Eligibility for the Higher School Certificate
How many units must I study?
- Students must study at least 12 units in the Preliminary Year (Year 11).
- Students must study at least 10 units in the HSC Year (Year 12).
What courses must I study?
In both Year 11 and Year 12, students must study at least:
- six units from Board Developed courses;
- two units of a Board Developed course in English;
- three courses of two units value or greater (Board Developed or Board Endorsed); and
- courses from four subjects.
To receive the HSC, students must
- satisfactorily complete all Year 11 courses (12 units);
- satisfactorily complete all Year 12 courses (10 units);
- include 2 units of a Board Developed English course in both Year 11 and Year 12 (English Studies);
- meet the HSC minimum standard in literacy and numeracy (online tests);
- complete the HSC: All My Own Work program;
- complete any required work placement or VET requirements.
HSC minimum standard and All My Own Work
Students show they meet the minimum standard in literacy and numeracy by passing online tests of basic literacy and numeracy skills, which they can sit when ready in Year 10, 11 or 12, and after the HSC. Support is available to help students prepare for and sit these tests.
HSC: All My Own Work is a mandatory program, completed in Year 10 or early Year 11, covering what is all my own work, what is plagiarism, how to acknowledge other people’s work, and how to work honestly.
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
VET courses give students in Years 11 and 12 the opportunity to study selected vocational subjects while completing their HSC. Courses within Industry Curriculum Frameworks (like Business Services and Retail Services) are dual accredited, enabling students to receive an Australian Qualifications Framework certificate or Statement of Attainment as well as the HSC.
A student may study more than one VET course for the purpose of gaining the HSC. Since the 2025 HSC, there is no longer a cap on how many VET courses with an HSC exam can contribute to an ATAR — this restriction was removed along with the old Category A/B system.
Benefits of VET study
- Broader choices of study and hands-on, practical learning
- Skills and training valued directly by employers
- Nationally recognised qualifications delivered through the Academy’s Registered Training Organisation arrangements
- Advanced standing for units of competency already completed, if a student continues studies at TAFE
Work placement and the USI
VET courses typically require a minimum of 70 hours of work placement, mandatory and completed across Year 11 and Year 12 — usually 35 hours in each year.
All VET students need to obtain a Unique Student Identifier (USI) so that their qualifications can be recognised nationally. A USI can be created at usi.gov.au.
Expectations — effort, attendance and behaviour
All students, regardless of pathway, are expected to demonstrate consistent effort and application; attend all classes on time; complete all set tasks and assessments; and comply with the Academy’s policies and behavioural expectations. Failure to meet these expectations may result in intervention, provisional enrolment or review of enrolment in accordance with the Academy’s Promotions Policy.