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The SACE Board of South Australia is responsible for awarding students with a South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) on completion of senior secondary schooling.

The SACE is a high quality, internationally recognised pre-university program that opens pathways leading to vocations and careers, further studies and employment. In South Australia, it is the basic requirement for entry to higher education.

The structure of the SACE is aligned closely with the needs of students, families, higher and further education providers, employers and the community. This structure is designed to help students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in our modern context and to engage as worthwhile members of their local and global communities. The SACE offers a significant diversity of subjects for study, as well as diverse approaches to learning and assessment, especially in the area of recognition of community learning.

There is an emphasis on students actively planning their chosen academic pathway for the senior years, in collaboration with their parents, teachers and community mentors. Students can choose to specialise in certain key areas of interest or to maintain a breadth of subjects in these final years, incorporating some of the more flexible elements such as Vocational Education and Training subjects accredited within the SACE program.

Stage One

Compulsory, select one of:

  • English / Essential English
  • English as an Additional Language

Compulsory, select one of:

  • Essential Mathematics
  • General Mathematics
  • Mathematical Methods
  • Mathematical Methods AND Specialist Mathematics

Compulsory (if not completed in Year 10):

  • Exploring Identities and Futures

Additional subjects:

  • Accounting
  • Ancient Studies
  • Biology
  • Business Innovation
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Background Speakers
  • Chinese Continuers
  • Creative Arts: Film
  • Design, Technology and Engineering
    • Design Engineering & Innovation
    • Graphics & Architecture
  • Digital Technologies
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • French Continuers
  • Geography
  • German Continuers
  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Legal Studies
  • Modern History
  • Music
  • Outdoor Education
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Scientific Studies
  • Spanish Continuers
  • Tourism
  • Visual Arts
Stage Two

Compulsory:

  • Activating Identities and Futures

For SACE Completion: select three subjects

For ATAR: select five subjects

  • Aboriginal Studies (pre-approved students)
  • Accounting
  • Ancient Studies
  • Biology
  • Business Innovation
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Background Speakers
  • Chinese Continuers
  • Creative Arts: Film
  • Design, Technology and Engineering
    • Design Engineering & Innovation
    • Game Development
    • Graphics & Architecture
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English
  • English Literary Studies
  • Essential English
  • English as an Additional Language
  • French Continuers
  • Geography
  • German Continuers
  • Legal Studies
  • Essential Mathematics
  • General Mathematics
  • Mathematical Methods
  • Specialist Mathematics
  • Modern History
  • Music Explorations
  • Music Studies
  • Music Performance: Ensemble (10)
  • Music Performance: Solo (10)
  • Nutrition
  • Outdoor Education
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Scientific Studies
  • Spanish Continuers
  • Tourism
  • Visual Arts
  • Workplace Practices

Note

All these subjects have TAS (Tertiary Admission Subject) status