Senior Curriculum

From 2020, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) will replace the Overall Position (OP) as the standard pathway to tertiary study for Year 12 students in Queensland.

The ATAR is a finer grained rank order of students than the OP. It is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 with increments of 0.05, whereas the OP consists of 25 bands. The ATAR is commonly used in other states and territories.

​The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) will be responsible for calculating students' ATARs. QTAC will calculate ATARs based on either:

  • a student's best 5 General subject results, or
  • a student's best results in a combination of 4 General subject results, plus 1 Applied subject result or completed VET qualification at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate III level or above.
     

​General subjects are suited to students who are interested in pathways beyond senior secondary schooling that lead to tertiary studies and to pathways for vocational education and training and work. They include Extension subjects.

Results in General subjects contribute to the award of a QCE and may contribute to an ATAR.

General syllabuses are underpinned by 21st century skills.

General Subjects:

Biology

Business

Chemistry​

Design

Drama

English

Film, Television and New Media

General Mathematics

Geography

Japanese

Mathematical Methods

Modern History

Music

Physics

Physical Education

Psychology

Specialist Mathematics

Study of Religion

 

Applied Subjects:

Essential English

Essential Mathematics

Religion and Ethics

 

Certificate Courses:

Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology 

Click here to view the Senior Subject Guide 2019/2020