When you move to Australia, there are lots of new systems to navigate. Education is one of them. If you have school-age children or you’re considering further study yourself, you’ll probably come across the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank).
At Remitly, we know that settling into a new country comes with plenty of learning curves, and we’re here to support you. In this guide, we’ll help you understand the ATAR system, covering how it affects Year 12 students, how it’s calculated, and how to plan for life beyond the ATAR.
Understanding the ATAR System in Australia
As you and your family settle into life in Australia, you’ll probably hear about the ATAR. Many students see it as their ticket to higher education, but there’s more to it than just a number.
What is the ATAR and why does it matter?
The ATAR is an important part of the university admissions process in Australia. Unlike a test score, your ATAR is a ranking, not a percentage. If you get an ATAR of 80.00, it means you performed better than about 80% of students in your state or territory. The highest ATAR possible is 99.95, awarded to the top students.
The ATAR helps universities compare applicants and decide who qualifies for their courses. But don’t worry, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Some universities also consider personal statements, interviews, and special adjustments like extra points for certain subjects, living in very remote areas, or personal backgrounds.
How universities use the ATAR
Universities use the ATAR to decide who gets into certain degrees.
- Highly competitive courses like law and medicine often ask for ATARs in the 90s.
- Other courses might accept a lower ATAR, depending on demand and places available.
If your ATAR meets or exceeds the entry requirements, you’ll probably receive an offer from your chosen university. But universities don’t rely on ATAR alone, they also consider extra factors like work experience, school recommendations, or alternative entry programs.
How the ATAR fits into Australia’s education system
Every state in Australia has its own Year 12 system and exams. Even though the systems are different, they all lead to the same result: an ATAR (or equivalent rank) that’s used nationwide.
Organisations like the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) and the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) calculate and distribute ATARs to help standardise university admissions across Australia.
Who receives an ATAR?
If you’re new to Australia and its education system, you might be wondering who actually receives an ATAR and what it means for your university plans. Not every high school student automatically gets one, and not everyone goes straight to university after Year 12.
Who can get an ATAR?
The ATAR is mainly for students finishing Year 12 who plan to go to university. To be eligible, you need to complete a recognised Year 12 certificate and meet certain requirements. For example, in New South Wales (NSW), students must complete at least 10 units of ATAR-approved subjects, including two units of English. These subjects usually involve a mix of school-based assessments and final exams.
If you’re an international student studying at high school in Australia, you can also receive an ATAR, as long as you take the same subjects and exams as local students.
Different educational systems and the ATAR
Each state and territory in Australia has its own system of certification for students:
- HSC in NSW
- VCE in Victoria
- QCE in Queensland
- WACE in Western Australia
- SACE in South Australia
- TASC in Tasmania
- NTCET in the Northern Territory
- ACT Senior Secondary Certificate in the Australian Capital Territory
While the exams and subjects may differ between these regions, the ATAR system helps standardise results across the country. That means a student in Sydney can apply for a university in Perth or Brisbane without any confusion.
What if you don’t finish Year 12?
Not everyone completes Year 12, and that’s okay. Some students leave school early for personal reasons or to start work. If you don’t finish Year 12, you won’t receive an ATAR, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go to university later.
There are plenty of alternative pathways to higher education, including:
- Bridging courses help you meet university entry requirements.
- TAFE diplomas and certificates that can lead to university programs.
- Foundation programs are designed to prepare students for a degree.
Many employers also look at work experience, skills, and other qualifications, so while completing Year 12 is the standard way, it’s not the only way to build a successful future. We’ll take a closer look at these other options later in the article.
How is the ATAR calculated?
The ATAR might seem like just a number, but there’s a complex process behind how it’s worked out. It’s based on your final subject marks, which usually come from a mix of school assessments and final exams.
These marks are collected and adjusted to create your overall rank, though the specific scoring system differs between states. So, for example:
- In NSW, these are called HSC marks.
- In Victoria, your results contribute to your VCE score.
- In Queensland, your final grades factor into your QCE.
Most states use your best English score plus your next-highest subjects to calculate your ATAR. You’ll also need to complete a minimum number of other eligible subjects to qualify.
Why does scaling matter?
Not all subjects are equal; some are harder, some have stronger competition, and some consistently have students who perform very well. That’s why scaling exists.
If you score 90 in a competitive subject like a high-level science, it might be scaled up to reflect its difficulty. Meanwhile, a score of 90 in a less competitive subject may be scaled down so that all students are compared fairly across different subjects.
After scaling, your best subject scores are added together to form your total score. This is then converted into a percentile rank showing how you compare to all other Year 12 students. The final ATAR is given on a scale from 0.00 to 99.95, increasing in increments of 0.05. No specific score below 30 is ever published, however—the very lowest scores are just given as “below 30.”
Calculation differences across states
While the concept is similar nationwide, the fact that each state manages its own ATAR calculation means that if you move to a city in a different state during your school career, you may need to check local guidelines to see how it works.
However, once you’ve got your final ATAR rank, it will be recognised and understood everywhere.
Understanding ATAR scores
You might have a number in mind that you think is probably a good ATAR score. But it’s not quite that simple.
A “good” ATAR score really depends on your goals. As we said, medicine or law degrees might demand ATARs in the 90s, but other degrees could accept scores in the 70s or 80s. Some universities even offer entry for students with ATARs in the 50s or 60s, depending on demand and available places of course.
A lower ATAR doesn’t mean your options are closed, either, thanks to the other ways into university we mentioned earlier.
Interpretation of ATAR scores and rank
Your ATAR is a rank, not a mark. Here’s what that means:
- An ATAR of 85 means you’re in the top 15% of students in your year.
- An ATAR of 50 places you in the middle of the pack.
Like we’ve said, though, universities don’t only look at ATARs. Particularly for degrees in creative subjects, most institutions will also take other factors into account.
Common misconceptions about ATAR scores
- They’re forever
People often think your ATAR defines your entire future. That’s not true—plenty of people change career direction later in life, or find other ways into higher education. - It’s a personal rating
The ATAR doesn’t say you’re “80% good.” It compares you to other students. That’s why it doesn’t go up to 100—to score that, you’d have to be better than everyone including yourself, which is of course impossible. - A lower ATAR means no options
Many success stories start with bridging courses, TAFE diplomas, or gap years, proving the ATAR is just one step on a longer journey.
What if you didn’t get the ATAR you hoped for?
Missing out on a particular ATAR cut-off might be disappointing, but it doesn’t mean your academic journey is over. If you haven’t finished Year 12 and have no ATAR, or your score didn’t quite hit the heights you were hoping for, all is not lost. There are many other ways to reach your goals:
- TAFE or vocational training (VET)
Gain industry-relevant skills in fields like IT, business, or healthcare, and later transfer into university. - Bridging programs
Some universities allow you to re-sit subjects or take extra courses to improve your rank. - Mature-age entry
If you’re an adult returning to study, many universities assess your work experience rather than relying on an ATAR. - Enabling courses
Short, typically free or low-cost programs that prepare you for a specific degree. - Adjustment factors
Some universities grant bonus points if you perform well in certain Year 12 subjects, if you come from a remote area, or have a disadvantaged background. These boost your selection rank beyond your raw ATAR.
Long-term impacts and opportunities beyond the ATAR
While a high ATAR can open doors, it’s not the only way to succeed. Many top professionals and business leaders took different routes to get where they are. Australia’s education system is flexible, offering part-time study, online degrees, and pathways that allow you to learn at any stage of life.
And if you’re looking for work in Australia, remember that employers also value experience, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to learn. These are things that an ATAR alone can’t measure. So if you didn’t hit your ATAR target, don’t see it as the end of the road—it just means you’ll take a different path to your goal.
FAQs
How is the ATAR score calculated in Australia?
Each state or territory calculates a total based on a student’s scaled results in their best subjects, usually including English because it’s a mandatory subject. That total is then compared against those of other students in Year 12 at the same time, converting your performance into a rank from 0.00 to 99.95. Scaling ensures fairness between subjects of varying difficulty.
What’s a good ATAR score in Australia?
What’s “good” depends on your ambitions. To get into a really competitive university degree like medicine or law you’ll almost certainly need an ATAR above 90. But other programs have lower cut-offs, and even if your ATAR is below the entry threshold, alternative pathways or bridging courses can help you reach your preferred degree.
How does ATAR scale work?
Scaling adjusts raw marks so students aren’t advantaged or disadvantaged by taking certain subjects. If a subject is considered harder, or lots of students perform really well one year in a specific subject, marks in that subject may scale up or down slightly. The idea is to keep the system fair across a range of disciplines.
How does Year 12 ATAR work?
Throughout Year 12, students complete internal assessments and final exams. These produce a set of results, which get scaled. The student’s top subjects (including English) combine to form an aggregate. This aggregate is ranked against the Year 12 cohort, resulting in a percentile-like number, the ATAR. Universities then use the ATAR as part of their admissions criteria.