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Coordinating the SACE | Supporting students | VET and recognised learning

VET and recognised learning

The SACE Board recognises learning that students have achieved outside of the SACE. Students can be granted SACE credits for appropriate qualifications, subjects, courses, or learning experiences.

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Vocational Education and Training (VET)

Students can gain recognition for up to 150 SACE credits at Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 for successfully completed VET. The SACE recognises VET that is listed on training.gov.au. For information on guiding students, checklists and frequently asked questions, access using the below link.

Access VET

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Community learning

Students can count up to 90 credits of community learning at Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 towards the completion requirements of the SACE.

However, recognition of community learning is not granted the compulsory requirements of the SACE.

Community learning includes community-directed programs or self-directed programs approved by the SACE Board.

What is a community-developed program?

Organisations such as the Australian Music Examinations Board, The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, and the SA Country Fire Service develop and accredit their own programs that are eligible for recognition towards the SACE.  Download the following table for a comprehensive list of recognised programs.

Students can apply to the SACE Board for recognition of a community-developed program on this list.

Community organisations are also invited to contact the SACE Board if they wish their community award/certificate to be considered for recognition towards the SACE.

The SACE Board will base its decision on the evaluation of a range of information provided by the community organisation (e.g. curriculum documents, syllabuses or guidelines, evidence of student performance at various levels, evidence of quality assurance mechanisms) against the learning to be gained through SACE Board-accredited subjects.

What is a self-directed program?

Individual students can participate in activities that are not formally accredited. Examples of this type of learning include:

  • creating media productions (e.g. films, websites) outside school
  • performing in sport at an elite level or officiating at sporting events
  • planning and coordinating community events
  • taking a leadership role in community groups
  • taking a leadership role in the workplace
  • taking responsibility for the care of an older adult or person with a disability
  • teaching others specialised skills (e.g. dance).

Students need to submit an application form and attend an interview at their school to have their self-directed community learning recognised as part of their SACE.

Students applying for credits at Stage 1 will be interviewed by a school-based assessor. 

Students applying for Stage 2 credits, or a combination of credits at Stage 1 and Stage 2, will be interviewed by both a school-based assessor and a SACE Board assessor. 

Each student will be assessed against the two assessment criteria: knowledge and application, and reflection and critical thinking. The following documents are used to support teachers and students through the process. 

If insufficient evidence is provided, the student should be given the opportunity to provide more evidence at a later date.

Help and support

askSACE@sa.gov.au
1300 322 920

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Other recognised learning

The SACE Board recognises and grants SACE credits for appropriate qualifications, subjects, courses, or learning experiences gained by local, interstate, or overseas students. These include recognition of:

  • community learning programs
  • educational exchange programs
  • exit assessment — SACE Stage 2
  • intensive English learning programs
  • the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
  • interstate and overseas senior secondary school qualifications
  • languages courses (School of Languages, Department for Education and Child Development)
  • qualifications and learning experiences undertaken by adults
  • university studies
  • vocational education and training (VET) qualifications.

See Information Sheet 21 - Recognised learning in the SACE for information and forms related to other recognised learning.

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