WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM PROGRAMS
What does the SCSA do?
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) is the Western Australian Government certification authority responsible for setting the curriculum for over 1100 schools from Kindergarten to Year 12. Reporting directly to the Western Australian Minister for Education and Training, the SCSA is administered by a board of educators with experience in curriculum and assessment from early childhood to post‑graduate university level. Since 1987, the SCSA has been licensing international schools to deliver its curriculum programs overseas. Through the SCSA’s curriculum and support provided to international schools, students are able to access a range of post‑school study and work options.
Which curriculum programs does the SCSA offer?
Overseas schools can be licensed by the SCSA to deliver the following Western Australian curriculum programs:
• Western Australian Kindergarten to Year 10 Curriculum International (WA K–10 International)
• Western Australian Certificate of Education International (WACE International) – Years 11 and 12
• Western Australian Matriculation Program International (WAM International) – Year 12 only.
WA K–10 INTERNATIONAL
What is WA K–10 International?
WA K–10 International provides schools with comprehensive information to:
• plan student learning programs
• assess student progress
• report to parents.
WA K–10 International clearly sets out the knowledge, understanding, skills, values, and attitudes that all students are expected to acquire by completing the curriculum. Successful completion of the curriculum provided within WA K–10 International ensures students are well placed to progress to the WACE International.
How is WA K–10 International structured?
WA K–10 International contains year‑level syllabuses for eight mandated learning areas including:
• English
• Health and Physical Education
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Languages
• Mathematics
• Science
• Technologies
• The Arts.
WACE INTERNATIONAL
What is WACE International?
WACE International is a two‑year senior secondary program, undertaken in Years 11 and 12.
What are the entry requirements for WACE International?
No entry requirements for WACE International are set by the SCSA.
Note: The Western Australian curriculum is written in Standard Australian English and course content must be taught in English to prepare students for the final examinations.
How do we best prepare students for WACE International?
The SCSA can provide a preparatory program in Year 10 to assist overseas students as they transition to Year 11 WACE International studies, manage the transition to a Southern Hemisphere academic calendar and provide additional opportunities to focus on academic English skills.
What courses can be studied as part of WACE International?
Students in overseas schools may enroll in the following courses as part of their WACE International studies:
• English – English, English as an Additional Language or Dialect, English Literature
• Business – Accounting and Finance, Business Management and Enterprise, Economics
• Mathematics – Mathematics Applications, Mathematics Methods, Mathematics Specialist
• Sciences – Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology
• Technologies – Applied Information Technology, Computer Science
• Languages – Please speak to the SCSA to find out which courses are available
• The Arts – Media Production and Analysis.
What certification and acknowledgment can WACE International students receive?
The certification and acknowledgments that can be achieved by WACE International students
includes the:
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
• Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA)
• Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)
• Year 12 exhibitions and awards.
Achievement standard requirement
Achievement of at least 14 C grades or higher (or the equivalent) in Years 11 and 12 units, including at
least six C grades (or equivalents) in Year 12 units.
Completion of:
• at least four Year 12 ATAR courses (Explanatory note 5), or
• at least five Year 12 General courses (Explanatory note 7) (or a combination of General and up to
three Year 12 ATAR courses (Explanatory note 5) or equivalent (Explanatory note 8), or
• a Certificate II (or higher) VET qualification (Explanatory notes 9 and 10) in combination with ATAR,
General or Foundation courses).
WAM INTERNATIONAL
What is WAM International?
WAM International is a world-recognized pre‑university program, providing a seamless transition into universities across Western Australia, Australia (including the Group of Eight), and around the world, including leading universities in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Students can achieve a WACE through the one‑year WAM International, which is the same as the Year 12 program offered in Western Australia.
What courses can be studied as part of WAM International?
Students in overseas schools may enroll in the following courses as part of their WAM International
studies:
• English – English, English as an Additional Language or Dialect, English Literature
• Business – Accounting and Finance, Business Management and Enterprise, Economics
• Mathematics – Mathematics Applications, Mathematics Methods, Mathematics Specialist
• Sciences – Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology
• Technologies – Applied Information Technology, Computer Science
• Languages – Please speak to the SCSA to find out which courses are available
• The Arts – Media Production and Analysis.
What certification and acknowledgment can WAM International students receive?
The certification and acknowledgment that can be achieved by WAM International students
includes the:
• Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE)
• Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA)
• Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)
• Year 12 exhibitions and awards.
Where is WAM International recognized?
The WACE is recognized nationally and internationally by universities and other tertiary institutions, industry, and training providers.