The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is Queensland's senior secondary schooling qualification. It is internationally recognised and provides evidence of senior schooling achievements.
The QCE allows students to choose from a wide range of learning options to suit their interests and career goals.
To receive a QCE, students must achieve the set amount of learning, at the set standard, in a set pattern, while meeting literacy and numeracy requirements.
Planning for the QCE
Senior pathway planning starts in Year 10, when schools work with students and their parents/carers to develop a Senior Education and Training (SET) plan or equivalent.
A SET plan helps students structure their learning around their abilities, interests and ambitions. It details what, where and how students will study in Years 11 and 12.
Monitoring QCE progress — student learning accounts
Schools register and create learning accounts for students. The learning account is opened in the 12 months before a student turns 16 or in the 12 months before they complete Year 10.
Students can access their learning account in the Student Portal via the myQCE website to view registrations, enrolments, results, and projected QCE eligibility.
Issue of the QCE
Most students achieve their QCE at the end of Year 12. It is issued online in their learning account as part of the Senior Education Profile.
Students who do not meet the QCE requirements at the end of Year 12 can continue to work towards their certificate after finishing Year 12, through the completion of additional learning such as vocational education and training (VET) qualifications, study at a Queensland school, or other QCE recognised studies. For these students, the QCAA issues a QCE in the July or December after they meet the eligibility requirements.
Tertiary entrance and the QCE
The requirements for a QCE are different to those for tertiary entrance. See the ATAR page for information about ATARs in the QCE system.
- Last updated:
- 27 September 2023
