What is the HSC?

The Higher School Certificate (HSC) is the highest qualification you can achieve at school.

Explore the HSC visual journey and learn more about the HSC through 'Your journey towards the HSC'.

What do I need to do before starting Year 11?

Take the 1 – 2 day course All My Own Work. It’s all about being an honest student, and what happens if you are caught cheating. Your school will usually organise time for you to do this in Term 4 of Year 10.

How does the HSC work?

• You will study 5-7 different subjects.

• During Year 12, you will complete a few tests, projects, or assignments at school. These count towards your final grades, taking some of the pressure off exams!

• In Term 4 of Year 12, every HSC student takes the same exams.

• If you meet all the requirements and complete all assessments, you will receive your HSC – this can help you get into university, TAFE, or even your first job.

• Take the Minimum Standards test before the end of Year 12 – you will need to pass the Minimum Standards test to show you’ve got the skills to take on life after school.

• For more about the HSC, check out the HSC rules and procedures guide.

What subjects can I study?

HSC subject selection is all about working smarter, not harder. You should choose subjects you are interested in, or subjects which are relevant to your dream course or career.

The only compulsory HSC subject is English, and there are different levels to suit you.

All subjects are worth 1 or 2 units. You have to take 12 units worth of subjects in Year 11, but you can drop down to 10 units in Year 12.

If you want to receive an ATAR to help you get into university, make sure you pick 10 units of “Board Developed Courses”.

Your school will provide you with a list of subjects to choose from, but if you’d like to learn a language or take a subject that isn’t offered at your school, you can learn more about your options at:

• Secondary College of Languages - a NSW Department of Education co-educational College that provides a pathway for students to study their heritage language on a Saturday morning.
• Distance Education - a program for students who are geographically isolated or unable to regularly attend school due to their individual circumstances.

You can find advice on choosing your subjects on the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) website. NESA also has information on HSC courses and Board Developed Courses listed by subject.

The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) has a subject compass that helps you choose subjects and set goals for after the HSC.

If you already know what you want to study at university, it’s helpful to check if there are any HSC subjects you need to study for that course.

What's an ATAR?

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates your rank, compared to all other HSC students in NSW, and Year 12 students around the country. So, an ATAR of 70.00 means that you are 30 per cent from the top of all HSC students in NSW.

ATARs are one way of getting into university, but not the only way. Even if you choose HSC subjects that don’t lead to an ATAR, there are many other ways to get into your dream course.

What is the Minimum Standard Test?

As well as the subjects you study and exams you sit, the HSC also requires you to show that you’ve got the reading, writing and numeracy skills to take on life after school by completing The Minimum Standard Test.

You can sit this test six times every year, from Year 10 all the way to five years after starting HSC subjects. There’s no cost to sit for the test.

There’s some more information about the tests, including practise questions and sample questions on the NESA website.

If you have a disability or are taking Life Skills HSC courses, talk to your school – you may not have to sit the Minimum Standard Test.

What happens if I miss too much school?

From Term 4 of Year 10, your attendance is really important – if you’ve missed too much school, TAFE, or part of your apprenticeship or traineeship, you may not meet all the requirements for completing your HSC. Make sure you talk to your school about attendance, illness and misadventure, and getting back on track if you’ve had some time away.

Success Stories and Videos

Hear from students on how they found success in Year 12 and what they are up to post HSC.

Career Planning

There’s life after the HSC, too! Have a look at these websites to help you on a career path, whether that’s university, TAFE, or even a job while you decide. Remember you can always take a gap year between school and whatever comes next to help you decide.

Need help deciding what to do? These websites will help you along the way:

• The myfuture website provides resources to explore career pathways and tools to develop self-knowledge to help with career decision-making.
• The Department of Education has resources to help explain your options after school, inlcuding Vocational Education and Training (VET), TAFE NSW, taking a gap year and work experience or internships.
• The University Admissions Centre (UAC) explains the steps to uni for Year 10 students.

Getting into university

Start by looking at the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) steps to uni for Year 11 and 12 students.

Check out the university information for HSC students page, which points you towards admission pages for universities in NSW and the ACT, to help you find out more about each university.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Admission Schemes

Check for information about admission programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Check each university's program - no matter what your HSC journey was like there's a way to gain entry into your dream university course.

Am I eligible for bonus points to get into university?

If your journey towards the HSC has been bumpier than most people’s, you may be eligible for bonus points to get into university. There’s no shame in applying for bonus points – they make sure everyone who deserves a spot at uni gets a place, regardless of where they come from. Categories include:

• Being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

• Going to school in regional, rural or remote NSW

• Your address is in the lowest 25% of socio-economic disadvantage in Australia

• Moving schools three times or more during Years 10 – 12

• You received financial support, like AbStudy, during school

• Family disruption, e.g. sorry business, being in out-of-home care, caring for a relative

• Having to work during the HSC to support your family or community

• Natural disasters

You can find out more about educational access schemes on the UAC website.

Thinking about a trade or learning new skills?

• Smart and Skilled offers no-cost training to gain the skills you need to get a job and advance your career.
• TAFE could be the place for you.
• Skills NSW can also help you find your path.
• Need a job? Look no further than Workforce Australia.
• Wondering what training you need to get the job you want? Skills NSW has a job guide that can help.
• If you are interested in working in health or nursing, check out the Aunty Fay Carroll training programs.

Career support for Aboriginal Students

Got a question about trades, skills and training programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students? Your local Training Services NSW contact can help.

Need help getting organised to enrol in university, training, or getting a job? Check out the OCHRE Opportunity Hubs.

Want a mentor to guide you through training? Barranggirra is here for you.

There are a number of different programs and scholarships available to help you get through your HSC.

Your school may also have other supports, like Aboriginal Education and Learning Centres, that can help you on your HSC journey. Reach out to your favourite teacher to find out more.

Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups (AECGs)

Junior AECGs aim to:

• Ensure Aboriginal Cultures are represented and embedded throughout the school environment and curriculum;

• Empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through real and active participation in school decision-making;

• Provide a platform for Aboriginal student voice; and

• Advocate for Aboriginal Education.

Talk to your favourite teacher, or your local AECG rep, about establishing a Junior AECG at your school.

Financial Support

The following programs may be helpful in planning for the HSC:

Aboriginal HSC Scholarship Program

• Assists Aboriginal students studying for the HSC with approved expenses to support your studies
• Includes two weeks of work experience every year, mentoring, and opportunities for work after school

Abstudy

• Assists with living costs while studying or training during high school and beyond.

NSW Department of Communities and Justice Scholarships

• Assists Years 10 – 12 students living in social housing (including Aboriginal housing) or out-of-home care with study expenses.

Public Education Foundation Scholarships

• A range of scholarships to support students through school and beyond.

If you don’t have a laptop or internet connection at home to help you complete homework, talk to your school about getting a loan laptop.

Academic Support

There’s no way around it, studying for the HSC is hard work – but you can get help to do your very best.

Talk to your teachers about how to get extra help – your school may also be able to put you in touch with programs and services for your trickiest subjects, or even link you up to an Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre.

Here are some academic supports:

Aurora College

• Aurora College offers HSC study days for students to connect and revise with other students from across the state. A range of experts, experienced teachers and HSC markers present HSC examination advice and up to date information on course content.

Local Libraries

• Chat to the librarians at your local library to see what’s on offer.

• The NSW State Library has a handy HSC resource page with subject guides.

Study hacks

• Check out our favourite study tips pages for the lead up to exams and for exam day.

Other resources

• The HSC Student Guide has all the things you need to know about exams and study in one place.

Wellbeing and Mental Health Support

It’s important to look after your wellbeing whilst you’re studying hard for your HSC and that includes your mental, social, emotional and physical wellbeing. It’s so easy to get caught up in the pressures and worries around getting your HSC that you forget to take some time out to breathe and take a break.

Exercise, nutrition and rest – make sure you make some time to properly recharge your batteries. Good sleep, good food and some movement such as walking, swimming, playing with a footy/basketball with friends/family, being on Country if you’re able to as these are all things that can help.

Need a yarn? If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with study, having a yarn to an Elder, family member, teacher, or close friend may help with relieving some of your worries. Aboriginal Medical Services also have doctors, mental health workers and counsellors you can yarn to about mental health. Remember no question about mental health is a silly question.

Challenge the Storm has some more information about the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors.

Urgent Help

Having a tough time and need someone to talk to? Reaching out and talking to someone is one of the best things you can do.

These free and confidential services operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are available to support, listen and help you out when you need.

Lifeline

• Lifeline offers crisis support and suicide prevention services.

• Phone: 13 11 14 (Available 24 hours a day)

• Chat online at lifeline.org.au (7pm - 12am AEST)

Kids Helpline

• Kids Helpline gives young people aged 5 to 25 free phone and online counselling support.

• Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24 hours a day)

• Chat online at kidshelpline.com.au (24 hours a day)

Beyond Blue

• Beyond Blue can give you information and mental health support. All chats and calls are one-on-one with a trained mental health professional.

• Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24 hours a day)

• Chat online at beyondblue.org.au (3pm - 12am)

Suicide CallBack Service

• Suicide Call Back Service can give you immediate telephone counselling and support in a crisis.

• Phone: 1300 659 467 (24 hours a day)

• Chat online at suicidecallbackservice.org.au (24 hours a day)

1800RESPECT

• 1800RESPECT can help you if you, or someone you know, is experiencing sexual assault or domestic and family violence. It's available for all ages.

• Phone: 1800 737 732 (Available 24 hours)

• Chat online at 1800respect.org.au (24 hours a day)

ReachOut.com

• ReachOut is Australia's leading online mental health organisation for young people and their parents.

• ReachOut Forums offer a safe, supportive and anonymous space for 14-25 year old Australians to chat, connect and support each other.

Headspace – Yarn Safe

• Information that may help you or somebody else, when going through a hard time. There's no shame in talking it out. Headspace is your space to yarn safe.

Managing HSC stress

Stay Healthy HSC has heaps of tips and tricks for looking after yourself and your mates, and surviving the HSC rollercoaster.

Check out this handy factsheet on managing exam stress.

Special Consideration

Sometimes life gets in the way of school – so there’s a special consideration process to make sure it doesn’t stop you from getting your HSC.

If you couldn’t attend school, sit an exam, or hand in a project for a different reason, ask your school about submitting a special consideration application. For more information about illness and misadventure process, visit the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) website.

Disability Provisions

Disability provisions in the HSC are practical arrangements designed to help students show what they know in an exam room fairly. It is not embarrassing to  apply for provisions – more than 7000 HSC students apply for provisions each year.

NESA has more information on disability provisions.

If you are thinking of applying for disability provisions, start by talking to your favourite teacher.