South Australian Certificate of Education

What is the SACE?

The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) is an internationally recognised qualification that paves the way for young people to move from school to work or further training and study. It is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and personal capabilities to successfully participate in their global society.
By completing the SACE, students prepare for further learning, work and life, by:

  • building essential skills and knowledge and developing capabilities
  • making informed choices about future study and work, based on their strengths and interests.
  • gaining the SACE certificate that gives them a head-start on their pathway beyond school.

How do students get the SACE?

Students achieve their SACE in two stages, Stage 1 and Stage 2 and must complete the following requirements with a C grade or higher:

  • Personal Learning Plan (Stage 1 10 credits at)
  • Literacy – from a range of English subjects (20 credits at Stage 1 or Stage 2)
  • Numeracy – from a range of Mathematics subjects (10 credits at Stage 1 or Stage 2)
  • Research Project – an in-depth major project (10 credits at Stage 2)
  • other stage 2 subjects and/or courses totalling at least 60 credits.

As shown in the chart below, at Heathfield High School, the SACE compulsory requirements commences in Year 10 when students undertake their Personal Learning Plan. In Year 11, students complete a full year of English, at least 1 semester of Mathematics and 1 semester of Research Project. In Year 12 the required 60 Stage 2 credits are achieved through choice subjects/courses.

Students must also choose from a range of Stage 1 or Stage 2 subjects, or other recognised courses (including VET), to gain the minimum of 200 credits required for SACE completion.

Full details of SACE subjects, visit SACE subjects and for current subjects offered at Heathfield High School please refer to the Year 11 Subject Information and Year 12 Subject Information.

What is VET and how can I do it?

VET stands for Vocational Education and Training. VET gives students skills for work, particularly in the trades and industry. Heathfield High School works mostly within the Adelaide Hills Student Pathway alliance (AHSP) and Eastern Adelaide Student VET Alliance (EASVA) to offer students many VET opportunities. For further details please refer to the Heathfield High School VET page and VET in SACE

What is SACE Recognised Community Learning?

Students are able to earn SACE credits through Community-developed Programs and Self-directed Community Learning.

Community-developed Programs include programs that have been approved by SACE and are awarded SACE Credits equating to the training and learning undertaken by students. For example, the Australian Music Examinations Board, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the SA Country Fire Service.

Self-directed Community Learning is gained through informal community activities, such as coaching a sports team, being the primary carer of a family member, or leading an environmental project in the community. Students will need to provide evidence of their learning for assessment for the SACE Board to recognise and award SACE credits Recognised Learning in SACE

SACE Special provisions

Special provisions are available if a student has a disability, illness, experiences misadventure, or an unforeseen circumstance which significantly impacts their ability to participate in an assessment. If a student applies for special provisions they need to provide evidence of how this impacts their ability to access assessment conditions. On approval, reasonable adjustments are made. Further information is available at SACE Special Provisions.

SACE Students Online

SACE Students Online can help students:

  • plan their SACE and look at different subjects, or subject and course, combinations
  • check their progress towards completing the SACE
  • access their results

Students can log in to Students Online using their SACE registration number and PIN at SACE Students Online.

Further information

Visit the SACE website, particularly the Studying the SACE which is designed to support students and families. We encourage students to talk with their teachers and the HHS SACE Coordinator about their study options. Further information is available on the SACE website.

University and TAFE SA entry

Gaining the SACE is the main method used by South Australian students to gain admission into university and TAFE courses.

TAFE SA recognises the SACE as meeting the Course Admission Requirements for most of its courses. It also considers a variety of other qualifications and experiences in its entry and selection processes. Students’ who complete the SACE are eligible for university entry, provided they meet certain requirements.

Details of TAFE and university course information are included in the SATAC publications and further TAFE SA courses information is available at TAFESA.

Applications for university and TAFE courses are administered by the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit the SATAC WEBSITE for more information about tertiary course entry requirements.