High School Program (Year 7 to Year 12)

The Tasmanian Government High School Program provides students with a comprehensive and academically focused education. It is uniquely structured to allow a smooth transition from Junior High School (Years 7-10) to Senior High School (Years 11-12), known as Collage, ensuring students are prepared for higher education and future success.

High school years

High School students are aged between 12 and 18 years old. Year 7 to 12 (total duration up to 6 years) form high school classes.

Junior High Schools

Tasmanian Government Junior High Schools are for students in Year 7 – 10 (approximately 12 – 15 years of age).

Junior High School provide an environment for students to continue to develop literacy, numeracy and IT, as well as interpersonal skills like planning, problem solving, time management and decision making. Students study a mix of compulsory and elective subjects aligned with their interests and academic and career aspirations . Each school also offers a range of extracurricular (enrichment) activities, including sport, music and excursions.

Expand all Collapse all

Students study across various learning areas, including:

English
Health and Physical Education
Humanities and Social Sciences
Languages
Mathematics
Science
Technologies
The Arts

In Year 7 and 8, students will study a range of compulsory subjects, including core subjects Mathematics, Science, English, and Humanities, as well as recreational subjects such as Physical Education, Art, Computing, and Design and Technology.

In Year 9 and 10, students will continue to study compulsory core subjects – Mathematics, Science, English, and Humanities – and select other subjects they would like to study. For example, a student that has a strong interest in Science and Computing may elect to study Computing and Extended Science.

Junior high schools typically offer English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

The EAL support is a needs-based service depending on a student’s English skill level. EAL tuition will be delivered alongside mainstream subjects, such as Mathematics, Science and History and Art. This means that students will get to attend classes with local Tasmanian classmates, ensuring natural language immersion.

Additional English language support is also provided on-campus by support teachers.

Junior High Schools do not typically require students to sit examinations. Instead, students are assessed throughout the school year, including assignments, projects, and tests.

Students are required to wear a school uniform in Junior High Schools. The school will provide information regarding uniform requirements for the student to purchase on arrival in Tasmania.

If a student is only studying at a Junior High School for a short period of time, the student may not have to wear a uniform, or the school may provide the student with a uniform to borrow.

Senior High Schools (Colleges)

In Tasmania, Senior High Schools are structured differently to some other states, providing a dedicated Year 11-12 campus (students are typically aged 16 to 18) that supports an independent and focused learning environment to help students develop the skills and work ethic necessary for successful tertiary studies or future employment.

Expand all Collapse all

With the guidance of teachers, students design a personal program of learning based on interests, abilities, learning goals, and career aspirations.

There is a wide range of subjects on offer, including academic focused subjects such as Maths, Science, History, and Religion, but also other subjects such as Photography, Drama, and Outdoor Education

Students are required to study an English subject, for example, English as an Additional Language, alongside other elected subjects. If the student has advanced English level, the student may choose to study an English subject with local students, such as Literature, Writing or English Inquiry.

Additional English tuition and support is available on-campus outside of this subject.

Assessment in Senior High Schools will depend on subjects the student has elected to study. For the majority of subjects, assessment will include assignments, projects and tests throughout the school year, in addition to two examination periods per year. Generally, around 70% of a student’s final marks are generated internally (from assignments etc) and 30% are from exams.

Students are not required to wear a school uniform. Students can choose what to wear to school, but typically they will wear casual comfortable clothing such as jeans, shorts or skirts, a jumper, and comfortable shoes.

Program benefits

Our High School Program offers students a different learning experience to what they can have at home. It is focused on those students seeking to graduate high school in Tasmania and qualify for university in Australia or another country.

Expand all Collapse all

The Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) is the qualification awarded to students who satisfy prescribed requirements. Generally, students will complete Senior High School (Year 11 and 12) in Tasmania to achieve the TCE.

TCE is recognised throughout Australia by universities and employers. Students must complete two years of study at Senior High School to achieve this qualification and meet all of the TCE standards.

Visit Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE) – TASC for more information on TCE.

In Australia, all universities allocate places to students based on their Year 11 and 12 school results. The student’s Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is derived from their TCE results.

In Senior High School (Year 11 – 12), students can select subjects that align with their aspirations and interests. With assistance and guidance from teachers, students will develop a personalised study program aimed at achieving an ATAR and gaining access to an Australian university.

Visit University entrance – TASC for more information on receiving an ATAR in Tasmania.

Our High School program is designed to inspire students for personal growth and independence.

Students are able to make lifelong friendships with friends at school and homestay families if they choose to stay with the Tasmanian Government School Homestay Program.

Find out more information on student accommodation.

Student services and support

Student wellbeing and welfare is fundamental to learning. We are committed to ensuring every student is known, safe, well and learning.

A range of student services and support is available for international students throughout their studies.

Find out more information on the student services and support.

Entry requirements

Students’ academic aspirations and success are important to us. Students must have satisfied relevant academic and English requirements prior to commencing their course of study.

Expand all Collapse all

At the time of application, students are required to demonstrate they have achieved satisfactory achievement over the previous two years of schooling.

To meet the minimum English language requirements for Year 9 to 12, a student must provide documented evidence that the student has:

been taught at a school for at least 2 years where English is the primary language of instruction; or
achieved:
- a general IELTS test score of at least 4.0 (overall) or equivalent for Year 9 entry;
- a general IELTS test score of at least 4.5 (overall) or equivalent for Year 10 entry;
- a general IELTS test score of at least 5.0 (overall) or equivalent for Year 11 and Year 12 entry.

Please refer to Tasmanian Government Schools Admission and Enrolment Guide (PDF, 418KB) for details of other recognised English language tests.

In limited circumstances, acceptance of other English language proficiency evidence will be at the discretion of Tasmanian Government Education International, assessed on a case-by-case basis.