Selection ranks and adjustments

After results, you'll hear the term selection rank a lot. It's often more important for getting into a course than your ATAR on its own. This guide explains what a selection rank is, how adjustment factors work and how to find out which ones you might be eligible for.

This guide is general information written in our own words, based on the official sources listed at the end. ATAR rules, scaling, dates and course requirements differ between states and change from year to year, so always check with your admissions centre, institution and school. We don't predict ATARs, publish cut-offs or recommend particular schools, tutors or courses.

ATAR versus selection rank

UAC explains that admission to most tertiary courses is based on your selection rank: your ATAR plus any applicable adjustments. QTAC describes the ATAR as an achievement measure, which is then converted into a selection rank that may or may not include adjustments. Your selection rank can differ from course to course and from institution to institution, because each institution sets its own adjustment rules.

What adjustment factors are

QTAC explains that adjustment factors, previously referred to as "bonus points", are additional points that may be added to your ATAR (or other rank) to create an adjusted selection rank for a particular course at a particular institution. They don't change your ATAR.

Common types

QTAC lists common types of adjustment factors, including:

• Equity adjustments, for applicants who have experienced difficult circumstances or disadvantage;
• Subject adjustments, for example for current Year 12 students who studied a language other than English, Specialist Mathematics or university enrichment courses;
• Location adjustments, for applicants who have lived in certain areas;
• Elite athlete adjustments, for elite athletes.

Other states and institutions have similar schemes, sometimes with different names. In Victoria, for example, VTAC explains that subject adjustment points are applied to the aggregate, not the ATAR, and offers a tool to estimate a course selection rank.

Limits

QTAC says all institutions limit the maximum adjustments that will apply to your selection rank, and gives the example that some may cap the increase at 5 points. Adjustments may not apply to all courses or all applicants. Always check the specific course and institution.

Educational access and equity schemes

Most admissions centres run schemes for students whose studies have been affected by circumstances such as financial hardship, illness or disability, family responsibilities, or attending a school in a disadvantaged area. QTAC, for example, refers to its Educational Access Scheme for students whose study has been negatively affected. These schemes usually require an application with supporting documents, and some have deadlines. Your school careers adviser can help.

How to find your adjustments

1. Look up each course on the admissions centre's course search and the institution's website.
2. Check which adjustment schemes the institution offers and whether they apply to that course.
3. Check eligibility rules, how to apply and deadlines.
4. Apply for any access or equity schemes through the admissions centre or institution.

Some adjustments are applied automatically based on your subjects or postcode; others require an application.

Working out a selection rank

Our study planner includes a simple selection rank adder: enter your ATAR and the adjustment points you're eligible for, and it adds them. It's arithmetic only. Institutions apply their own rules and caps, so treat the result as a rough guide and check with the institution.

Selection ranks and course data

Courses publish data about past selection ranks, such as the lowest selection rank. Compare these with your own selection rank, not just your ATAR. See our course entry data guide.

Not just ranks

UAC notes that many universities also use other criteria, such as personal statements, portfolios, auditions, interviews or tests. Prerequisites still apply: QTAC says applicants who haven't met prerequisites won't be considered, regardless of rank.

Timing

Some schemes have closing dates before results are released. Check them early in Year 12 so you don't miss out. See our preferences and offers guide.

Questions to ask

• Which adjustment schemes does this institution offer, and do they apply to my course?
• Are adjustments automatic, or do I need to apply?
• What documents do I need, and what are the deadlines?
• What is the maximum adjustment for this course?

Admissions centres and university admissions offices answer these questions every year; don't hesitate to contact them.

A worked example

Suppose a student receives an ATAR of 78.00. One university's scheme adds 2 points for a language studied in Year 12 and 3 points for living in a particular region, with a maximum of 5 points. For that course, their selection rank would be 83.00. At another institution with different rules, their selection rank for a similar course might be 78.00 or 80.00. This is why it's essential to check each institution's schemes rather than assume. (This is an illustrative example only; it doesn't describe any real scheme.)

Documents and evidence

Equity schemes usually need supporting evidence, such as statements from schools, health professionals or Centrelink. Gather documents early, keep copies and check that they meet the scheme's requirements before the deadline.

Try the study planner

Our free study planner shows how many weeks you have until your first exam, splits your weekly revision hours between your subjects and suggests what to focus on in each phase. It also includes a simple selection rank adder for after results. It runs entirely in your browser, nothing you enter is sent anywhere, and it doesn't try to predict your ATAR.

Where our information comes from

Factual statements in our guides are based on official and expert sources, including the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC), the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC), the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC), healthdirect, the Australian Government's movement guidelines and ReachOut. We link to each source at the end of the page and rewrite everything in our own words.

Rules change every year

ATAR rules, scaling, adjustment schemes, key dates and course requirements are reviewed regularly and can change from one year to the next. A rule that applied to an older sibling or a friend in another state may not apply to you. Treat our guides as a starting point, and confirm anything important with your admissions centre, your school and the institutions you're applying to.

Talk to your careers adviser

Your school's careers adviser is one of the most useful people you can talk to in Year 11 and 12. They know your state's system, current key dates, early offer schemes, access schemes and pathways, and can help you plan subjects and preferences. Book a time early, bring your questions and follow up after results.

For parents and carers

Parents and carers can help most by staying calm, keeping perspective and offering practical support: quiet study space, regular meals, encouragement to sleep and move, and help keeping track of key dates. Learning the basics of how the ATAR and selection ranks work makes it easier to support decisions without adding pressure.

Tell us what you think

We review our guides regularly against their sources. If you notice something out of date, have a question we haven't answered or spot an error, please let us know through our contact page. We read every message and correct mistakes promptly.

A quick checklist

If you remember only a few things from our guides, make them these: the ATAR is a rank, not a mark; choose subjects you enjoy and need for prerequisites; study actively and spread your revision; protect your sleep; check adjustment schemes and key dates; order preferences by what you really want; and remember there's more than one pathway to where you want to go.

Key points

• Most courses select on a selection rank: your ATAR plus any adjustments.
• Adjustment factors don't change your ATAR.
• Common types include equity, subject, location and elite athlete adjustments.
• Institutions set their own rules and caps, so check each course.