SACE Stage 2 Tourism
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
Tourism is a South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) subject offered at both Stage 1 and Stage 2. At Stage 2 it carries 20 credits under the subject code 2TOS20; at Stage 1 it is available as a 10-credit subject (1TOS10) or a 20-credit subject (1TOS20). The subject is designed for senior secondary students who want to understand the nature of tourists, tourism and the tourism industry. According to the SACE Board's subject overview, students investigate local, national and global tourism, explore tourism as a business, and gain an understanding of the complex economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts of tourism. Assessment differs by stage. At Stage 1, school assessment accounts for 100 per cent of the result. At Stage 2, school assessment contributes 70 per cent and external assessment contributes 30 per cent. The detailed requirements, including the specific assessment tasks and performance standards, are set out in the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Tourism Subject Outline documents published by the SACE Board. To prepare, read the relevant subject outline carefully, confirm with your school how the assessment weightings are applied to your tasks, and build a broad base of contemporary tourism examples you can analyse from economic, social, cultural and environmental perspectives. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the SACE Board.
What you'll study
About SACE Stage 2 Tourism preparation
What is the subject code and credit value for Stage 2 Tourism?
Stage 2 Tourism is coded 2TOS20 and is worth 20 credits. Stage 1 Tourism is offered as a 10-credit subject, coded 1TOS10, or as a 20-credit subject, coded 1TOS20. These codes and credit values are listed in the SACE Board's subject codes table on the Tourism overview page.
How is Tourism assessed at Stage 1 and Stage 2?
The split differs by stage. At Stage 1, school assessment makes up 100 per cent of the result. At Stage 2, school assessment is 70 per cent and external assessment is 30 per cent. The exact tasks within each component are described in the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Tourism Subject Outline documents.
Is there a written exam in Stage 2 Tourism?
The SACE Board's Tourism overview lists external assessment at 30 per cent for Stage 2 but does not describe its specific form on that page. Check the Stage 2 Tourism Subject Outline and your school's assessment plan to confirm what the external component involves for your cohort, rather than assuming it is a written exam.
What content does the subject cover?
The SACE Board states that students develop an understanding of the nature of tourists, tourism and the tourism industry. They investigate local, national and global tourism, explore tourism as a business, and examine the complex economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts of tourism. Expect to apply these ideas to real destinations and operators.
How should I organise my study across the year?
Start with the subject outline so you know the assessment components and their weightings. Then build a bank of tourism examples at local, national and global scales, and practise analysing each one for economic, social, cultural and environmental effects. Because school assessment carries most of the Stage 2 weighting, keep up with coursework tasks rather than leaving them to the end.
What are common ways students lose marks?
Two frequent problems are describing a tourism case study without analysing its impacts, and treating impacts as one-sided rather than recognising both benefits and costs. A third is ignoring scale: the subject asks about local, national and global tourism, so answers that stay at one level may fall short of what the performance standards reward.
Can I retake Tourism if I am unhappy with my result?
The source material provided does not state a retake policy for Tourism, so no specific rule can be confirmed here. Retake and re-enrolment arrangements are governed by the SACE Board's rules of assessment and by your school. Ask your Tourism teacher or school SACE coordinator about the options available in your situation.
Where do I find the official subject outline?
The SACE Board's Tourism overview page links downloadable subject outline documents for Stage 1 and Stage 2 Tourism. These outlines are the authoritative source for content, assessment requirements and performance standards. Your school can also supply the current outline and the learning and assessment plan for your class.
Is this page an official SACE resource?
No. This page is an independent study resource and is not produced, endorsed or affiliated with the SACE Board of South Australia. Always confirm subject codes, weightings and assessment requirements against the official SACE Board Tourism pages and your school's current documentation before relying on them.