QCE FAQs

What is the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)?

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is Queensland’s senior schooling qualification. It is based on post-Year 10
study and shows that an individual has achieved a specific standard of education at senior level. It is awarded to eligible
students, usually at the end of Year 12 .

The QCE should not be confused with the OP. It is not used for entry to tertiary studies.
The QCE is assumed to be for consideration of the general community, particularly employer.
The QCE has no different levels or grades. You either meet the requirements to receive a QCE or you do not.

How do I get a QCE?

To be eligible to receive a QCE, an individual must:
- have completed a set amount of study,
- at a set standard, and
- have achieved set literacy and numeracy levels.
The ‘amount’ of learning required is 20 points. More than 20 points does not give any advantage. At least 12
points must come from what are called ‘core’ areas (at least 3 subjects must be completed for 4 consecutive
semesters). In the majority of instances, students will gain their points from Authority subjects, Authority
registered subjects and, sometimes, VET certificates.
To satisfy the ‘standard’ of learning criterion, individuals must have achieved a minimum exit level of SA (sound
achievement) for Authority and Authority registered subjects, and competency for VET certificates.
The literacy and numeracy requirement is most commonly met by achieving a minimum of an SA for at least one
semester in an English subject and a minimum of an SA for at least one semester in a mathematics subject.
Achieving a C on the Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test also meets the literacy and numeracy requirement.
It is hoped that students will meet the requirements to receive a QCE by the time they leave school at the end of
Year 12. If individuals have not met these requirements when they leave school, they have a further 7 years after
leaving Year 12 in which to do so.

Where can I find out more?

- Student Connect: track your progress towards a QCE in your learning account
- Queensland Studies Authority (QSA): a link to the QCE pages is located on the QSA homepage
- your teachers, Year 10 coordinator, senior schooling coordinator or guidance officer
 * To be eligible for the QCE, students must complete 20 credits *

A REQUIRED AMOUNT OF LEARNING…

Group Areas of Study Credit
 Certificate I vocational qualification (maximum of 2) 2-3
PREPARATORY
 Reengagement programmes 1
(max. of 6 credits)
 Employment skills course recognised by VETE Act 2000 1
CORE  Authority or Authority-registered subject^ 4
(a minimum of 12  VET Certificate II 4
credits; 3 subjects  VET Certificate III-IV* 6–8
MUST be studied  School-based apprenticeships 2–6
over 4 semesters)  School-based traineeships 4–8
ENRICHMENT  A level of a recognised certificate or award in areas such as music,
1
(max. of 8 credits) dance, drama, sport and community development
 A one-semester university subject undertaken while at school 2
ADVANCED  A two-semester university subject undertaken while at school 4
(max. of 8 credits)  Competencies in a diploma or advanced diploma over at least a 2
semester (or its equivalent)

…AT THE REQUIRED STANDARD…

Course of study Standard

 Authority subjects and Authority registered subjects ‘C’ Result

 Vocational education and training Competence

 Recognised awards and certificates Awarded

 University courses/subjects/units undertaken while still at school Pass

…INCLUDING LITERACY AND NUMERACY.

 At least a ‘C’ in a semester of English, English Communication or English for ESL;

Literacy OR
 At least a ‘C’ on the Queensland Core Skills Test

 At least a ‘C’ in a semester of Prevocational Maths or Maths A, B or C;

Numeracy OR
 At least a ‘C’ on the Queensland Core Skills Test

* Some Certificates III and IV will attract less than 8 credits.

^ Students studying a pram consisting of only Authority and/or Authority-registered subjects must achieve at least a ‘C’ in 16 of
the required 20 credits. Up to 4 credits from part-complete subjects may be at ‘D’.