Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)

WHAT IS THE ATAR? 

The ATAR is a rank. 

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to all the students in their age group (i.e. all 16 to 20 year olds in NSW). So, an ATAR of 80.00 means that you are 20 per cent from the top of your age group (not your Year 12 group). 

Universities use the ATAR to help them select students for their courses and admission to most tertiary courses is based on your selection rank (your ATAR + any applicable adjustments). Most universities also use other criteria when selecting students (e.g. a personal statement, a questionnaire, a portfolio of work, an audition, an interview or a test). 

WHO GETS AN ATAR? 

To be eligible for an ATAR in NSW, you must satisfactorily complete at least 10 units of HSC courses. These courses must include at least:

• 10 units of HSC Board Developed courses

• 2 units of English

• three HSC Board Developed courses of 2 units or greater

• four subject areas.

HSC students who indicate on their HSC Entry Form that they wish to be notified of their ATAR will receive an ATAR Advice Notice from UAC at about the same time they receive their HSC results from NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).  

However not all ATAR Advice Notices will show an ATAR. These include:  

• Students who achieve an ATAR between 0.00 and 30.00; they will have their ATAR reported as "30.00 or less".

• Students who do not meet the ATAR rules; the statement ‘Not eligible for an ATAR’ will appear on the ATAR Advice Notice.  

Students can gain access to University through credit transfers from TAFE, STAT Tests, Newstep, Open Foundation and as a mature age student.