WACE after Year 12
There is no specified time limit for the completion of a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). Individuals may accumulate their results in WACE units and Vocational Education and Training (VET) credit transfer for WACE achievement over a lifetime.
Students who did not demonstrate the literacy (reading and writing) or numeracy standard
If you have not achieved a WACE because you did not demonstrate the standard in one or more of the reading, writing or numeracy components, you can apply to re-sit the necessary test/s as long as you:
- were in Year 12 in 2016 or any subsequent year
- have sat the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) previously.
If you subsequently demonstrate the literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy standard, and meet all the WACE requirements current at the time, you will be issued with a WACE.
Post-Year 12 students can access the online numeracy and assessment (OLNA) tests twice each year.
2025 Testing window dates
Window | Writing | Reading and Numeracy |
|---|---|---|
1 | 26–27 February | 26 February–14 March* |
2 | 8–9 September | 8–19 September* |
Students may sit the tests at either:
- the Authority’s offices
- a site with a supervisor approved by the Authority, or
- a school.
The Authority’s offices
Post-Year 12 students are provided with the opportunity to sit the OLNA at the Authority’s offices in the first three days of each window. The Authority’s offices are located at 303 Sevenoaks St, Cannington.
Site with a supervisor approved by the Authority
Post-Year 12 students may sit the OLNA tests at a site other than a school or the Authority’s offices as long as it can be guaranteed that the site has a supervisor approved by the Authority, and that travel to the Authority’s offices would be unreasonable. An OLNA Approved Supervisor form must be completed before approval can be considered.
School
Post-Year 12 students are required to negotiate with the school of their choice to identify a suitable date and time.
Applications for Window 1, 2025 closed on Friday, 14 February 2025 at 4 pm.
Applications for Window 2, 2025 will open mid-July 2025.
Applications will close on Thursday, 21 August 2025 at 4 pm.
Further information about the OLNA can be found in the answers to frequently asked questions for post‑Year 12 students.
VET achievements
If you have not yet achieved a WACE and either:
- were in Year 12 in 2023 and have since completed a VET qualification (closing date 13 May 2024)
or
- are not currently enrolled in a secondary school or are returning to education and have completed a VET qualification since you were last enrolled in secondary education,
you can provide the evidence of achievement via the following online form.
The Authority will add the details to your student record and if you then meet all of the WACE requirements, you will be issued with a WACE. If approved, achievement of nationally recognised VET qualifications is awarded unit equivalence according to the current Year 11 and 12 equivalence structure (see WACE Manual). Please note that achievement in accredited courses do not automatically contribute to the WACE.
Any queries please email vetinfo@scsa.wa.edu.au.