ATAR year 12
Understanding how the ATAR works is essential for those planning their tertiary education and future career paths. Are you prepared for the next step? Here’s a guide to help you navigate your ATAR and application process.
ATAR year 12
ATAR and Year 12
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, commonly known as the ATAR, is a crucial component in your tertiary education journey. It serves as a ranking system that reflects a student’s overall academic performance in their final years of secondary education, providing a standardised measure for university admissions. Understanding the ATAR is essential for students, parents, and educators, as it plays a significant role in determining the pathways available for further study and career opportunities.
Are you ATAR ready? Here is what you need to know when planning your tertiary education application.
What is the ATAR
Across Australia, the ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) serves as the primary mechanism for tertiary admissions. QTAC, with 40+ years of experience, calculates and issues the ATAR for eligible Queensland Year 12 students and manages applications for Queensland and some interstate institutions.
The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is a percentile rank rather than a mark, indicating a student’s position relative to their peers within the same age group for a given year.
It provides a standard measure of a student’s overall academic achievement in comparison to other students who may have studied different subject combinations. The ATAR helps tertiary institutions select applicants for their courses by indicating each student’s position relative to their peers.
From 2020, Queensland Year 12 students will be certified for tertiary entrance with the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Students completing Year 12 and their QCE from 2020 onwards can access their ATAR by creating an account in the ATAR Portal.
From 2020, the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) replaced the Overall Position (OP) as the standard pathway to tertiary study for Queensland Year 12 students.
In 2020, the first cohort of Queensland Year 12 students graduated under the new QCAA QCE system and were issued their Queensland ATAR, which is calculated by QTAC. This system continues to be used for subsequent graduates.
Until 2019, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) calculated ATARs for Queensland OP-eligible students to ensure Queensland students were considered for courses offered interstate (see OP to ATAR).
It is expressed on a 2000-point scale, ranging from 99.95 at the highest to 0.00, with increments of 0.05. ATAR scores are reported in descending order, starting from 99.95 and decreasing by 0.05 down to 0.00. Scores below 30 are reported as “30.00 or less.”
An ATAR of 80.00 does not mean a student got 80%. It indicates that the student placed in the top 20% of students in Queensland in their Year 12 age group.
Read more - about ATAR essentials
Your QCE and your ATAR
Your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) and your ATAR are different and have different purposes.
QCE
Certifies learning, showing the individual has achieved a specific standard of education at senior schooling level and may be considered for further study and employment.
Shows a set of results across QCE subjects. Your results in a subject show your performance in the subject against every student who took the subject.
Is awarded and released by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA).
ATAR
Tells us about a student’s position (or ranking) compared to all other students in the state. The only intended purpose for the ATAR is to assist with selecting applicants for tertiary study.
Your ATAR measures your position (or ranking) against the whole Queensland Year 12 age cohort, where a variety of combinations of subjects have been studied. Is based on scaled results.
Is calculated and released by QTAC.
ATAR Essentials
To be eligible for an ATAR, a student must:
- Complete five General subjects (Units 3 and 4); or
- complete four General subjects (Units 3 and 4) plus one Applied subject (at Units 3 and 4) or a VET course at AQF Certificate III level or higher;
- and accumulate results within a five-year period.
Students must also satisfactorily complete (i.e. achieve a minimum grade of C or higher) an English subject (one of English, English as an Additional Language, English and Literature Extension, Literature, or Essential English).
While students must satisfactorily complete an English subject to be eligible for an ATAR, the result in English will only be included in the ATAR calculation if it is one of the student’s best five scaled results. For more information about scaling and the ATAR, refer to QTAC’s website.
There can be many reasons why a student’s ATAR result might be recorded as ‘ATAR ineligible’. If you are concerned, try the following checks:
1. Check your results in your QCAA Learning account:
Make sure all your QCE results and any VET qualifications are recorded correctly. Your QCAA results are used by QTAC to calculate your ATAR.
2. Did you meet the ATAR English eligibility requirement?
You need a minimum of a C grade for an English subject, any one of: English, English as an Additional Language, English and Literature Extension, Literature, or Essential English.
3. Have you completed one of the following eligible combinations of subjects?
- Five General Subjects (at Units 3 and 4), or
- Four General Subjects (at Units 3 and 4), plus one Applied subject
- Four General Subjects (at Units 3 and 4), plus one completed VET qualification at Certificate lll level or above.
4. See ATAR eligibility requirements.
If you are ‘ATAR ineligible’ this means you have not yet qualified for an ATAR.
You can continue to study and accumulate QCE subjects and VET qualifications until you have enough to be eligible for your first ATAR to be calculated in a later year.
If you have already qualified for a Queensland ATAR and want to improve your ATAR, you will need to meet the eligibility requirements for getting a NEW ATAR.
These requirements are:
- Complete the minimum number of additional new subjects to qualify for a new ATAR.
- The minimum number is 3 General subjects or 2 General + 1 VET or 1 Applied.
- Make sure your additional subjects help you meet the ATAR eligibility requirement
For more information download the Factsheet ‘Qualifying for a new ATAR.’
Call the QTAC ATAR hotline 1300 193 173 for further assistance.
When you register, you will be asked to give consent to share your final ATAR, or ATAR eligibility, with your school. This consent is optional, although during Year 12 this information can be useful to enable the school to support its students.
You can change the consent to share your ATAR by logging in to the ATAR Portal and changing the consent selection.
Schools will only get access to the individual ATARs of their former Year 12 students where consent has been granted by those students when registering in the ATAR Portal.
No, it is the responsibility of the student to register by creating their own QTAC ATAR account in the ATAR Portal. Schools can assist students through the process by making sure students have the correct login details and making them aware they should use a personal email, and not their school email address.
Schools will only get access to the individual ATARs of their former Year 12 students where consent has been granted by those students when registering in the ATAR Portal.
Your QCE results are issued by the QCAA (not QTAC). Your QCE Statement (results) and certificate are issued electronically via your QCAA learning account. Log in to your Learning Account via the QCAA Student Portal in MyQCE to access your results.
If you already have an ATAR account from 2022 you do not need to register again.
If you finished Year 12 in 2022 and are completing more Year 12 subjects in 2023 (to qualify for a new ATAR), you can log into your existing account to access your ATAR result when ATARs are released in December 2023.
If you are in Year 12 and created an account in Year 11 or early in Year 12, the details in your ATAR account will only match the QCAA details after ATAR registrations open for Year 12s in August each year i.e. after QTAC updates the ATAR Portal with the most recent QCAA data.
ATAR FAQs
Find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
Troubleshooting
Access to the atar portal
Sorry your account has not been confirmed
Possible reason: The correct Registration code has not been entered.
Click on the link to return to login page. Check your email for the Registration code and enter the code. Complete registration details.
No Registration Code received by email
Possible reason: Incorrect email address entered.
Return to the Sign-Up page and re-enter your email address and password to generate a new code.
Forgot my password
You can reset your password by using the “Forgot Password” function on the login page of the ATAR Portal.
You will need your current ATAR Portal login email address to verify the new password.
Call the QTAC ATAR hotline 1300 193 173 who can assist you in resetting your password.
Forgotten or incorrect email address
Do not create a second account if you make a mistake entering your email address or cannot access your account.
How do I change my school email address in the ATAR Portal?
If you can remember your Portal password, you can still log in to your ATAR account using your school email address, or whatever email you used to sign up.
Use the Edit Student Details function to change your school email address to a personal email. A confirmation code will be sent to your nominated email address.
If you can no longer access the email address (e.g. school email) linked to the account you will not be able to reset your password in the portal yourself.
Call the QTAC ATAR hotline 1300 193 173 for assistance with your email address.
You will need to provide some personal identification over the phone: your name, date of birth, LUI number and email address.
Changing your personal details
If you can log in to your ATAR account, use the Edit Student Details function to change your personal details, including updating your email address.
Call the QTAC ATAR hotline 1300 193 173 for further assistance.
I have entered my details in the ATAR portal but it is showing as "no match found"
Your name entered in the ATAR Portal may not match with your QCAA Data.
Some common errors made when entering names in the ATAR Portal include:
- Simple spelling mistakes.
- Entry of nicknames instead of the full QCAA enrolment name.
- Use of anglicised international names instead of the original QCAA enrolment name.
- Family name changes since first enrolled at school.
The name registered as your First Name in the ATAR Portal should be the same as shown under your QCAA Given Names. If more than one Given Name is displayed, include all of them as your ATAR Portal name. E.g If your QCAA Given Names appears as “Abbie Louise” SMITH, then record your ATAR First Name as “Abbie Louise”. Even if your real first name is just Abbie, and Louise is usually listed as your middle name/other name.
Use the Edit Your Details function to update your details in the ATAR Portal. This function will only appear if the QCAA data and the ATAR Portal details do not match and need to be changed
Contact the ATAR hotline for assistance 1300 193 173.
Having problems with your LUI in the ATAR portal?
If you’ve filled in your ATAR account personal details and received the error message that there is already an account with that LUI, check your LUI is correct.
If you already have an ATAR account then your LUI will be in the QTAC system already and you cannot create a second account with the same LUI.
What do I do if I have two LUIs?
Contact the QCAA who should be able to confirm which LUI is the correct one to use.
What do I do if I my LUI changes after I have created an ATAR account?
If you get a new LUI from QCAA, or had dual LUIs when you have already created an ATAR account, you will need to contact us at QTAC to request the deletion of the ATAR account attached to the old LUI. Then you need to create a new ATAR account with your new LUI. All your QCAA details and subject results will be matched to that LUI.
Note, you cannot use the same email address for two different ATAR accounts and you will need to have the old ATAR account deleted.
Contact the ATAR hotline on 1300 193 173, or atar@qtac.edu.au if you need further assistance with account access or checking LUI’s and other personal details.
Breaking down the ATAR
breaking it down
Your ATAR is calculated based on an aggregate of scaled results from your five best ATAR eligible inputs
from three different schemes:
- Five General subjects (at Units 3 and 4); or
- Four General subjects (at Units 3 and 4) plus an Applied subject (at Units 3 and 4); or
- Four General subjects (at Units 3 and 4) plus one completed VET qualification at Certificate III level or
above.
The key steps in the ATAR calculation process are:
Step 1: QCAA provides QTAC with student’s subject results (Units 3 and 4 only) and completed VET qualifications.
Step 2: The subject scaling process is undertaken.
Step 3: The best five scaled subject results (from eligible inputs) are added together to create a best five Subject Aggregate.
Step 4: Students are placed in a descending order of merit based on their Best five Subject Aggregates.
Step 5: Determine how many students are to be in each of the 2000 ATAR bands (based on the Queensland Year 12 population). For example, if the Queensland Year 12 population is approximately 60,000 students then approximately 30 students will be placed in each ATAR band.
Step 6: Assign students to each ATAR band. The top 30 students are assigned ATAR 99.95, the next 30 students are assigned 99.90, and so on.
The following rules apply regarding precluded subjects and subject combinations in the ATAR calculation:
- Only General English subjects or Applied English subjects can be included in the ATAR, but not both. For example, it is not possible to include both English (a General subject) and Essential English (an Applied subject) in a student’s ATAR.
- Only General Mathematics subjects or Applied Mathematics subjects can be included in the ATAR, but not both. For example, it is not possible to include both Mathematical Methods (a General subject) and Essential Mathematics (an Applied subject) in a student’s ATAR.
- Only one result for the same subject taken as a General subject and via Senior External Examination can be included in the ATAR. For example, it is not possible to include both the General subject Chinese and the Senior External Examination subject Chinese in a student’s ATAR. Similarly, it is not possible to include both the General subject Biology and the Senior External Examination subject Biology in a student’s ATAR
There are no other restrictions on the inclusion of subjects in the ATAR, for example a student may
count the following General subject results in their ATAR:
- both English and Literature
- both Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics
- both Chinese and Chinese Extension
Remember! Some university courses have subject prerequisites that you must satisfy before you can be considered for tertiary entry so if you have a desired course(s) in mind, consider this when selecting your subjects.
What is scaling?
Students can study thousands of different combinations of subjects in their senior schooling and qualify for an ATAR. Scaling adjusts for the fact that it is more difficult to obtain a high result in some subjects than in others. This is not because some subjects are inherently harder or easier, it is because some subjects attract a more competitive cohort of students. Scaling ensures that students are neither advantaged nor disadvantaged based on the subjects they choose. Each state in Australia uses a scaling process in the calculation of the ATAR. In Queensland, subject results are scaled by QTAC.
There is some complex mathematics that underpins the scaling process, but as a simplified explanation, scaling is the process by which ‘raw’ subject results are adjusted to allow the results for each subject to be fairly compared with the results from any other subject for the purpose of calculating ATARs. The scaling process will adjust the raw results in each subject to take account of how well students achieve in their subjects and how difficult it is to achieve a particular result in the subject relative to achievements in all other subjects.
Refer to the QTAC website for more information about scaling.
The ATAR and tertiary selection
Most tertiary courses administered by QTAC attract more applicants than there are places available. This requires applicants to be placed in a merit order (i.e. ‘ranked’) to allow selection to take place.
The first step when selecting applicants is to check whether the applicants have met the prerequisites for the courses for which they have applied (for example some Bachelor of Physiotherapy courses will have a science subject prerequisite). If you have not successfully completed these prerequisite subjects you will not be considered for entry to the course, regardless of your ATAR
The second step is to rank all applicants who satisfy the prerequisites for that course. For most courses, current school-leavers are ranked using the ATAR.
Some courses may have additional selection criteria, such as portfolio, interview, audition, questionnaire or test.
Prerequisites and additional selection criteria will be listed in the course description in the QTAC Guide and on the QTAC website.
ATAR will be the standard pathway used to determine entry for most tertiary courses (in addition to other entry requirements such as subject prerequisites).
ATAR will not be the only pathway to tertiary study for all courses however. Other pathways include:
- VET qualifications as a stand-alone basis of admission: Individual institution policies will apply as to whether VET qualifications such as AQF Certificates III and IV, Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas can be used to gain admission to a course. Refer to the institution website or QTAC website for more information.
- Courses where ATAR is not a selection factor: Most TAFE VET courses, and some university tertiary preparation courses and other courses may not require an ATAR for entry. Refer to the relevant institution website or the QTAC website for more information about course entry requirements.
- Bridging and preparation courses: Completion of approved bridging, pathway or preparation courses can lead to entry to your preferred tertiary course. Refer to institution websites or the QTAC website for more information.
- Other admissions pathways: Refer to institution websites for additional information on other admissions pathways.
Adjustment factors (previously referred to as ‘bonus points’) are additional points that may be added to an applicant’s ATAR (or other rank) to derive an adjusted selection rank for a particular course at a particular institution. They do not change the ATAR.
Each institution has its own criteria for when adjustment factors can apply. They may not be applicable for all courses or all applicants. All institutions limit the maximum adjustments that will apply to your selection rank (for example some may cap the increase to your selection rank to 5 points). Common types of adjustment factors include:
- Equity adjustment: if an applicant has experienced difficult circumstances or disadvantage
- Subject adjustment: if a current Year 12 applicant has undertaken a secondary subject in a Language
Other than English (LOTE) or Specialist Mathematics, or university enrichment courses - Location adjustment: if an applicant has resided in certain areas
- Elite athlete adjustment: if an applicant is an elite athlete
Satisfying subject prerequisites
For entry to most tertiary courses, you must have achieved a certain result in specific senior secondary subjects (QCE subjects) (or equivalent).
If a course has a prerequisite(s), you will find this listed in the course entry in the QTAC Guide or online QTAC Course Search and institution websites and publications. The prerequisite requirement will be displayed as “Subject (Units 3 and 4, Letter Grade)”.
Successful completion (i.e. minimum Grade of C or better) in Units 3 and 4 of General subjects will satisfy the majority of subject prerequisites. Some courses may require a higher grade (e.g. minimum achievement of Grade B or better) to satisfy a subject prerequisite.
Subjects are structured into four units: Units 1 and 2 (typically studied in Year 11) and Units 3 and 4 (typically studied in Year 12). Completion of Units 1 and/or 2 only in a subject will not meet the subject prerequisite(s) for a course.
English Prerequisite
The most common prerequisite is the English subject (Units 3 and 4, C). General English subjects are English, English as an Additional Language, Literature, and English & Literature Extension.
Satisfying Prerequisites for entry to initial teacher education programs
The Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) has accepted the General syllabus subjects in Maths, English and Science as prerequisites subjects to meet the entry requirements for initial teacher education courses as follows:
English (for early childhood, primary and secondary courses):
- English
- English as an Additional Language
- Literature
- English & Literature Extension
Maths (for early childhood, primary and secondary courses):
- General Mathematics
- Mathematical Methods
- Specialist Mathematics
Science (for early childhood and primary courses):
- Agricultural Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth & Environmental Science
- Marine Science
- Physics
- Psychology
Assumed knowledge and recommended study
Not all courses have subject prerequisites. In addition to, or instead of, subject prerequisites, some courses have assumed knowledge and/or recommended study.
Not all courses have subject prerequisites. In addition to, or instead of, subject prerequisites, some courses have assumed knowledge and/or recommended study.
If you do not have the assumed knowledge or recommended study, you can still be admitted to the course, but you might have difficulty with your studies.
Other ways to satisfy subject prerequisites
If you didn’t study a prerequisite subject at Units 3 and 4 (or didn’t achieve the minimum grade required), you may be able to meet the requirement in other ways, such as via bridging or preparatory courses, depending on the policy of the institution. Visit www.qtac.edu.au/applying/admission-criteria for more information.
Read more - about ATAR
ATAR and VET qualifications
What is VET?
VET (Vocational Education and Training) qualifications provide students with specific workplace related technical skills. The VET sector includes qualifications from Certificate I through to Advanced Diploma
VET in schools (VETIS)
Queensland students may be able to undertake VET qualifications at school:
- as part of their school studies,
- as school-based apprentice or trainee scheme, or
- by enrolling in a qualification with an external RTO.
VET qualifications, the ATAR and tertiary selection
Completed Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications may be used for tertiary selection in two ways:
- as one of the five inputs into a student’s ATAR, and/or
- as a stand-alone basis for tertiary admission
How will VET qualifications be included in the ATAR?
VET qualification levels that count towards ATAR eligibility are completed Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diplomas. For more information about ATAR eligibility and what inputs can be included in the ATAR calculation, please refer to the QTAC website.
Each year, completed VET qualifications at the same Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level will have the same scaled score, regardless of duration, content or provider. This means, for example, that a completed Certificate III in Hospitality will have the same scaled score as a completed Certificate III in Business. The scaled scores of VET qualifications at each level are expected to change from year to year with each new year 12 cohort.
Individual students’ VET results received by QTAC from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) are simply recorded with a completion status of Yes/No.
Scaling of VET qualifications for the ATAR
Different VET providers have different grading systems and all VET subjects are recorded with simply a completion of status of Yes/No and there is no grading.
In calculating the ATAR, VET subjects are scaled at the specific AQF level by initialising with a default value and averaging the polyranks of the students in the year 12 cohort who have completed the particular qualification at the AQF level e.g. Cert III, Cert IV. (See QTAC’s Technical Document: Calculating the ATAR in Queensland for more detailed information.)
Tips for making sure VET qualifications can be included in your ATAR calculation
- Check that all VET qualifications are recorded as ‘Completed’ in your QCAA learning account by the end of November. This ensures that the QCAA can provide those VET results to QTAC for inclusion in the December ATAR calculation.
- Contact the QCAA directly for issues related to the inclusion of VET qualifications in learning accounts and the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) results.
- Completed VET qualifications that may not have been recorded in a student’s learning account prior to the December ATAR calculation are processed by the QCAA and passed on to QTAC as amendments. QTAC will notify students if there is a change in their ATAR.
VET qualifications for tertiary selection
Admissions criteria for tertiary intuition VET qualifications
Institutions offering courses through QTAC may also consider completed VET qualifications at Certificate III level and higher as a stand-alone basis of tertiary admission (including for non-school leavers applying for tertiary study).
Find out more about each university’s admission criteria for VET qualifications by visiting the institution profile or alternatively visiting their institution website.
- ACU:
- BOND:
- CHC:
- CQU:
- GC:
- GU:
- JCU:
- JMC:
- QUT:
- SCU:
- TAFE:
- UQ:
Performing arts qualifications for tertiary entrance
Non-AQF Performing Arts qualifications such as Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) awards are not included in the ATAR calculation. However, some institutions may consider these qualifications as a basis of admission to tertiary study.
Note: Bond University & QUT will not accept performing arts qualifications as a basis of admission for any category of applicant. Southern Cross University & University of New England are yet to advise of policies at time of publication.
Find out more about each university’s admission criteria for Performing arts qualifications by following the links below:
- ACU:
- CHC:
- CQU:
- GC:
- GU:
- JCU:
- JMC:
- QUT:
- SCU:
- TAFE:
- UQ:
- TORRENS:
- UNE:
- UNISQ:
- UNISC:
For more detailed information on VET scaling, talk to your guidance officer, career counsellor, VE coordinator or head of senior schooling. You can also view QTAC’s Technical Document: Calculating the ATAR in Queensland (Section 3.2).
ATAR and senior external examinations
ATAR and senior external examinations from 2020
The Senior External Examination is a program of individual subject examinations offered to eligible Year 12 students and adult learners and is designed for:
• students in their final year of senior secondary schooling who are unable to access certain subjects at their school because of timetable clashes or subject availability
• adult students (who are 17 years or older, or students under 17 who are eligible):
– to gain credit towards a QCE
– to meet tertiary entrance or employment requirements
– for personal interest.
Available subjects include language and non-language subjects.
Senior External Examination results may contribute to the award of a QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education). Visit the QCAA website www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/senior/see/senior-external-examination for more information
Qualifying for an ATAR with Senior External Examinations
Senior External Examination results can also contribute to ATAR calculations, and are considered like General subjects for this purpose.
Five inputs must be included in the ATAR calculation i.e. either five General (including Senior External Examination) subjects, or four General subjects (including Senior External Examination) plus an Applied subject or a completed VET qualification at Certificate III level or higher.
Satisfactory completion of an English subject is also required (i.e. Units 3 and 4, minimum grade of C or higher from English, English as an Additional Language, English and Literature Extension, Essential English or Literature).
Precluded subjects and subject combinations
The following rules apply regarding precluded subjects and subject combinations in the ATAR calculation:
- Only General English subjects or Applied English subjects can be included in the ATAR but not both. For example: it is not possible to include both English (a General subject) and Essential English (an Applied subject) in a student’s ATAR.
- Only General Mathematics subjects or Applied Mathematics subjects can be included in the ATAR but not both.
- For example: it is not possible to include both Mathematical Methods (a General subject) and Essential Mathematics (an Applied subject) in a student’s ATAR.
- Only one result for the same subject taken as a General subject and via Senior External Examination can be included in the ATAR.
- For example: it is not possible to include both the General subject Chinese and the Senior External Examination subject Chinese in a student’s ATAR. Similarly, it is not possible to include both the General subject Biology and the Senior External Examination subject Biology in a student’s ATAR.
There are no other restrictions on the inclusion of subjects in the ATAR; for example, a student may count the following General subject results in their ATAR:
- both English and Literature
- both Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics
- both Chinese and Chinese Extension
- both Italian (General) and Spanish (General)
- both German (General) and French (Senior External Examination)
Satisfying subject prerequisites with Senior External Examination subjects
To meet the subject prerequisite requirement(s) listed for entry to a course, satisfactory completion of the relevant Senior External Examination subject is required. Satisfactory achievement means a minimum grade of C or better is achieved. Note, some courses may specify that a higher grade is achieved for a subject (e.g. a minimum grade of B required) to meet a prerequisite.
Common subject prerequisites satisfied by the relevant External Senior Examination subjects include English, General Mathematics and Chemistry.
Qualifying for a new ATAR
Qualifying for a new ATAR, ATAR amendments and Variable Progression Rates.
There are a number of situations where a student may qualify for a new ATAR after their first ATAR is released at the completion of their year 12 studies. This factsheet provides information to guide students, teachers and parents through the following: Variable Progression Rate students; re-entry students doing additional subjects; accumulating results, repeating subjects and ATAR amendments. The factsheet also covers the practicalities of having more than one valid ATAR when applying for courses.
Multiple valid ATARs
A student may qualify for more than one ATAR* from multiple attempts at doing additional subjects towards their ATAR, including repeating subjects. This is dependent on the student’s subject selections and QCE results meeting the requirements for accumulating results towards a new ATAR.
*Note: The QTAC Application Customer Declaration requires applicants to declare all attempts at study. This includes all ATAR attempts. Applicants also need to be mindful of institution rules about which ATAR rank to accept for a particular program of study e.g. the highest or the most recent.
My ATAR result says 'ATAR ineligible'. What does this mean?
The ATAR is calculated from the QCE subjects results provided to QTAC by the QCAA. Students who have completed year 12 and whose QCE subject results do not meet the ATAR eligibility criteria (yet) will receive a result of “ATAR ineligible” when ATAR results are released at the end of the year.
Variable progression rate (VPR)
The Variable Progression Rate is a special category which involves a study program for accumulating QCE subject results over more than one year towards gaining ATAR eligibility. Eligibility will be dependent on the subject selections meeting the normal ATAR subject combinations and other key criteria, as below:
i. Currency of Scaled Results for inclusion in the ATAR: Scaled subject results can be used over no more than a five year period, including breaks in study.
ii. Saving scaled results for subjects completed prior to year 12 exit e.g. completed in year 11: The results of students who complete QCE subjects before their year 12 exit year (e.g. accelerated students) will be received from the QCAA by QTAC in the year in which the subjects are completed and will be scaled with that cohort. Those scaled results are saved by QTAC and will be used in the calculation of the ATAR when the full set of QCE results is received at year 12 exit.
iii. Minimum number of subjects for a first ATAR: There is no minimum number of subjects to be studied in a single year for a student’s first ATAR to be calculated.
Students on a VPR program will receive an ATAR notification of ‘ATAR Ineligible’ in the ATAR Portal for each year that they are accumulating subjects, until they successfully complete all subjects required for ATAR eligibility.
Doing additional subjects and accumulating results to qualify for an ATAR
Re-entry Student: A student who has returned to complete year 12 after a period of absence of three years or more following completion of year 10. Most re-entry students will be 18 years or older.
Repeat Student: A student who re-enrols in year 12 at any time following their completion of year 12, ie after a Senior Statement has been issued.
Students may seek to improve on their original ATAR by repeating or doing additional QCE subjects in the
year/s following the issue of their original ATAR. The following rules apply to qualifying for a new ATAR:
i. Repeating subjects: most recent result used
Where a student has repeated a subject, the scaled result of the most recent attempt is used in the calculation of the new ATAR even if this result is lower than an earlier attempt.
ii. Minimum number of additional (new) subjects for a new ATAR
For a new ATAR to be calculated, a student must complete and receive scores from QCAA in a minimum of:
• 3 General subjects at Units 3 & 4, OR
• 2 General subjects at Units 3 & 4 plus one Applied subject or completed Certificate III or higher level VET qualification.
For each additional year that a student satisfies this requirement within a five year period, a new ATAR will be calculated for the student.
The results of the 3 (or more) new subjects must be included in the calculation of the new ATAR.
The best two scaled results from previous years are also used in the calculation of the new ATAR. If a student fails a new attempt at a General or Applied English subject, the scaled result will be used as an input to the new ATAR. However, provided they have passed a General or Applied English subject at some time in the last 5 years, they will still be ATAR eligible.
iii. Valid subject combinations
There are some subject study patterns and choices which can lead to subjects ‘cancelling’ each other out, thereby rendering a student with 3 new subjects ineligible for a new ATAR. The following precluded subject combinations are applicable for individual students in their ATAR calculations:
1. Only General English subjects or Applied English subjects can be included in the ATAR, but not both. For example, it is not possible to include both English (a General subject) and Essential English (an Applied subject) in a student’s ATAR.
2. Only General Mathematics subjects or Applied Mathematics subjects can be included in the ATAR, but not both. For example, it is not possible to include both Mathematical Methods (a General subject) and Essential Mathematics (an Applied subject) in a student’s ATAR.
3. Only one result for the same subject taken as a General subject and via Senior External Examination can be included in the ATAR. For example, it is not possible to include both the General subject Chinese and the Senior External Examination subject Chinese in a student’s ATAR. Similarly, it is not possible to include both the General subject Biology and the Senior External Examination subject Biology in a student’s ATAR**
**There is no restriction on the inclusion of the General subject Chinese Extension in the ATAR calculation.
Multiple valid ATARs
A student may qualify for more than one ATAR from multiple attempts at doing additional QCE subjects, including repeating subjects. Issuing of a new ATAR is dependent on the student’s subject selections and QCE results meeting the eligibility requirements for accumulating results towards a new ATAR (as above).
All valid ATAR results will be recorded in the student’s ATAR Portal account.
If I have more than one valid ATAR, will the highest ATAR be considered in their application for tertiary study, or will the most recent ATAR be used?
There is no single answer to this question. Generally, the highest ATAR will be used. However, the final decision depends on the specific course requirements and individual institution’s admissions policies.
Any student wishing to study further to improve their ATAR for a specific course should check the institution’s course entry requirements carefully. For example, a person who has already completed year 12 and then repeats/continues their QCE studies to achieve a new ATAR, may not be eligible for current year 12 entry into some courses, such as medicine.
Adjustments and Selection Rank
What is a Selection Rank?
A selection rank is a numerical value used by tertiary institutions to assess an applicant’s suitability for a specific course. It is derived from various criteria, including academic achievements and other factors like adjustments for certain circumstances. The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is often mistaken for the selection rank, but they are distinct. The ATAR is an achievement measure indicating how a student performed relative to their peers. This ATAR value is then converted into a selection rank, which may or may not include additional adjustments.
Read more on the Selection Rank
How is a Selection Rank Calculated?
The calculation of a selection rank begins with the ATAR, which is then adjusted according to specific criteria set by each institution. Adjustments, previously known as ‘bonus points,’ are added to the ATAR-based selection rank, not the ATAR itself. These adjustments can be based on various factors, such as:
Subject Performance: High achievement in particular subjects.
Equity Considerations: Disadvantages faced by the student.
Location: Regional or remote area adjustments.
Special Schemes: Institutional policies or special entry programs.
Each tertiary institution have unique rules and criteria for applying these adjustments, and they can be specific to certain courses.
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Competency-based Training and Selection Ranks
Competency-based training (CBT) also impacts selection ranks. Here’s how different scenarios are handled:
Completed Competency-Based Training: Your completed competency-based course can be given a QTAC selection rank. If it is a VET qualification (Certificate III to Advanced Diploma), a set completion rank is given for the completed qualification, if done at tertiary level (Bachelor or higher), the rank is based on duration and level of study.
Incomplete Competency-Based Training: If you do not complete your competency-based diploma or higher-level course, you may still be given a rank. This rank will be based on the level and duration of study. It will often be lower than a rank assigned to a completed qualification. Selection ranks are not assigned to incomplete Certificate III or IV study.
Year 12 Results: Undertaking competency-based training does not change your ATAR. If you complete a competency-based qualification while at school, this can be given its own rank, separate from and in addition to your ATAR.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT): A good result in the STAT can increase the rank for competency-based study, provided you have passed all modules. Poor STAT results will not affect the rank for your competency-based study. STAT will not improve any competency-based study with an overall failing grade point average (GPA). If you have failing tertiary study of one or more year’s full-time (or equivalent part-time) duration, contact the admissions office of the institution you wish to study at for more information as to how they utilise STAT for selection ranks.
Results of ‘Not Yet Competent’: If you receive one or more results of ‘not yet competent’, we calculate your selection rank according to your grade point average (GPA). We give a grade of 4 (pass) for each ‘competent’ and a grade of 1.5 (fail) for each ‘not yet competent’. We then assess your qualification as graded study rather than competency-based. If you repeat all the modules for which you received a result of ‘not yet competent’ and get a result of ‘competent’ for each, we assess your qualification as competency-based.
Qualifications with Both Competency-Based and Graded Assessment: If your results include both competency-based and graded assessments, the rank is calculated based on the majority type. If 75% or more of your results are competency-based, your qualification is assessed as competency-based. If less than 25% are competency-based, it is assessed as graded. For results in between, it is scored both ways, and the higher rank is given.
TAFE Queensland Courses
TAFE Queensland results might include Performance Level Assessment (PLA). This is similar to graded assessment in that it gives more information about your individual achievement. It provides evidence of extra effort and performance in certain areas. To get a PLA result, you must first achieve a ‘competent’ in the unit or module. For more information, contact TAFE Queensland.
If you receive mostly PLA results, we will assess your qualification as graded. If you have an equal number of competency results and PLA results we will score it both ways and give you the higher rank.
Diplomas Containing Certificates
Some diplomas include ‘nested’ certificates, allowing for the awarding of certificate qualifications before completing the diploma. In such cases, a rank is given based on the certificate, but this rank may not be sufficient for entry into certain courses. Call us on 1300 467 822 for more information about the rank your certificate may receive.
In conclusion, understanding the nuances of selection ranks, their calculation, and their application by different institutions can significantly impact an applicant’s approach to securing a place in their desired course. It is advisable for students to explore the specific criteria and adjustment schemes of the institutions they are interested in to maximise their chances of admission.
Depending on which institution you have in mind will determine the policies on how they handle competency-based training. If you are still looking at your pathway options and want to understand the institution’s rules with CBT, it’s best to contact the institution.
ATAR Appeals
QTAC offers an ATAR Appeal process which gives ATAR recipients the opportunity to request a review of their final ATAR result calculation. An ATAR Appeal is made by lodging a formal application online. All ATAR recipients have the right to appeal. However, appeals must be lodged by the ATAR recipients themselves.
The 2024 ATAR Appeals period will run from when ATARs are released on 13 December 2024 until 31 January 2025.
When to consider an appeal
An ATAR appeal should only be considered in situations where the student has good reason to believe that their ATAR has not been calculated in accordance with QTAC’s approved rules, policies, procedures and practices.
These rules are contained in the approved document, Calculating the ATAR in Queensland Technical Document (see QTAC website).
Where your ATAR is likely to change due to amendments (changes) in your QCE results e.g. due to a review, you do not need to lodge an appeal. (See below for more information)
Appeal Fee
The ATAR Appeal fee is $35 (incl. GST).
Payment must be made online when the Appeal Application is submitted.
If the Appeal is successful the fee will be fully refunded.
How to Lodge an Appeal
- Contact QTAC to discuss any concerns with your ATAR and to work out the best way forward.
- Familiarise yourself with the Calculating the ATAR in Queensland Technical Document.
- Use this in your Appeal to prepare the reasons why you believe a review and recalculation of your ATAR is needed.
- Prepare supporting documentation for your appeal. All supporting documentation attached to your application must be clearly identified with your full name and LUI.
- Complete the ATAR Appeal form.
- Pay the appeal fee online at the time of lodging the Appeal application.
- Submit the ATAR Appeal online application form.
ATAR Appeal Form
Below is the form to commence the ATAR Appeals Process. This is a formal procedure designed to ensure the accuracy of your ATAR. Please submit an appeal only if you have substantial reasons to believe your ATAR was not calculated following QTAC’s approved rules.
When to consider an appeal
An ATAR appeal should only be considered in situations where the student has good reason to believe that their ATAR has not been calculated in accordance with QTAC’s approved rules, policies, procedures and practices.
These rules are contained in the approved document, Calculating the ATAR in Queensland Technical Document (see QTAC website).
Where your ATAR is likely to change due to amendments (changes) in your QCE results e.g. due to a review, you do not need to lodge an appeal. (See below for more information)
ATAR verification
Need to validate your ATAR? Review what the ATAR Verification process can offer.
QTAC’s ATAR Verification service is designed to assist students, educational institutions and employers in assuring the validity of the ATAR results shared by a student when applying for courses, scholarships and jobs. The service will be particularly useful for those students applying to institutions overseas, interstate and through direct application (i.e. not through an Australian tertiary admissions centre).
Read more - about ATAR verification
The ATAR Verification Service offers the option to order a printed certificate as a tangible reminder of your academic success:
PRINTED VERIFICATION
Request a printed and verified copy of your own ATAR certificate to be mailed to you.
$29.00 incl. GST
ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION
Request a verified electronic copy of your ATAR results to be transferred to up to three (3) nominated institutions, employer or other entities in a single transaction. More transactions will incur further charges.
$17.00 incl. GST
To access the ATAR Verification Service use the online request form. Complete the form with all the required details and make payment via credit card.
Please note: Students who have put in an application with QTAC do NOT need to apply for the Electronic Verification service. QTAC applicants give consent in their application for QTAC to make their ATAR available to the relevant QTAC institutions.
Interstate applicants: Students applying to interstate TACs do not need to apply for ATAR Verification if they have an ATAR account. Students with an ATAR account give consent for QTAC to share their ATAR results with interstate TACs.
Please make sure the information you enter is accurate and correct, especially the contact details of the three nominated entities for the Electronic Verification service. QTAC takes no responsibility for institutions not receiving ATAR results due to incorrect information supplied.
QTAC will endeavour to complete Verification service requests within ten days from receipt (not including time allowances for postal delivery).
For further assistance please email verification@qtac.edu.au.
ATAR Scaling
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Ready to receive your ATAR?
How to Register or Log in to the ATAR Portal:
You will need the following personal details ready to set up your ATAR account:
- Full name (as shown on your QCAA learning account)
- Date of birth
- LUI number
- Personal email address (do not use your school email)
ATAR account holders from previous years should still be able to log into the ATAR Portal.
Please Note: If you are planning to apply to tertiary study in 2025, you will also need to complete a QTAC Application. Receiving the ATAR by text message is not an option.
How can I receive/ view my ATAR?
- Online: You can view your ATAR by logging in to your ATAR Portal account.
- Email: ATAR results will not be sent directly to your email address. However, you can opt in to receive a single notification via email when the results are released and can then log in to the ATAR Portal to view your ATAR.
- Print: Log in to the ATAR Portal to view your ATAR and to download and print a copy of your ATAR certificate.
Essential information
Keep checking these pages, as they are date-specific, updated regularly, and contain important information that you’ll need as you plan to submit your application for each offer round.
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