ATAR by state

The ATAR uses the same 0.00 to 99.95 scale across Australia, but each state and territory calculates it in its own way, using its own senior certificate and rules. If you're moving interstate, applying interstate or just curious, this guide summarises each system in plain language, based on the admissions centres' own explanations.

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.

National equivalence

ATARs are designed to be comparable. UAC states that an ATAR of 85.00 in NSW or the ACT is equivalent to an ATAR of 85.00 in other states, and SATAC gives a similar example for South Australia. Each state calculates ATARs to reflect a student's rank against other students in that state, while keeping the national scale consistent.

NSW (UAC)

In NSW, UAC calculates and releases the ATAR using HSC results. UAC explains that the ATAR is based on an aggregate of scaled marks in 10 units of HSC courses: the best 2 units of English and the best 8 units from the remaining courses. HSC marks are scaled before being used, so that students who studied different combinations can be compared fairly. HSC marks themselves are provided by NESA, the NSW curriculum authority.

The ACT

UAC explains that in the ACT, ATARs are calculated by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies in consultation with UAC, and released by schools. ACT ATARs are equivalent to those elsewhere.

Victoria (VTAC)

VTAC calculates the ATAR using VCE results issued by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). VTAC says the aggregate adds your scaled study score in one of English, English Language, Literature or English as an Additional Language; your next best three permissible scaled study scores; and 10% of your fifth and sixth permissible scores. Only students with at least four VCE study scores in an acceptable combination have an ATAR calculated. VTAC also notes that, in exceptional cases, aggregates can exceed 210.

Queensland (QTAC)

From 2020, the ATAR replaced the Overall Position (OP) as the standard pathway to tertiary study for Queensland Year 12 students, and it's calculated by QTAC. To be eligible, QTAC says you must complete five General subjects, or four General subjects plus one Applied subject or a VET qualification at Certificate III or higher, and satisfactorily complete an English subject with a grade of C or better. Your ATAR is calculated from your best five scaled eligible inputs, so English counts only if it's among them.

South Australia and the Northern Territory (SATAC)

SATAC calculates ATARs for students completing the SACE (South Australia) and NTCET (Northern Territory). It first calculates a university aggregate from the scaled scores of your best 90 credits of study, made up of your best three 20-credit Tertiary Admissions Subjects plus a flexible option. SATAC then ranks students, and adjusts for the participation rate using Australian Bureau of Statistics population data, to produce the ATAR.

Western Australia (TISC)

In WA, TISC calculates the ATAR from your Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA). TISC says you need at least four scaled scores for an ATAR. The TEA is your best four scaled scores, plus 10% of your best scaled score in a language other than English (if you have one), plus 10% of your scaled scores in Mathematics Methods and Mathematics Specialist (if you have them). The maximum TEA is 430. You can accumulate scaled scores over five consecutive years.

Tasmania

Tasmania also issues ATARs to eligible students. Check with your school or the Tasmanian education authorities for the current rules.

The International Baccalaureate

IB students don't receive an ATAR directly. Admissions centres convert IB results into an ATAR-equivalent rank. SATAC describes converting IB results into a "combined rank" that's the same across Australia, and VTAC calculates a notional ATAR for some IB students.

Applying interstate

You can apply to universities in other states. Your home state's ATAR is used, and admissions centres share results with each other. For example, QTAC asks Queensland students applying interstate to register in its ATAR Portal so it can share their ATAR with interstate admissions centres. Check the admissions centre in the state where you're applying for its application process and dates; see our preferences and offers guide.

Why the details matter

Knowing your state's rules helps you understand which results count. In Victoria, for example, your fifth and sixth subjects add only 10% each; in WA, studying a language or the higher maths courses adds a bonus to the aggregate; and in Queensland, English must be passed even if it doesn't count. But the rules can change, so always rely on your admissions centre's current information.

Official sources

Each centre's website has detailed explanations, technical documents and FAQs. They're the authoritative source, and we link to them at the end of this page. See also our scaling guide.

Moving states during senior school

If you move interstate during Year 11 or 12, talk to your new school and the curriculum authority as early as possible. Senior certificates differ, and rules about transferring credit and completing requirements vary. Admissions centres can also explain how your results will be used for an ATAR.

Overseas and other qualifications

Applicants with overseas qualifications or other Australian qualifications usually have their results assessed by the admissions centre and converted to a rank for selection. Admissions centres publish information on the documents required and how different qualifications are assessed.

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.

Key points

• ATARs use one national scale but each state calculates them differently.
• NSW counts 10 units; Victoria counts an English subject plus three, with 10% of two more.
• Queensland uses the best five eligible inputs; WA uses the TEA with 10% bonuses.
• Always check current rules with your state's admissions centre.