A NSW Government website
Assessment Certification Examination (ACE)
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)

Eligibility requirements for the Higher School Certificate

ACE 8004

Last Updated: 19 August 2020

 To be eligible for the award of the Higher School Certificate, students must:

  1. have gained the Record of School Achievement or such other qualifications as the NESA considers satisfactory;
  2. have attended a government school, an accredited non-government school, a school outside New South Wales recognised by NESA or a college of TAFE;
  3. have completed HSC: All My Own Work (or its equivalent)
  4. have demonstrated a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (see ACE 4060)
  5. have satisfactorily completed courses that comprise the pattern of study required by NESA for the award of the Higher School Certificate; and
  6. sit for and make a serious attempt at the requisite Higher School Certificate examinations.

Note: Students undertaking only Stage 6 Life Skills courses are not required to complete the HSC: All My Own Work program or its equivalent.

Note: Exemptions may apply to the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy (see ACE 4061)