The Board considers applications for recognition from students with interstate or overseas senior secondary qualifications (including the International Baccalaureate Diploma). 

In making an application, certificates or final school reports (translated into English if necessary) are required. Students may seek translation services from the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection or the Government of South Australia Interpreting and Translating Centre. Documents should clearly indicate the country where the study has occurred. Application forms with documents are to be submitted to the SACE Board for approval. If submitting evidence, please enclose copies of documents, not originals. 

Students can gain a maximum of 110 credits at Stage 1 for an interstate or overseas qualification, and an additional 20 credits can be recognised at Stage 2 for an interstate or overseas qualification. 

Students who have successfully completed a full Australian or overseas senior secondary program that is considered the equivalent of Stage 1 will be granted up to 110 credits at Stage 1 (70 credits, plus 20 credits for meeting the literacy requirement, 10 credits for meeting the numeracy requirement, and 10 credits for Exploring Identities and Futures). Such students are required to demonstrate that they have met the literacy and numeracy requirements from the range of options described in the SACE Accreditation, Recognition, and Certification policy, which is part of the SACE Policy Framework. 

Students who successfully complete an Australian or overseas senior secondary program and who enrol during Year 11 (Stage 1) may apply for some credits at Stage 1. The equivalent of one semester of Stage 1 study will be granted a maximum of 50 credits. Students who enrol at the start of, or during, Semester 1 are required to complete Exploring Identities and Futures and demonstrate that they have met the literacy and numeracy requirements.

Students with interstate or overseas qualifications (including the International Baccalaureate Diploma), who begin their Stage 1 studies in Semester 2, or who undertake Stage 2 only, will be granted recognition against Exploring Identities and Futures.

Students who have partially completed Year 12 senior secondary school certificates from other states (e.g. the Victorian Certificate of Education, the Tasmanian Certificate of Education, or the New South Wales Higher School Certificate) may apply for credits at Stage 2; however, scores cannot be credited. If a Year 12 subject has been successfully completed, recognition will be granted towards SACE completion, and an equivalent score will be calculated for tertiary admission purposes. Up to 20 credits can be recognised at Stage 2. 

Recognition will not be granted for Stage 2 Activating Identities and Futures or Research Project or for the compulsory 60 credits at Stage 2.

Students with interstate or overseas qualifications should apply for recognition at Stage 1 and Stage 2 using Form 12.