What is the ATAR?

ATAR, short for "Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank", is a percentile ranking used by universities in Australia that shows how well a student achieved in Year 12 relative to other students in their cohort. It is a crucial component in university admissions and applies to students completing senior secondary certificates like VCE (Victoria), HSC (New South Wales), QCE (Queensland), SACE (South Australia), WACE (Western Australia), TCE (Tasmania), NTCE (Northern Territory), and IB (International Baccalaureate). The ATAR has been adopted in Australia for use by universities to assess which students to make offers to for admission to a particular tertiary course (hence Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank).

This score varies between 0 and 99.95 and in increments of 0.05. For example, an ATAR of 80.00 means that a student is in the top 20% of their cohort while an ATAR of 99.00 means a student is in the top 1%.

What is the highest ATAR score you can get?

The highest ATAR that you can achieve is 99.95, which signifies that a student out performed 99.95% of their peers. Each year, only a select number of students achieve this perfect score, placing them in an elite academic bracket.

What is the average ATAR score?

Typically, the average ATAR is usually around 70.00, although this varies slightly by state. This may seem counterintuitive, and many students are surprised that the average is not closer to 50.00—this is because a large percentage of students leave school before Year 12 and do not receive an ATAR, skewing the average score higher.

What is a good ATAR score?

What is considered a "good" ATAR is subjective and will vary student to student. What is considered a "good" ATAR to a student will likely depend on:

• Personal Goals: A student's academic record, ambitions, and expectations compared to the score they achieve, including the score relative to their peers; and
• University Entry Requirements: What tertiary course a student wants to do post-year 12 and the minimum ATAR required to do that course at their ideal university. For instance, some degrees require an ATAR of 90+ (e.g. medicine, law), while others may accept an ATAR in the 60s or 70s.

To check ATAR requirements for specific courses, visit:

• VTAC (Victoria)
• UAC (NSW & ACT)
• QTAC (Queensland)
• SATAC (SA & NT)
• TISC (WA)
• University Admissions Centre Tasmania

What is the lowest ATAR score you can get?

The ATAR spectrum ranges from 0 and 99.95, meaning a student can score 0. However, all scores below 30 are reported to students simply as "less than 30".

How is the ATAR calculated?

The ATAR calculation involves a comprehensive process that varies depending on Year 12 curriculum (ie. HSC, VCE, QCE, SACE, WACE, TCE, IB etc.).

Each State/Territory has its own method for calculating the ATAR, but generally the approach is the same and involves:

• Scaling and moderation of subject scores to accurately determine where that student performed relative to their peers. This includes consideration of the relative difficulty of the subject completed and the 'strength of competition' in those subjects;
• Comparing student performance across schools, ie. how that student's school performed relative to other schools (to adjust for differences in how a school may grade or how difficult internal assessments were); and
• Ranking students within the entire Year 12 cohort.

Here's how ATARs are calculated across VCE, HSC, QCE, SACE, WACE and IB:

Victoria (VCE)

In Victoria, the VCE ATAR is calculated by determining a student's aggregate score, which is made up of:

• The top four scaled study scores, including at least one English or equivalent subject.
• 10% of the scaled scores from the fifth and sixth subjects (if applicable).

This method ensures that students are fairly ranked based on their performance relative to their peers while accounting for differences in subject difficulty and competition levels. The final ATAR is then determined by comparing the student’s aggregate score to the 2024 Scaled Aggregate to ATAR Table published by VTAC.

👉 For more technical details on subject scaling, visit: How ATAR Scaling Works in Victoria

Worked Example: VCE ATAR Calculation

To illustrate how the ATAR is determined, consider the following example where a student has completed six VCE subjects:

Step 1: Scaling of Study Scores

Each raw study score is scaled by VTAC to reflect subject difficulty and competition level.

Step 2: Calculating the Aggregate Score

The aggregate score is calculated by summing the four highest scaled study scores plus 10% of the scaled scores from the fifth and sixth subjects:

📌 Aggregate Score = (37.52 + 47.35 + 41.38 + 40.22) + (10% of 37.20 + 10% of 25.27)
📌 Aggregate Score = 166.47 + 3.72 + 2.52 = 172.71

Step 3: Determining the Final ATAR

The aggregate score (172.71) is then compared against the 2024 Scaled Aggregate to ATAR Table to determine the final ATAR.

📌 Based on 2024 scaling data, an aggregate of 172.7 would correspond to an approximate ATAR of between ~95.00-96.00.

New South Wales (HSC)

In New South Wales, the ATAR is calculated using an aggregate of scaled marks from your best 10 units of HSC courses, ensuring a fair and consistent comparison across all subject combinations. The process considers the following:

• Best 2 units of English (mandatory, even if they are your lowest scoring units).
• Best 8 units from remaining courses, which can include no more than 2 units of Category B courses (Note: from 2025, the distinction between Category A and Category B courses will no longer apply).

While you must complete at least four subject areas to be eligible for an ATAR, your aggregate may be based on fewer areas. For instance, a student studying English Advanced, English Extension 1 and 2, Mathematics Extension 1 and 2, and one other 2-unit course could still meet the requirements.

How Scaling Works in NSW

Scaling ensures that students are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged based on their course selections. This process allows for the fair comparison of marks across different subjects.

• Just as exchange rates convert different currencies into a comparable value, scaling adjusts raw HSC marks to a standardised scale.
• Courses with more academically competitive cohorts (e.g., Mathematics Extension 2 or Physics) tend to produce higher scaled scores.
• High HSC marks do not always guarantee high scaled marks; your scaled marks depend on your position in the course and the scaled mean for that course.

Example of Scaled Marks

Below is a hypothetical example of how HSC marks translate to scaled marks for a student achieving results in the 90th percentile for each course:

In this example:

• Even though the HSC mark for Ancient History is not the lowest, it is excluded from the ATAR calculation because it has the lowest scaled mark (apart from English, which is mandatory).
• Physics contributes more to the ATAR due to its high scaled mean and the student’s position in the subject.

Your final ATAR is based on these scaled marks, not your raw HSC marks, and scaled marks are not reported to students.

👉 More details here: How ATAR is Calculated in NSW

Queensland (QCE)

Queensland transitioned from the OP (Overall Position) system to the ATAR system in 2020. In Queensland, the ATAR is calculated based on an aggregate of scaled results from a student’s five best ATAR-eligible inputs. This ensures students are assessed fairly across diverse study pathways. Eligible combinations for ATAR calculation include:

• Five General subjects (Units 3 and 4), or
• Four General subjects (Units 3 and 4) plus one Applied subject (Units 3 and 4), or
• Four General subjects (Units 3 and 4) plus one completed VET qualification at Certificate III level or above.

Key steps in the ATAR calculation process:

1. Subject Results Submission: The QCAA (Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority) provides QTAC (Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre) with students’ subject results (Units 3 and 4 only) and completed VET qualifications.
2. Scaling: QTAC applies subject scaling to adjust for relative subject difficulty and competitiveness.
3. Best Five Aggregate: The best five scaled subject results are aggregated to create the student’s Best Five Subject Aggregate.
4. Ranking: Students are ranked in descending order of merit based on their Subject Aggregate.
5. ATAR Bands Distribution: QTAC determines the number of students to be placed in each of the 2000 ATAR bands, typically based on the Queensland Year 12 population. For example, if there are approximately 60,000 students, around 30 students are assigned to each ATAR band.
6. Band Assignment: Students are placed into ATAR bands. For instance, the top 30 students are assigned ATAR 99.95, the next 30 receive 99.90, and so forth.

👉 More details here: How ATAR Works in Queensland

South Australia & Northern Territory (SACE/NTCET)

In SACE/NTCET, your raw subject results are scaled to allow fair comparisons across all subject combinations. Scaling ensures that students are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by their subject choices when applying for tertiary courses. This process is managed by SATAC, and raw scores are converted into scaled scores used for calculating the ATAR.

How Scaling Works in SACE/NTCE

• Raw Scores: Derived from a combination of school-based assessments (70%) and publicly assessed components (30%), raw scores are calculated on a 0–15.0 scale.
• School-Based Assessments: Each A+ to E- grade is assigned a numeric equivalent (e.g., B = 11, C+ = 9). These are weighted by their contribution to the final subject grade and summed to form a raw score.
• Public Assessments: Numeric results from exams or investigations are converted into a score out of 4.5 using proportional scaling. For example:
  • A result of 118/200 in an exam contributes:
    118 × [4.5/200]=2.655

The final raw score is the sum of the school-based and publicly assessed contributions. For example:

• School-based contribution: 7.0/10.5
• Public assessment contribution: $2$
• Final raw score: 9.655/15

Why Scaling is Essential

Scaling adjusts raw scores to ensure fair comparisons between subjects with varying difficulty and competition levels. Without scaling, the effort and ability required for different subjects wouldn’t be accurately reflected in final results.

For example, raw scores in Specialist Mathematics can be compared to raw scores in Modern History through the scaling process, ensuring equitable ranking for tertiary admissions.

👉 More details here: SACE ATAR Scaling Guide

Western Australia (WACE)

In Western Australia, your ATAR is calculated using your Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA), which is derived from the scaled scores of your best four subjects, with bonuses applied for certain subjects.

How WACE ATAR is Calculated

Your TEA is determined by summing:

1. The best four scaled scores from eligible subjects.
2. 10% of your best Language Other Than English (LOTE) scaled score (if applicable).
3. 10% of your Mathematics Methods or Mathematics Specialist scaled scores (if applicable).

Additional rules include:

• Scaled scores can be accumulated over five consecutive years, but each subject can only contribute once.
• Unacceptable course combinations (e.g., similar subjects) are resolved by using the higher score.
• Bonuses (LOTE and Mathematics) are applied even if those courses are not in your best four.

The maximum TEA is 430, which is then converted to an ATAR. For example, a TEA of 402.5 equates to an ATAR of 99.95.

The following table illustrates how TEA corresponds to ATAR bands in 2024:

Why Scaling Matters

Scaling ensures fair comparisons between students by adjusting raw marks to account for subject difficulty and competition. For example:

• Students taking Mathematics Specialist or Languages Other Than English are rewarded for tackling more challenging subjects with scaling bonuses.
• These adjustments ensure that no student is unfairly advantaged or disadvantaged based on their subject choices.

👉 More details here: WACE ATAR Scaling Guide

Tasmania (TCE)

In Tasmania, your ATAR is calculated using your Tertiary Entrance (TE) score, which is derived from your best five eligible courses over two years of study. Only TASC-accredited Level 3 and Level 4 courses, along with selected University of Tasmania (UTAS) High Achiever and University Connections Program (UCP) courses, are included in the calculation.

How TCE ATAR is Calculated

To be eligible for an ATAR, students must first meet the requirements for the Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE), which includes:

1. A minimum of 120 TCE credit points, with at least 80 points at Level 2 or higher.
2. Courses taken across two years (e.g., Year 11 & 12 or Year 12 & 13).

The TE Score is calculated as follows:

1. The best three course scores from the final year of study (45 credit points).
2. The best two additional course scores from either the final year or one other year (30 credit points).
3. Course scores are then scaled to account for subject difficulty and competition.

This process ensures fair comparison across different subjects and aligns student rankings for university admissions.

👉 More details here: TCE Understanding the ATAR & Subject scaling cane be found here: 2024 TASC Course Scaling Table

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program uses a scoring system distinct from the ATAR, offering a maximum score of 45 points, unlike the percentile-based ranking of the ATAR.

How IB Scores are Calculated

IB students are graded on a scale of 1 to 7 for each of their six subjects, resulting in a total score of 42 points. An additional 3 points can be earned from the core components of the program:

1. Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
2. Extended Essay (EE)
3. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

This brings the maximum achievable IB score to 45 points. Unlike the ATAR, IB scores are not relative but are absolute, meaning theoretically, all students could achieve a perfect score of 45.

IB to ATAR Conversion in Australia

While IB students do not receive an ATAR directly, their IB scores are converted into a Notional ATAR for Australian university admissions. Each state’s tertiary admissions centre, such as VTAC in Victoria, UAC in New South Wales and QTAC in Queensland, performs this conversion using fine-grained IB Admissions Scores (IBAS).

Key components of the conversion process include:

1. IB Whole Number Score: The raw score out of 45 (e.g., 41/45, 42/45).
2. IB Admissions Score (IBAS): A detailed decimal score in 0.25 increments (e.g., 41.25, 41.50). This fine-grained scoring helps differentiate students within the same raw IB score band, offering a more accurate comparison.

The ATAR equivalency is then calculated based on the distribution of students within the IB cohort and mapped to an ATAR range.

IB to ATAR Base Conversion Table

The table below provides the base ATAR conversions for IB scores (note: before tertiary admission centres convert them into IBAS) for Australian students commencing tertiary study in 2025:

Example: How VTAC Converts IB Scores to Notional ATARs

VTAC uses IBAS to assign a Notional ATAR by comparing detailed IB results to the performance of other ATAR students in Victoria. The IBAS conversion accounts for both the distribution of IB results and the relative ranking of students.

How VTAC Uses IB Results

1. Receiving IB Data: IB supplies VTAC with subject results and overall diploma scores.
2. Calculating the IB Admissions Score (IBAS): VTAC refines IB scores with decimal places (e.g., 39.25 instead of 39).
3. Converting IBAS to Notional ATAR: VTAC maps IBAS to an ATAR-equivalent score for ranking against VCE students.

For example:

• A student with an IBAS of 41.25 might receive a Notional ATAR of 97.25.
• Another student with an IBAS of 39.50 could convert to an ATAR of 95.45.

Here’s an excerpt from the 2024/25 IBAS to ATAR Conversion Table:

Key Takeaways for IB Students

• Know Your IBAS: Your detailed IB Admissions Score helps determine your Notional ATAR and offers more accuracy than a whole number IB score.
• Plan Strategically: Excelling in core components (TOK, EE, CAS) and achieving high subject grades will maximise your IBAS.
• Understand Local Conversions: Each Australian state applies IBAS conversions slightly differently, so check your specific admissions centre for details.

By understanding the IB to ATAR conversion process and focusing on strong academic performance, IB students can confidently navigate their pathway to university.

👉 More details here: VTAC’s IB to ATAR guide

Why is the ATAR important?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. As we have already discussed, the ATAR is the primary admission tool used by universities to determine which students to offer a place in their university to and in what order. If your ambition is to attend university, particularly for a competitive course, achieving the minimum ATAR required is an important step.

However, the ATAR is not the only pathway into higher education. Many students gain entry into university through alternative pathways, including:

• Diploma-to-degree pathways: Many universities offer diplomas or associate degrees that allow students to transfer into a bachelor's degree after one year.
• Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications: TAFE and private providers offer Certificate IV, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma programs that can lead directly into a university degree, often with credit transfer.
• Bridging or foundation courses: Universities offer preparatory programs designed for students who did not meet the ATAR cut-off but demonstrate academic potential.
• Portfolio or special entry schemes: Some courses, particularly in creative industries, accept portfolios or personal statements in place of ATAR scores.
• Early entry programs: Many universities now offer early conditional offers based on Year 11 results, school recommendations, or extracurricular achievements.

The ATAR is just one of many pathways to university. If you didn’t achieve your desired ATAR, options such as bridging courses, TAFE-to-university articulation, and diploma programs can still help you reach your academic and career goals.

How to achieve the ATAR you need

Learnmate offers expert tutoring services and free study resources to help you achieve your best ATAR. Whether you need help in maths, science, English, any other subject or exam strategies, our tutors can provide personalised support.

👉 Start with expert tutoring today: Find a Tutor on Learnmate

We also provide a wealth of resources to help, including Articles & Guides, study templates and the guide How to Get the ATAR You Need.

Final Thoughts on ATARs

While the ATAR is important for university admissions, it does not define your future. Your primary ambition should be to do the best that you can, however many successful careers and professions start with alternative pathways, and universities are increasingly offering flexible entry options.

Stay focused, work hard, and remember—there’s always a way forward!

📢 Got questions about ATARs? Drop a comment or head to our blog for more state and subject-specific guides!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is the ATAR calculated?

The ATAR is a percentile ranking that compares students' overall academic achievements. It's calculated from an aggregate of scaled scores in eligible subjects, designed to rank students for university admission.

2. What is a scaled score, and how is it different from a raw score?

A raw score is your direct performance in a subject, while a scaled score adjusts for the subject's difficulty and competition to ensure fair comparisons. Scaling ensures no student is disadvantaged by their choice of subjects.

3. How does scaling affect subject selection?

High-scaling subjects (e.g., Specialist Mathematics, Languages) can boost your ATAR, but they require strong aptitude and interest. Choose subjects that align with your strengths and goals rather than focusing solely on scaling benefits.

4. What's the role of subject scaling in determining the ATAR?

Subject scaling adjusts scores to account for differences in subject difficulty and student cohort abilities, ensuring that students are fairly treated based on the difficulty of their subject choices. Scaling varies by state (e.g., VTAC for VCE, QTAC for QCE) and is designed to reflect the relative difficulty of subjects across different senior secondary systems. It is scaled subject scores that are used to determine a student's respective scores and ATAR.

5. How do universities use ATAR scores alongside other criteria?

Universities primarily use ATAR scores (sometimes in conjunction with other elements like interviews, portfolios, and personal statements) to construct a view of an applicant's capabilities and to determine admission to tertiary courses.