Emmanuel Catholic College Curriculum Handbook
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Achieving WACE

Requirements for achievement of The Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE):

1. Literacy and Numeracy

Students must demonstrate the minimum literacy and numeracy standard based on skills regarded as essential for individuals to meet the demands of everyday life and work. This standard is equivalent to Level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework. For the WACE literacy and numeracy standards, students must demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy either by:

  • successfully completing each component of the Authority’s Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) in Year 10, 11 or 12.
  • by pre-qualifying through achieving Band 8 or higher in the reading and writing tests of the Year 9 National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

2. Complete a minimum of 20 units, or equivalents

  • at least four Year 12 ATAR courses*
  • at least five Year 12 General courses** and/or ATAR courses or equivalent*
  • a Certificate II*** (or higher) VET qualification in combination with ATAR, General or Foundation courses

* In the context of ATAR courses in the WACE, the term ‘complete’ requires a student to sit the ATAR course examination

**Foundation courses do not contribute to meeting the WACE achievement requirement with this option. Students taking Foundation courses must complete a Certificate II or higher.

***In the context of VET in the WACE, the term ‘complete’ requires that a student has been deemed competent in all units of competency that make up a full qualification.

3. Breadth and depth

Students will complete a minimum of 20 units, which may include unit equivalents attained through VET and/or endorsed programs. This requirement must include at least:

  • a minimum of ten Year 12 units, or the equivalent
  • four units from an English course, post-Year 10, including at least one pair of Year 12 units from an English learning area course
  • one pair of Year 12 units from each of List A (arts/languages/social sciences) and List B (mathematics/science/technology) subjects.

4. Achievement Standard

Students must achieve at least 14 C grades or higher (or equivalents) in Year 11 and Year 12 units, including at least six C grades (or equivalents) in Year 12 units. Unit equivalence can be obtained through Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs and/or endorsed programs. The maximum unit equivalence available through these programs is eight units – four Year 11 units and four Year 12 units.