QCE system update — February 2025

The QCE and QCIA policy and procedures handbook v6.0 is now available on the QCAA website. A PDF version and change log can be found via the Noticeboard application in the QCAA Portal.

See memo 002/25 for information about the changes.

A new video series featuring clinical psychologist and registered teacher, Dr Judith Locke, is now available on the QCAA website. The nine short videos offer parents and carers practical tips to help them support their child’s learning and wellbeing from Prep to Year 12 and beyond.

Please share this information with your school community — our communications kit includes content and graphics for school use.

Judith’s earlier video series for senior students, with advice to help them balance their study and wellbeing, is available on the myQCE website.

The QCAA’s new Academic integrity alternative format kit is designed to make the Years 10-12 academic integrity course accessible to all students.

It offers flexible delivery methods and inclusive content for students who cannot access the course in the myQCE Student Portal, and gives teachers additional resources to implement the material in class.

The kit is available via the Noticeboard app in the QCAA Portal.

The top achieving 2024 graduates were announced late last year to coincide with the release of Year 12 results.

The 2024 QCE Achievement Award winners will be celebrated at the official awards ceremony on 15 February. The event is sponsored by Griffith University, the University of Southern Queensland and The University of Queensland.

The names of graduates who received the below commendations have been published on the QCAA website (with permission). Certificates were issued via the Student Portal in December 2024.

• Certificate of Academic Commendation recipients
• Subject Achievement Commendation recipients

The updated suite of General, Applied (Essential) and Short Course 2025 syllabuses and the General Extension 2026 syllabuses are now available on the QCAA website and in the Syllabuses app in the QCAA Portal. Syllabus Amendment Reports are also available in the QCAA Portal.

Our professional development sessions on the revised syllabuses continue in 2025 with face-to-face HOD forums and communities of practice workshops. Register via the links below:

The 2024 subject reports are now available. They provide insights into the teaching, learning and assessment cycle for General, General (Extension) and Applied (Essential) subjects. 

See memo 004/25 for details about how to access the reports.

Confirmation changes in 2025

Confirmation review meetings in 2025 will increase to a seven-day period, providing greater opportunity and flexibility for assessors. 

See memo 009/2025 for more details about the changes, including training dates.

A memo about Event 1 preparations will be published later this term.

Apply to become a QCAA assessor (Confirmation)

We’re recruiting Queensland teachers to join the Confirmation team in 2025. Applicants from all subject areas are encouraged to apply, particularly teachers of:

• Aerospace Systems
• Digital Solutions
• Earth and Environmental Science
• Food and Nutrition
• German
• Marine Science
• Music Extension

Applications close on Friday 7 February. Visit the QCAA website for more information.

We're making changes to the Applied and Applied (Essential) quality assurance processes.

From 2025 to 2027 there will be a staged introduction of 2024 Applied syllabuses to the quality assurance process, with meetings starting in early Term 3.

See memo 008/2025 for more information about the changes, including resources to support schools.

Remaining assessment instruments for 2025 completion year subjects (Application 1) must be submitted via the Endorsement app by Friday 14 February.

Application 2 submissions open on 28 February and close on 14 March.

See the QCAA website for more information about Endorsement and how to prepare.

Schools with students undertaking the Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) must follow the QCAA’s policy and procedures, including registering eligible students and creating curriculum plans.

See memo 003/25 for information about key dates and processes for students exiting in 2025 and 2026.

QCIA quality assurance processes

Schools can attend a free webinar on 4, 5 or 6 March about quality assurance processes for QCIA students.

The QCAA reimburses schools for the cost of relief teachers who cover for school staff undertaking selected duties for the QCAA.

See memo 001/25 for information about eligible activities, 2025 TRS rates and processes

Drama external assessment 2025 — prescribed recorded live performance list 

The prescribed recorded live performance list for Drama external assessment (2025) is now available in the QCAA Portal and on the QCAA website. The list was developed with a range of education and community experts and includes the following performances:

• Dust Pilgrim by Red Leap Theatre
• The Wider Earth by Dead Puppet Society
• Paper Sky by Red Leap Theatre

See memo 057/24 for information about how to access the performances and prepare students.

Support resources for Drama and Drama in Practice

We’ve developed new subject matter support resources for the Drama (2025) and Drama in Practice (2024) syllabuses. They’re designed to help Drama teachers understand the subject matter, with key terminology and associated elaborations to support implementation. The resource is available in the QCAA Portal within the ‘additional materials’ section under the ‘implementation’ dropdown.

Webinars to support new Drama resources

Drama teachers and heads of department are invited to a new Curriculum conversations Drama webinar on 11 and 12 February. The event will focus on the new resources for Drama (2025) and Drama in Practice (2024) and give teachers the opportunity to share strategies and ideas for teaching and learning.

Webinar: Implementing the Drama IA2 Dramatic concept

Drama teachers and heads of department can attend a free webinar on 25 and 26 February about the requirements for the Drama IA2 Dramatic concept.

AARA webinars and workshops

We’re running free webinars to help schools understand access arrangements and reasonable adjustments (AARA) processes. Register via the links below:

• AARA in senior schooling — an overview (10 to 13 February)
• Preparing AARA applications (17 to 20 February)
• Submitting AARA applications (24 to 27 February)
• Common AARA explained (13 to 15 May)

While not occurring until Term 3, you can also register for our AARA face to face workshops happening across the state.

Student Management application

Free Student Management webinars are available if you’re new to the app or want a refresher about key dates and processes. Register via the links below:

• Orientation for new users (19 February)
• Recording results for Unit 1 and Unit 2 of General and Applied subjects and Short Courses (5 February and 10 February)

Analytical Dashboard

Our free webinars in Term 1, 2025 are designed to help you get the best out of the Analytical Dashboard app:

• Analysing data with a focus on Quadrant III (5 February and 3 March)
• Analysing data with a focus on Quadrant I (11 February and 4 March)
• Analysing data with a focus on the below trend (12 and 18 February)
• What to do with your data — implementing a school strategy (1 April)

Economics syllabus webinar

New or returning secondary teachers of Economics can attend a free webinar on 5 February to refresh their knowledge of the Economics syllabus. 

Introduction to Legal Studies webinars

Our free Legal Studies webinars on 10 and 19 February and Legal Studies Alternative Sequence webinar on 13 February are designed to familiarise teachers with the revised syllabus requirements. 

Accounting webinar: IA1 project 

Accounting teachers and heads of department can attend a free webinar on 17 March about the requirements for the IA1 project — cash management.

SLQ Curriculum Connect Symposium

The State Library of Queensland’s Curriculum Connect Symposium on 6 March will explore critical thinking skills in an age of misinformation and artificial intelligence (AI). Learn more about the complexities of the digital age and how to foster critical thinking and resilience in students — visit SLQ to find out more and get tickets.

The QCAA is recruiting a Principal Project Officer P-10 Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences. The role is fixed term temporary until 31 December 2025 and applications close 9 February. See SmartJobs for more information

The Senior Education Profile (SEP) calendar lists the key dates for endorsement, assessment, data submission and certification throughout the year — see the QCAA website for the key dates for February.