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Senior secondary

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​​​​​​​​​​​​Queensland Certificate of Education

About the QCE

The 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, in 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 create student learning accounts for students.

Year 10, 11 and 12 students  will be able to track their progress towards a QCE in their student learning account. Students can access their learning account in the Student Portal via the myQCE website.

Issue of the QCE

Most students achieve their QCE at the end of Year 12 and it is issued as part of their 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 courses or traineeships. Once eligible, students will be issued a QCE in the following July or December.

Tertiary entrance and the QCE

The requirements for a QCE are different to those for tertiary entrance. See the ATARs page for information about ATARs in the new QCE system.

Learning accounts

Queensland law requires young people to be earning or learning until they turn 17, or until they achieve a QCE or a vocational qualification at Level III or higher.

Learning providers document young people's learning through learning accounts.

Creating learning accounts

Learning providers create students' learning accounts through the QCAA's Student Management application. They create the learning accounts when young people are in Year 10 or turning 16, whichever comes first. Generally, schools register young people in Year 10.

Young people who have transferred from other states or overseas can be registered for a learning account after completing Year 10 or turning 16 years of age.

The Director-General, Department of Education (DoE), can open accounts for students registered with the Home Education Unit, and in certain other situations.

Accessing learning accounts

Year 10, 11 and 12 students can access their learning account to view their progress and check their results through the myQCE website.

Students who do not meet the QCE requirements at the end of Year 12 can continue to work towards their QCE. Learning accounts remain open for nine years after opening.

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Last reviewed 10 August 2023
Last updated 10 August 2023