Overview
In Western Australia public secondary school runs from Year 7 to 12.
Overseas students can apply to enrol in a Western Australian secondary school that has been approved to accept overseas fee paying students.
enrolment conditions
Learn more about your placement conditions by selecting your circumstance:
secondary school year levels
In Western Australia public secondary school runs from Year 7 to 12. Students start Year 7, the first year of secondary school, in the year they turn 12 years old by 30 June in most instances.
FACILITIES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Secondary schools are built to international standards and are set in landscaped grounds with high-quality buildings and facilities which ensure students are able to study in safe, inclusive and welcoming environments.
Many secondary schools have specialist facilities such as art, music, performing and creative arts areas, science laboratories, libraries and sports facilities. They also have canteens/student cafeterias, air conditioning and undercover areas.
CURRICULUM
Years 7 to 10 (Lower secondary)
Lower secondary school education continues to build on learning in primary school. Students study across the learning areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, The Arts, Technologies, Health and Physical Education and Languages.
Year 11 and 12 (Senior secondary)
The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) is awarded to secondary school students who satisfy prescribed requirements. Generally, students will complete two years of senior secondary study to achieve the WACE. Students can study a mixture of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), vocational education and training (VET) programs and endorsed programs. Not all schools offer the entire range of general and VET courses.
The WACE is recognised by:
- University - for entry into undergraduate programs
- Industry - for entry into the workforce
- Training providers - for entry into practically orientated training programs which prepare people for work
To achieve a WACE for 2016 and beyond, students will be required to:
- demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy based on the skills regarded as essential for individuals to meet the demands of everyday life and work in a knowledge-based economy.
- complete a minimum of 20 unit or equivalents
- a minimum of 10 Year 12 units or equivalent
- two completed Year 11 English units and one pair of completed Year 12 English units
- one pair of Year 12 course units from each of List A (arts/English/languages/social sciences) and List B(mathematics/science/technology)
- complete four or more Year 12 ATAR courses or complete a Certificate II or higher.
For a comprehensive outline of the WACE and the courses available, visit the
SCSA website
International students seeking to undertake the WACE examination pathway must consult with school administration and enrolment staff prior to commencement.
Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) - university entrance score
The ATAR is a number that indicates a student’s position in relation to all other Western Australian students of Year 12 school leaving age. It takes into account the number of students with a Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA) as well as the number of students of Year 12 school leaving age in the population of Western Australia.
The ATAR results allow the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) to compare students across Australia for public university places. The ATAR is recognised internationally.
To find out more about the ATAR refer to the visit the TISC website and click on ‘About ATAR’:
www.tisc.edu.au
Fees and charges
Find out more about fees and charges in the
tuition fees for school students section.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS AND PROGRAMS
For students who require additional English language support on arrival at a public school,
please view the English language Requirements section.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY
Students with disability may require specialist disability provision or support to participate in education. The need for specialist disability provision or support is determined on a case by case basis by the Department of Education prior to placement.