Graduate Certificates -

A.C.E. Graduate Certificates are issued by Accelerate Educational Ministries (AEM), who recognise when a child has successfully completed their Senior Secondary studies, using the A.C.E. program. It confirms that your child has finished the required courses and credits for their chosen graduate certificate pathway.

To obtain a graduate certificate, a child must complete a set number of credits for specific core subject areas, including English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, and Christian Studies. The required number of credits must be obtained for each of these, along with additional credits from elective courses.

A certificate pathway that includes the courses to be studied, must be registered before beginning coursework. This ensures all completed work is counted towards the desired certificate. Once all required coursework, credits, assessment and moderation checks have been completed, AEM issues a Graduate Certificate. This can be used for work, further tertiary study, or university entrance (depending on the chosen pathway).

A.C.E. Certificate Options

Pre-Graduate Certificate – suitable for those wanting to move into employment, TAFE studies, apprenticeships, or further vocational study.

Record of Attainment

Graduate Certificates – recommended for those desiring to gain entrance into university, including higher academic requirements.

AUSTRALIA and OTHER REGIONS

Year 10 Certificate
Senior Secondary Certificate (Year 12 equivalent)
- non-endorsed
- Senior Secondary Academic Certificate
- Senior Secondary Academic Certificate Level 3 Endorsed

NEW ZEALAND (and countries that recognise NZ Certificates)

New Zealand High School Certificate (HSC)
- non-endorsed
- Level 1 endorsed
- Level 2 endorsed
New Zealand High School Advanced Certificate (HSAC)
- non-endorsed
- High School Advanced Certificate NZ Level 3 Endorsed
Certificate of Achievement
- non-endorsed
- NZ Level 1 endorsed
- NZ Level 2 endorsed
- NZ Level 3 endorsed

How does it work?

From around Year 9 in Australia (or Year 10 in New Zealand), once your child reaches PACE 1085 in four or more subjects, they can begin a certificate pathway aligned with their future goals—whether that’s employment, an apprenticeship, TAFE, or university.

A 'certificate pathway' is a study path or plan of study that enables a child to earn a graduate certificate, making the learning journey clear and tailored to a child's future goals. The requirements for these are determined by Accelerate Educational Ministries' Academic Council. This pathway outlines the required credits, core subjects (English, Maths, Science, Social Studies and Christian Studies), and suitable electives. It’s important to register the pathway early so that all senior-level work contributes toward the graduate certificate. As your child progresses, the pathway helps track completion and ensures they remain on course. If goals change, adjustments can be made with support from your consultant.

Why does it matter?

A clear pathway helps ensure your child completes the right subjects and earns the required credits, without unnecessary work. It also supports their future direction—university pathways include academically rigorous subjects, while vocational pathways allow for more practical course choices. Planning ahead provides clarity and confidence for both parents and students, helping to reduce pressure and avoid the need to “catch up” later in the senior years.

What support is available?

We support you parents with children nearing completion of or starting out with PACEs in the 1080-1085 range to plan a certificate pathway for their child, with the goal of obtaining a particular graduate certificate. Our Certificate Pathways page (Members access only) has all the details for each certificate, including the following supporting documents:

Certificate Overview documents: purpose, requirements, rules and process for obtaining each type of graduate certificate.
Guide to Certificate Courses booklet: contains a brief description of each of the Certificate Courses.
Course Selection documents: course options and credit requirements for certificates.