The 2025 QCE and ATAR results represent an important milestone for 57,909 students across Queensland, highlighting both strong academic outcomes and a wide range of post-school pathways.
Each year, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) and the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) release results data that provides insight into student achievement across QCE completion, ATAR performance, vocational education, and alternative learning options.
In 2025, tens of thousands of students across the state received their certificates and rankings. These results reflect the sustained effort of students, supported by teachers, school leaders, families, and broader school communities.
Queensland’s senior secondary system continues to support students pursuing university study through the ATAR, while also recognising vocational education, early tertiary engagement, and flexible learning pathways. This approach ensures the QCE remains a practical and inclusive qualification that caters to a wide range of student goals.
Key Highlights of the 2025 QCE and ATAR Results
- 57,909 students completed Year 12 in Queensland in 2025.
- 93.4% of graduates achieved the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), demonstrating a high level of overall completion across the cohort.
- 1,192 students were awarded a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA), recognising students following alternative education pathways.
- 30,167 students received an ATAR, accounting for around half of the graduating cohort.
- 37 students achieved the highest possible ATAR of 99.95, reflecting exceptional academic performance statewide.
- More than 24% of ATAR-eligible students achieved a rank of 90 or above, placing them among the top-performing students nationally.
- Over 40,760 students completed a VET qualification at Certificate I to Diploma level while still at school, highlighting the continued strength of vocational education pathways.
- 1,683 students completed one or more university-level subjects during secondary school, showing early engagement with tertiary study.
- 1,744 students received a Certificate of Academic Commendation for achieving A grades in at least six General subjects.
- 743 students earned Subject Achievement Commendations, awarded for the highest results achieved in individual subjects across Queensland.
Where did the 99.95 ATAR scorers come from?
Based on the data released so far, students achieving the highest possible ATAR of 99.95 came from a range of schools across Queensland.
- 8 students: Brisbane Grammar School (Highest in the state)
- 4 students: Brisbane Girls Grammar School
- 3 students: Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), Somerset College
- 2 students: St Peters Lutheran College, Townsville Grammar School
- 1 student: John Paul College, A.B. Paterson College, St Hilda’s School, Sunshine Coast Grammar School
What is the ATAR?
The ATAR stands for "Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank", being the percentile rank that is issued to eligible Year 12 students when they complete their senior studies. The ATAR is how universities assess, rank and prioritise students so they know who to offer course admission to and in what order.
As a comparative ranking, the ATAR can be anywhere from 0.00 to 99.95 and reflects the percentage of the cohort that a student performed better than. For example, if a student receives a 70.00 ATAR, it means they performed better than approximately 70% of their cohort.
The highest ATAR that a student can receive is 99.95, meaning they performed better than 99.95% of their cohort. For that reason, a student cannot receive an ATAR of 100.
Aiming for a top ATAR score in 2026? Connect with a past high achiever.
Breakdown of the Top-Performing VCE Schools in 2025
Based on publicly available data at the time of publishing, we have put together a list of some of the top performing QCE schools in Queensland in 2025.
Note on Data: This list is evolving as more schools release their results. If you believe any data appears incorrect or you have official school data to share, please contact us at hello@learnmate.com.au.
Top Schools by Median ATAR
The Median ATAR provides a snapshot of how the "middle" student at a school performed. A high median indicates a strong overall cohort where the majority of students are achieving excellent results.
| School | Median ATAR | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Girls Grammar School | 96.45 | Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD |
| Whitsunday Anglican School | 96.00 | Beaconsfield, Mackay Region, QLD |
| Brisbane Grammar School | 95.00 | Spring Hill, Brisbane, QLD |
| St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School | 94.95 | Corinda, Brisbane, QLD |
| Somerset College | 94.15 | Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, QLD |
| All Hallows' School | 93.40 | Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD |
| Matthew Flinders Anglican College | 92.28 | Buderim, Sunshine Coast, QLD |
| Townsville Grammar School | 91.00 | North Ward, Townsville, QLD |
| John Paul College | 91.00 | Daisy Hill, Logan, QLD |
| Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) | 90.85 | East Brisbane, Brisbane, QLD |
| St Peters Lutheran College | 90.50 | Indooroopilly, Brisbane, QLD |
| St Andrew’s Anglican College | 90.40 | Peregian Springs, Sunshine Coast, QLD |
| St Joseph's Nudgee College | 88.60 | Boondall, Brisbane, QLD |
| The Gap State High School | 86.80 | The Gap, Brisbane, QLD |
Schools with the Highest Percentage of ATARs Above 99
Achieving an ATAR of 99 or higher places students in the top 1% of the state. This tier is often the gateway to competitive courses like Medicine and Dentistry.
| School | ATAR 99 (%) | Median ATAR |
|---|---|---|
| Whitsunday Anglican School | 28.00% | 96.00 |
| Brisbane Girls Grammar School | 20.17% | 96.45 |
| Brisbane Grammar School | 17.00% | 95.00 |
| Somerset College | 14.00% | 94.15 |
| Matthew Flinders Anglican College | 15.09% | 92.28 |
| Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) | 13.00% | 90.85 |
| John Paul College | 12.00% | 91.00 |
| Townsville Grammar School | 11.00% | 91.00 |
| St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School | 10.00% | 94.95 |
| St Andrew’s Anglican College | 9.00% | 90.40 |
| All Hallows' School | 8.00% | 93.40 |
| St Peters Lutheran College | 7.00% | 90.50 |
Schools with the Highest Percentage of ATARs Above 95
Achieving an ATAR above 95 places students in the top 5% of the state. A high percentage here indicates a school has a deep bench of high achievers rather than just a few students who achieve at the top.
| School | ATAR 95 (%) | Median ATAR |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane Girls Grammar School | 60.94% | 96.45 |
| Whitsunday Anglican School | 55.00% | 96.00 |
| Brisbane Grammar School | 50.00% | 95.00 |
| St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School | 50.00% | 94.95 |
| Somerset College | 46.00% | 94.15 |
| All Hallows' School | 39.00% | 93.40 |
| Matthew Flinders Anglican College | 33.96% | 92.28 |
| Townsville Grammar School | 32.00% | 91.00 |
| John Paul College | 32.00% | 91.00 |
| St Peters Lutheran College | 30.00% | 90.50 |
| St Joseph's Nudgee College | 25.60% | 88.60 |
| The Gap State High School | 13.95% | 86.80 |
Standout School Performances in 2025
Combining the data for median ATARs, perfect scores, and the depth of student achievement reveals several clear leaders in the 2025 QCE cohort.
- Depth of Cohort: Schools like St Aidan's and Somerset College demonstrated incredible depth. Both schools saw roughly 50% of their students achieve an ATAR above 95, indicating a rigorous academic culture that lifts the performance of the entire cohort, not just the top few students.
- Brisbane Girls Grammar School (BGGS): BGGS has cemented its reputation as a premier academic institution, achieving the highest Median ATAR in the state (96.45). Their consistency is unmatched, with an extraordinary 60.94% of their cohort achieving an ATAR above 95, meaning the majority of their students placed in the top 5% of the state.
- Brisbane Grammar School (BGS): BGS continues to dominate the very top end of the spectrum, producing the highest number of perfect scorers in Queensland (8 students with 99.95). With half of their cohort achieving an ATAR of 95 or above, they remain a powerhouse for elite academic outcomes.
- The Regional Success Story: The standout narrative of 2025 is the exceptional performance of regional schools, particularly Whitsunday Anglican School (Mackay). Ranking #2 in the state for Median ATAR (96.00) and achieving the highest reported percentage of students above 99.00 (28%), they significantly outperformed many metropolitan giants. Similarly, Townsville Grammar and Matthew Flinders (Sunshine Coast) posted strong results, proving that elite education is not confined to Brisbane.
How to Calculate ATAR in QLD
In Queensland, the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is calculated by the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) based on students’ QCE results. The main steps are:
- Scaling Subjects: Each QCE subject is scaled to account for differences in difficulty and cohort performance. (Note: English is mandatory for ATAR eligibility but not necessarily for the calculation itself unless it is one of your best 5).
- Selecting Best Five Subjects: QTAC selects the student’s best five scaled subject results. This can include:
- 5 General subjects; or
- 4 General subjects + 1 Applied subject; or
- 4 General subjects + 1 VET qualification (Certificate III or higher).
- Combining Scores: The scaled scores of these subjects are combined to form a scaled aggregate.
- Ranking Students: Students are ranked relative to their peers to determine their percentile, which becomes their ATAR.
Advice for Future QCE Students (2026 and Beyond)
The 2025 results offer a clear roadmap for future Year 12s. Here is how to use this data to your advantage:
- Small improvements compound: A move from a 'B' to an 'A' in just one assessment can significantly impact your scaled score. Act on teacher feedback immediately.
- Don't neglect internal assessments (IA): In the QCE system, your internal marks (IA1, IA2, IA3) often make up 50% or more of your final grade. Banking strong marks early in the year reduces pressure during the external exam block.
- VET can be a strategic play: With over 40,000 students completing VET qualifications, remember that a Certificate III or higher can contribute to your ATAR calculation. For some students, this is a smarter route to a high rank than struggling through a 5th General subject they dislike.
- Regional students can compete with the best: As Whitsunday Anglican and Townsville Grammar proved, you do not need to be in Brisbane to score a 99.95. Focus on your own rank within your school cohort.
FAQs
QCE results and ATARs were released to students online in December 2025 via the QCAA and QTAC portals.
37 students achieved the highest possible ATAR of 99.95 in Queensland this year.
Based on available data, Brisbane Girls Grammar School achieved the highest reported Median ATAR of 96.45, indicating exceptional consistency across its cohort. In terms of top-end achievement, Brisbane Grammar School led the state with the highest number of perfect 99.95 scorers (8 students). Regionally, Whitsunday Anglican School (Mackay) was a standout performer with a Median ATAR of 96.00.
A "good" ATAR is entirely relative to your university goals. However, statistically, an ATAR of 90.00+ places you in the top 10% of the state's total age population. Interestingly, because only about half of Queensland students choose to be ATAR-eligible, a significant portion of that eligible group performs well—in 2025, roughly 24% of ATAR recipients achieved a score of 90 or above.
If you missed the entry rank for your preferred course, remember that pathways (like bridging courses or upgrading via another degree) are often available.
Yes. In Queensland, completed VET qualifications (Certificate III and above) can be used as one of your five inputs for the ATAR calculation, provided you also have four General subjects. This is a popular pathway for many high-achieving students to maximise their rank.
QTAC releases offers in multiple rounds. The major offer round for Year 12 students typically occurs in mid-January 2026. Check the QTAC website for specific key dates and offer round deadlines.
Achieve Your ATAR Goals with Learnmate
With strong results across the top schools and impressive individual achievements, the Class of 2025 has set a high benchmark for future cohorts. As families, educators and students look ahead to the coming years, these insights will be valuable in guiding preparation and academic planning.
If you’re looking to maximise your performance in 2026, Learnmate offers expert QCE tutoring services to help you succeed. Start your QCE journey today!
