Key Takeaways
- A “Good” ATAR is Relative: A “good” ATAR is simply the one that gets you into your desired course. However, an ATAR of 70.00 is considered good and provides solid entry options to many universities.
- The National Average is ~70.00: The average ATAR across Australia sits at approximately 70.00. This is higher than 50.00 because it represents the top percentile of all students in that age group, many of whom left school before Year 12.
- 80.00 Opens Competitive Doors: An ATAR of 80.00+ is considered very good and opens doors to most degrees, including those at Group of Eight (Go8) universities.
- 90.00+ is for Elite Programs: Highly competitive degrees like Medicine, Dentistry, and Law at top-tier universities typically require an ATAR of 90.00 or higher (often 95.00+).
- A Low ATAR Isn’t the End: If your ATAR is below 60.00, numerous alternative pathways, such as bridging courses, TAFE transfers, and enabling programs, can still lead to your desired degree.
Receiving your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) can be one of the most nerve-wracking moments of your final school year. Once you have that number, the immediate question is almost always: “Is this a good ATAR?”
The truth is, a “good” ATAR is highly subjective. While a 99.95 is the highest possible rank, a score of 65.00 might be perfect if it guarantees entry into your dream nursing or teaching program.
This guide breaks down what different ATAR ranges actually mean, the average scores across Australia, and what ranks are typically required for popular university degrees in 2026.
What Does Your ATAR Range Mean?
Your ATAR is a rank, not a percentage. It shows where you place relative to all the students in your age group across the state (not just those who completed Year 12). Here is a breakdown of what different ATAR ranges generally signify and what opportunities they unlock:
90.00 – 99.95: Excellent
An ATAR in the 90s means you are in the top 10% of your age group. This is considered an excellent rank and is typically required for entry into highly competitive, elite programs such as Medicine, Law, Dentistry, and specialized Engineering degrees. It provides strong entry options at Australia’s prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities, like the University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, and ANU.
80.00 – 89.95: Very Good
An ATAR of 80.00 means you performed better than 80% of your age group. This is a very strong score that opens the door to the vast majority of university courses across Australia. With an 80+ ATAR, you have excellent prospects for degrees in Commerce, Engineering, Science, and Allied Health, even at competitive institutions.
70.00 – 79.95: Good (The National Average)
The national average ATAR sits around 70.00. Therefore, an ATAR in the 70s is a solid, above-average result. It provides guaranteed or highly likely entry into a wide range of standard degrees, including Arts, Business, Nursing, Education, and IT at most mid-tier and regional universities.
60.00 – 69.95: Average / Accessible
An ATAR in the 60s will still gain you direct entry into many university programs, particularly in the Humanities, standard Business degrees, and some Health Sciences. You may need to look outside the most highly sought-after metropolitan universities, but direct entry is still very common.
Below 60.00: Pathway territory
If your ATAR is below 60.00, direct entry into a Bachelor’s degree straight out of high school becomes more limited. However, this is not the end of your university journey. This range is where pathway programs become essential.
What ATAR Do You Need for Popular Degrees?
Course cut-offs change slightly every year based on supply and demand. However, looking at indicative data for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, here is what you can generally expect to need for popular fields of study.
| Degree Area | Typical Minimum ATAR Range | Notes |
| Medicine / Dentistry | 90.00 – 99.95+ | Extremely competitive. Usually requires additional testing (UCAT) and interviews. Realistically, 95.00+ is often needed. |
| Law | 85.00 – 99.00+ | Elite Go8 universities often require 95.00+. Mid-tier universities may accept mid-80s. |
| Engineering | 75.00 – 90.00+ | Varies heavily by specialization and university. Go8 unis often require 85+. |
| Business & Commerce | 70.00 – 85.00+ | Highly accessible. Elite commerce programs at top unis will require 85-95+. |
| Nursing & Allied Health | 65.00 – 80.00+ | Varies by specialty (e.g., Physiotherapy often requires 90+). |
| Arts & Humanities | 60.00 – 75.00+ | Generally offers more flexible entry requirements. |
(Note: Always check specific university guides (UAC, VTAC, QTAC, etc.) for exact, up-to-date prerequisites and selection ranks.)
University-Specific ATAR Expectations
The university you wish to attend heavily influences what is considered a “good” ATAR. Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) research universities naturally have higher entry thresholds due to high demand.
Group of Eight (Go8) Universities
If you are aiming for institutions like the University of Sydney, UNSW, University of Melbourne, or ANU, you generally need an ATAR of 80.00+ for most mainstream courses. For their most popular programs, the benchmark is often 85.00 to 90.00+.
Mid-Tier and Regional Universities
Universities outside the Go8 offer fantastic education with more accessible entry requirements. Institutions in major cities (like RMIT, QUT, or Macquarie) and regional universities often accept ATARs ranging from 65.00 to 75.00 for a wide variety of excellent Bachelor’s programs.
What If You Don’t Get the ATAR You Need?
If your final ATAR isn’t quite what you hoped for, don’t panic. The ATAR is simply a mechanism for immediate school-leavers; it is not the only way into university.
1. Adjustment Factors (Bonus Points)
Your ATAR is converted into a Selection Rank by universities. You may be eligible for adjustment factors (previously called bonus points) based on educational disadvantage, living in a regional area, or performing exceptionally well in specific Year 12 subjects related to your course. An ATAR of 68.00 could easily become a Selection Rank of 73.00.
2. Upgrading via Another Course
If you miss the cut-off for your dream degree (e.g., a Bachelor of Science requiring an 80.00), you can often enroll in a related degree with a lower cut-off (e.g., a Bachelor of Arts requiring a 65.00). After completing one year of study with good grades, you can use your new university GPA to transfer into your desired Science degree, completely bypassing your high school ATAR.
3. Pathway and Enabling Programs
Most universities offer internal diplomas or foundation courses. These programs usually take one year, have much lower entry requirements (or don’t require an ATAR at all), and upon successful completion, guarantee entry into the second year of a related Bachelor’s degree.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. ATAR requirements, course cut-offs, and selection ranks fluctuate annually based on applicant demand and university policies. The figures provided are indicative guidelines based on recent admissions data. For official, up-to-date entry requirements, always consult the specific university’s website or your state’s tertiary admissions centre (e.g., UAC, VTAC, QTAC, TISC).