The ATAR in one sentence
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a percentile rank, from 0 to 99.95 in steps of 0.05, that shows where you sit relative to your age cohort. An ATAR of 80.00 means you performed as well as or better than 80% of that group. It is not a score out of 100 and not an average of your marks.
The three steps everywhere
Every state follows the same basic pattern. First, your subject results are scaled so that results in different subjects can be compared fairly; scaling adjusts for the strength of the cohort taking each subject, not how "hard" the subject is said to be. Second, your best permissible scaled results are added to form an aggregate, using your state's rules. Third, aggregates are ranked and converted to an ATAR. Because the third step depends on how everyone performed that year, the same aggregate can give a different ATAR in different years.
Victoria (VTAC)
VTAC builds your aggregate from your "primary four": your scaled study score in one of English, English Language, Literature or English as an Additional Language, plus your next three highest permissible scaled study scores. It then adds up to two increments, most commonly 10% of a fifth and a sixth scaled study score. A maximum of six studies count. The aggregate can range from 0 to over 210 in exceptional cases, and is then converted to an ATAR.
Our ATAR estimator applies this Victorian aggregate rule to scaled scores you enter. It deliberately stops at the aggregate rather than inventing an ATAR, because the aggregate-to-ATAR conversion changes every year and VTAC publishes it only after results.
New South Wales and the ACT (UAC)
In NSW the ATAR is based on an aggregate of scaled marks in 10 units of HSC courses: your best 2 units of English plus your best 8 remaining units. To be eligible you need at least 10 units of ATAR courses, including 2 units of English, at least three Board Developed courses of 2 units or more, and at least four subjects. English must count even if it's your lowest result. Scaled marks are not reported to students.
Queensland (QTAC)
QTAC calculates the ATAR from your best five scaled results, from five General subjects, or four General subjects plus one Applied subject or a completed VET qualification at Certificate III or above. You must satisfactorily complete an English subject (a C or better), but English only counts in the calculation if it's one of your best five scaled results.
Western Australia (TISC)
In WA your Tertiary Entrance Aggregate (TEA) is the sum of your best four scaled scores, plus 10% of your best Language Other Than English scaled score if you have one, plus 10% of your Mathematics Methods and Mathematics Specialist scaled scores if you have them. These bonuses apply even if those subjects aren't in your best four. You need at least four scaled scores for an ATAR.
South Australia and the Northern Territory (SATAC)
In SA and the NT, the ATAR is based on a university aggregate built from 90 credits of Stage 2 SACE results, combining scaled scores from three 20-credit tertiary admission subjects with a flexible option made up of 30 further credits. SATAC's guides set out exactly which subjects and combinations qualify.
Tasmania
In Tasmania the ATAR is derived from a Tertiary Entrance score calculated from TASC level 3 and 4 courses. Check UTAS and TASC for the current rules.
Scaling myths
Students often choose subjects based on how they scale, but this can backfire. Scaling adjusts results according to the strength of the group taking each subject; a strong result in a subject you enjoy and do well in will usually help you more than a weaker result in a subject that scales up. Admissions centres generally advise choosing subjects you're interested in, are good at, and need as prerequisites for courses you're considering.
Also remember that many universities offer adjustment factors, sometimes called bonus points, for things like studying certain subjects, living in particular regions or experiencing educational disadvantage. These are added to your ATAR to create a selection rank for specific courses, so the ATAR you need may be lower than the published figure.
What this means for you
Your ATAR depends on relative performance and on your state's rules, so no website can give you an exact figure in advance. Use estimates to plan, not to decide. Focus on strong results in the subjects that will count under your state's rules, and check entry requirements and adjustment factors (bonus points) with the universities you're interested in. The rules above are summarised from VTAC, UAC, QTAC, TISC and SATAC; always check the official guides for your year. For uni grades later, see our Australian GPA calculator.
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Last reviewed 11 October 2026. Unofficial guidance; check official sources for decisions.
FAQ
Is the ATAR a percentage?
No. It's a rank showing the percentage of your age cohort you performed as well as or better than.
How many subjects count towards the ATAR in Victoria?
Up to six: English plus your best three (the primary four) and 10% of a fifth and sixth.
What is the highest ATAR?
99.95.