In order for students to be eligible for a WACE at the end of Year 12, they must satisfy the following requirements:

•        Complete The Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) to demonstrate a minimum standard based on skills regarded as essential for individuals to meet the demands of everyday life and work in a knowledge-based economy. Students who have achieved band 8 or higher in Yr 9 NAPLAN (Reading, Writing and Numeracy) will pre-qualify for this test and automatically have demonstrated the standard.

•        Achieve a minimum of 14 C grades in Year 11 and Year 12 units (or equivalents) including at least 6 C grades in Year 12 units (or equivalents).

•        Complete a minimum of four Year 12 ATAR courses including the external examinations (i.e. be eligible for an ATAR) OR complete a Certificate II or higher.

•        Complete two Year 11 English units and a pair of Year 12 English units.

•        Complete at least one pair of units from a Year 12 List A (arts/languages/social sciences) course and one pair of units from a Year 12 List B course (mathematics/sciences/technologies).

•        Complete at least 20 units (or equivalents) including a minimum of 10 Year 12 units.

If students do not meet the literacy and numeracy standard by the time they exit secondary school, they can apply to the Authority to re-sit the assessment in subsequent years to then achieve their WACE. All students (whether they have achieved the WACE or not) will receive a Western Australian Statement of Student Achievement – a record of all courses and or programs completed.