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Secondary Schooling covers the school years from 7 or 8, through to Year 12. These are the final years of school education and lead to university, college, vocational education or employment. There are often considered to be two sections, a junior secondary period and a senior secondary component which leads to the award of a final qualification. These qualifications are called by different names in each state and territory [see below].
Schools in this sector have a range of titles within single systems and across systems.
This page gives access to basic information on secondary education in each state & territory, plus general information.
States & Territories
Australian Capital Territory
| Years Covered | Junior Years : Years 7 to 10 Senior Years : Years 11 and 12 |
| Minimum Leaving Age | 16 years of age Note : Consideration is being given to various options related to the minimum leaving age. More detail, including options, can be found in the Pathways To The Future document. |
| Major Examinations, Reports & Certificates | Year 10
Certificate [ACT] Includes High School Record. Year 12 Certificate Includes Tertiary Entrance Statement. There is a brochure called What Certificates Could You Obtain ? which details all aspects of this. ‘The ACT BSSS brochure What’s the ATAR ? also provides useful information about the ACT Tertiary Entrance Statement and the ATAR’. |
| School Types | Colleges, Comprehensive, District, High, K-10, K-12. |
| Uniform | Dress Code. Some schools have uniforms. Check with individual schools. |
| Fees | Contribution scheme. Check with individual schools. |
New South Wales
| Years Covered | Junior Years : Years 7 to 10 Senior Years : Years 11 and 12 |
| Minimum Leaving Age | From 1 January 2010 ‘students in NSW will be required to remain at school until the end of Year 10; and after completing
Year 10, students will be required to remain in some form of education, training or employment until they turn 17.’ Further details can be found at this NSW Public Schools site. |
| Major Examinations, Reports & Certificates | Selective High Schools Year 7 Placement
School Certificate [Y10] Higher School Certificate [Y12] Changes to HSC Examinations and School Assessment. A number of changes are to be implemented in 2010. |
| School Types | Agricultural, Central [K-10 & K-12], Comprehensive, Dramatic Arts, Selective, Senior College, Single Sex, Sport, Technology, Visual Arts & Design. |
| Uniform | Yes. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
| Fees | Both General and Subject fees. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
Northern Territory
| Years Covered | Middle Years : Years 7, 8 & 9 Senior Years : Years 10, 11 & 12 |
| Minimum Leaving Age | 15 years of age. However, they must complete Year 10. |
| Major Examinations, Reports & Certificates | NT Certificate of Education [Y12] NT Certificate of Education & Training. Find information about a planned implementation in 2011. |
| School Types | Area School, College, Comprehensive, Rural College, Senior College. |
| Uniform | Dress Code. Some have uniforms. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
| Fees | School Levy. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
Queensland
| Years Covered | Junior Years : Years 8 to 10 Senior Years : Years 11 and 12 |
| Minimum Leaving Age | Students ‘have to stay in education or training until they turn 17’. Find more information about the Senior Phase of Learning via this site. |
| Major Examinations, Reports & Certificates | Queensland Certificate of Education [QCE] Queensland Core Skills For university entry. Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement. ‘This certificate recognises the schooling achievements of students who have impairments or difficulties in learning. Previously known as the Certificate of Post-Compulsory School Education. |
| School Types | Academies, Aviation High, Community, Community College, Comprehensive, Secondary College, State. |
| Uniform | Dress Code. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
| Fees | School contribution. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
South Australia
| Years Covered | Junior Years : Tears 7 to 10 Senior Years : Years 11 and 12 |
| Minimum Leaving Age | 17 years of age unless they are in paid employment prior to this, i.e., earning or learning. See Learning, Make It Work For You for further details. |
| Major Examinations, Reports & Certificates | South Australian Certificate of Education [Y12]. Includes
Tertiary Entrance Rank. New SACE Information. ‘For the latest information on the new SACE, visit this page.’ South Australian Matriculation Program |
| School Types | High School, Secondary School, Comprehensive, Specialist [subject area and Gifted], Rural, District. |
| Uniform | Some schools have uniforms. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
| Fees | Annual compulsory School Charge & Voluntary Contribution. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
Tasmania
| Years Covered | Junior Years : Years 7 to 10 Senior Years : Years 11 and 12 |
| Minimum Leaving Age | 17 years of age, or with full time employment. See specific FAQs answered here |
| Major Examinations, Reports & Certificates | Assessment and Reporting. Information including FAQs. Senior Secondary Equivalent Qualifications. These provide equivalence for qualifications from other states, territories and countries. There is a fee for this service. Tasmanian Certificate of Education. On leaving - from Y10 on. This page provides descriptions and a range of downloadable documents in Word, PDF or Excel formats. Reporting & Assessment. Includes A - E Report Card, Literacy and Numeracy Monitoring Program and Teacher Meetings |
| School Types | Comprehensive, District, Secondary Colleges : 7 to 10 and 11 to 12. |
| Uniform | Check with individual schools for details. |
| Fees | School Levy. Check with individual schools for exactv detailos. |
Victoria
| Years Covered | Junior Years : Years 7 to 10 Senior Years : Years 11 and 12 |
| Minimum Leaving Age | Students must complete Year 10 and then be at school, in approved education or training or full-time paid employment until they turn 17. This is in effect from 2010. Further information at Minimum School Leaving Age. |
| Major Examinations, Reports & Certificates | Selective Entry for Gifted Students Victorian Certificate of Education [Y12] Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning. ‘The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning [VCAL] is a hands-on option for students in Years 11 and 12. The VCAL gives you practical work-related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life and work. Like the Victorian Certificate of Education [VCE], VCAL is an accredited secondary certificate.’ |
| School Types | Comprehensive, Technical. |
| Uniform | Dress Code applies in all schools. Some have uniforms. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
| Fees | General and Subject fees. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
Western Australia
| Years Covered | Junior Years : Years 8 to 10 Senior Years : Years 11 and 12 |
| Minimum Leaving Age | The end of the school year in which they turn 17 years of age. ‘Young people must be in school, training, an apprenticeship or a traineeship, or approved full-time employment - or combinations of part-time education/training and employment.’ Information on the Raised Leaving Age site. |
| Major Examinations, Reports & Certificates | Supplementary
Provision. Includes process for High Academic Achievers. WA Certificate of Education [Y12]. Includes Statement of Results. Note changes in requirements for 2009 and then 2010-15. |
| School Types | College, Community College, District, Senior Campus, Senior High, State High. |
| Uniform | Dress Code. Check with individual schools for exact details. |
| Fees | School Charge : Years 8, 9, 10. Upper Secondary School Charge : Senior Years. |
Other Information
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Dux College
‘Dux College is a Sydney-based HSC learning centre offering results oriented intensive Maths tutoring for Mathematics [2 unit] and Mathematics Extension 1 and 2 for HSC and Preliminary students. Raise your internal ranks and maximise your UAI with Dux College !’ - Edassist
For students in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria, providing assistance, information about assistance and study packs covering the HSC and the VCE. - Matrix Education
‘Matrix Education is Australia’s leading HSC English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Tuition College. Our students are famous for achieving results above expectations.’ - Options after Year 12
Document from Queensland Education with points to consider at the end of secondary education. - Options after Year 10
Advice for those considering leaving prior to the end of formal schooling [e.g. minimum age, end of Junior Secondary]. - OZJAC
‘An easy-to-use computer program that can help young people and adults find answers to their job, course and career questions. It brings together information on all accredited courses in Australia, links courses to jobs, and jobs to industry.’ Note this now requires a subscription, or access through a subscribing institution. - Power
‘This site has been designed to provide information to Parents or expecting parents who are Overcoming Work and Education Restrictions [POWER].’ One Queensland High School’s response to this situation. - Smart Start
‘Is the essential tool for senior school students - it’s all about education and career options … . Specifically for students in Years 10, 11 and 12.’ - Student Exchange Australia
Provides information on opportunities for secondary students to travel and stay in another country with a host family. - Year 12 - What Next ?
‘A guide to help Year 12 students plan their post-school education and training. Find out about working life in the future, find out about course options, find out where to get help and information.’ Australian government initiative.