SACE

The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) is a modern, internationally recognised secondary school qualification designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and capabilities to flourish in an evolving and challenging world.

Students will be awarded the SACE when they successfully complete requirements that include a range of skills and subjects, they may study at school or may have acquired through other education, training or experience. The SACE has evolved to provide students with more flexibility to choose subjects that reflect their interests, skills, and career goals, using a combination of SACE subjects, Vocational Education and Training (Flexible Industry Pathways), community learning, university, and TAFE studies.

To complete the qualification, students will need to attain 200 credits from a selection of Stage 1 and Stage 2 subjects. A 10-credit subject is usually one semester of study, and a 20-credit subject is usually studied over two semesters.

Students start their journey with Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF) in Year 10, Stage 1 subjects in Year 11 and Stage 2 subjects in Year 12.

To achieve SACE students must complete these compulsory requirements with a C grade or higher at Stage 1, and a C- grade or higher at Stage 2:

  • Stage 1 Exploring Identities and Futures – completed in Year 10 (10 credits)
  • Numeracy requirement – a mathematics subject or course in Stage 1 or Stage 2 (10 credits)
  • Literacy requirement – an English subject or course in Stage 1 or Stage 2 (20 credits)
  • Stage 2 Activating Identities and Futures – completed in Year 11 (10 credits)

Of the remaining 150 credits students will need to make up the 200 credits, at least 60 credits must be at Stage 2 level.

SACE subjects are made up of investigations, performances, and other assessment tasks to demonstrate skills, knowledge, and personal capabilities throughout the year. Some subjects will have an end-of-year exam worth a maximum of 30% of the overall grade.

Welcome to the SACE (PDF)

More information can be found in our curriculum outline for SACE subjects: