General Information

• Identify your top 12 units for Year 11: Consider your interests, future pathway (work ready, university, other) and previous academic performance.

• Know your teachers’ recommendations: Talk to your teachers and review previous academic reports. This is important so that you select the right level of English and Mathematics. It also has implications for other subjects, such as Science.

• Do your research: Use the NESA website, check university information, see your Careers Teacher (Mr White), or consult the Leader of VET (Ms Lampe) if you’re interested in TAFE or SBATs.

• Information Sessions: Listen attentively when the Leaders of Learning provide additional information at sessions integrated into the Year 10 Examination schedule.

• Attend the Subject Selection Interviews: Discuss and discern your subject selection with a Leader of Learning or College Executive member in Week 9 of Term 2.

• Select your subjects: Complete the online subject selection process in Week 10 of Term 2.

• At Xavier Catholic College, students must complete at least one course in Religious Education (a complete course is of two years duration). Students may elect to move from Studies of Religion II to Studies of Religion I at the end of Year 11 provided they maintain a minimum of ten units of study. It is not possible for students to change from any Studies of Religion course to Catholic Faith in Action/Active volunteering, other than in exceptional circumstance, as they are distinct courses.

• When selecting courses, students and parents should be realistic in their choices and clear about the reasons for those choices.

• Students should choose only those courses which they are capable of managing at senior level;

• Selection should be based on interest, past performance and requirements for future pathways.

• Students should be aware of requirements for various universities and the prerequisites for various courses offered at Tertiary Institutions.  This information can be obtained from your Careers Adviser;

• Students should consider the demands of choosing a number of courses with a major practical component;

• Students do not select courses from timetable “lines”. Rather they select their top 12 units in order of preference and 5 units as back up courses. Please note that there is a very high probability that these “back up” courses will be included in a student's pattern of study. Online software will ensure the maximum number of students will receive their selected courses.

• Year 11 Elective Fees are accurate for 2026 at time of publication. Year 12 2027 Elective Fees may be subject to an increase. 

Students doing the HSC should select courses that align with their abilities, passions and future aspirations. 

Find out more about HSC course selection, types of courses and HSC pathways. 

About subject selection

• Your aim is to attain the best Higher School Certificate (HSC) result you can. You should choose courses that you are good at, interested in and may use in the future.

• Here's how you can make the right choices when selecting your courses for the HSC:

• Course requirements – know the details of the course you're considering. Find out if there are any major works or performances required as part of the exams.

• Discover the opportunities – each Year 11 and 12 course description can tell you more about potential pathways, including further study, training, and career options after you finish school.

• Check in with your teacher – talk to your teachers about your strengths, weaknesses, and the specific requirements of each course before making your selection.

Meeting HSC eligibility requirements

Learn what students need to know about eligibility, study patterns and course requirements.

Eligibility basics

To be eligible for the HSC, you must fulfil the following criteria:

• Satisfactorily complete Years 9 and 10 or obtain equivalent qualifications recognised by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

• Attend a government school, an accredited non-government school, a NESA recognised school outside NSW, or a TAFE college.

• Successfully complete the HSC: All My Own Work program (or its equivalent) before submitting any work for Preliminary or HSC courses. You do not need to do if you're only enrolled in Year 11 and Year 12 Life Skills courses.

• Satisfactorily complete the required courses as part of the specified study patterns.

• Sit for, and make a serious attempt at the HSC exams as required.

• Meet the HSC minimum standard of literacy and numeracy within 5 years of starting your HSC course.

Understanding study patterns and course requirements

To meet HSC requirements, you must complete the following patterns of study:

• preliminary pattern – must include at least 12 units

• HSC pattern – must include at least 10 units.

Both patterns of study must include at least:

• 6 units of Board Developed Courses

• 2 units of a Board Developed Course in English

• 3 courses with 2 or more units, either Board Developed or Board Endorsed Courses

• 4 subjects.

Some courses have specific rules and prerequisites. For instance, while you can include 2 units of English Studies in your 6 units of Board Developed Courses, it will only count towards your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) if you sit the optional HSC exam.

Certain Languages courses, such as Beginners, [Language] in Context, and [Language] and Literature, have eligibility rules to ensure they match your proficiency in the language.

Types of HSC Courses

Find out the different types of HSC courses and what they count towards.

Board Developed Courses

Board Developed Courses are the large number of courses set and examined by NESA that can contribute to the calculation of the ATAR. These include:

• general education courses

• VET Industry Curriculum Framework courses

• Life Skills courses (not examined).

View a list of all Board Developed Courses.

Board Endorsed Courses

Board Endorsed Courses count towards the HSC but do not have a HSC exam and do not contribute towards the calculation of the ATAR. These include:

• Content Endorsed Courses

• VET Board Endorsed Courses

• School developed Board Endorsed Courses

• University developed Board Endorsed Courses.

Vocational education and training (VET)

VET courses contribute towards the HSC credential and Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) VET qualification. They are recognised by industry and employers throughout Australia. Board Developed VET courses have an optional HSC exam that means students who choose to sit the exam, the results may also contribute to the calculation of your ATAR. Check with your school about whether this will be possible for you.

VET courses can be studied either at school or through TAFE NSW and other training providers. Students will need to check with the school about which courses are available and the requirements of the different courses. For example, some VET courses require a minimum number of hours in the work place.

Life Skills

Students with intellectual disability can pursue their HSC through Life Skills courses. They have specific entry requirements, and while they don't count towards an ATAR, students still need to meet general eligibility and study patterns to earn the HSC. Talk with the Year Adviser or Careers Adviser to find out whether these courses are suitable.

Students may wish to study online courses available via external providers if they are not available on site. Courses are primarily available via The Online Education Centre (Diocese of Lismore) or Southern Cross School of Distance Education.  Students must ensure they are self motivated to undertake these courses.

Students must meet eligibility criteria to study distance and online education courses.

Available Courses

Course availability varies with different providers. Subjects typically available via the Online Education Centre include:

• Engineering Studies

• Software Engineering

• Aboriginal Studies

• Japanese Beginners

• Economics

• Information Processes & Technology

• Enterprise Computing

A list of subjects available via the Southern Cross School of Distance Education, including Languages, is available via the Southern Cross School of Distance Education website: https://southerncross.instructure.com/courses/5394 

Please note that subjects will only run if sufficient numbers choose to enrol in each course. 

Assessment & Reporting

Assessment of students enrolled in the courses takes place through a variety of tasks that students submit. All formal assessment will be conducted at the College under the supervision of the Leader of Curriculum. Students will receive a report on their progress each semester via their external education provider.

Course Requirements

There are no prerequisites to studying online subjects, other than in some Languages courses. All course requirements will be provided on confirmation of enrolment in the course.

Course Costs

Costs range from $400-$800+ per year, per course, and will be billed to your school fees. Externally-delivered courses are billed at an additional cost to annual Xavier Catholic College tuition fees. Upon enrolment in a course, parents will be required to sign a form acknowledging the additional fees associated with enrolment. Costs will be confirmed by the external education provider upon enrolment and may vary between individual courses. The College cannot confirm costs prior to enrolment. Any queries must be directed to the external education provider.

How to Enrol

Enrolment in online courses is completed as part of the Year 10 into Year 11 Subject Selection Process. Advice must be sought from the Leader of Curriculum and Assistant Principal: Learning & Teaching prior to application. The application will also require Principal approval.

Important Questions to Consider

• Do I have any existing computer-related skills?

• Am I able to work well on my own with limited supervision?

• Can I converse well in writing using the internet?

• Will I be able to attend after-school classes each week if required?

• Am I motivated, self-disciplined, and have good time management skills?

• Can I dedicate at least six hours per week to the study of an online subject?

Further Information

To find out more, please visit:

• Online Education Centre: https://oec.lism.catholic.edu.au/   

• Southern Cross School of Distance Education: https://southerncross.instructure.com/courses/5394