---|---|---|---|
Applied (including Essential) | QCAA subject for Unit 1, Unit 2, or a Unit 3 and 4 pair:
| QCAA subject for Unit 1, Unit 2, or a Unit 3 and 4 pair:
| Satisfactory completion in Unit 1 or Unit 2 |
General | QCAA subjects for Unit 1, Unit 2, or a Unit 3 and 4 pair:
| QCAA subjects for Unit 1, Unit 2, or a Unit 3 and 4 pair:
| Satisfactory completion in Unit 1 or Unit 2 |
General (Extension) | Unit 3 and 4 pair:
| Final result of C or better | |
General (Senior External Examination) | QCAA subject:
| QCAA subject:
| Final result of C or better |
Short Courses | QCAA Short Course in Literacy | QCAA Short Course in Numeracy | Final result of C or better |
IBDP in Queensland schools | IBDP examination in one of the following:
| IBDP examination in one of the following from 2021:
| Final result of 4 or above on examination |
| Interstate studies | Unit 1, Unit 2, or a Unit 3 and 4 pair of an interstate English or English equivalent subject (refer to Section 2.5.2 for further information) | Unit 1, Unit 2, or a Unit 3 and 4 pair of an interstate Mathematics or Mathematics equivalent subject (refer to Section 2.5.2 for further information) |
Satisfactory completion in Unit 1 or Unit 2 or Final result of C or better (or equivalent) in a Unit 3 and 4 pair |
Recognised studies | See Recognised studies for a list of eligible learning options | See Recognised studies for a list of eligible learning options | As recognised by the QCAA |
