Quick Read
- Victorian students receive their ATAR results first on December 11, with other states following through December 21.
- In 2024, only 64% of Year 12 students received an ATAR, and 30% of university admissions for recent school leavers were made without considering ATAR.
- ATAR’s role in university admissions varies significantly by institution and field of study.
- Alternative pathways such as vocational training and bridging programs are increasingly common for university entry.
- Experts highlight growing anxiety around ATAR, but urge students to explore all available options and support services.
When and How to Access Your ATAR Results in 2025
For millions of Australian students, the moment of truth arrives every December: ATAR results day. The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0 and 99.95, reflecting a student’s performance relative to their Year 12 peers. In 2025, the ritual remains familiar—but the meaning behind that score is evolving.
Release dates vary by state and territory, making it essential for students to know when and how to check their results:
- Victoria: VCE and ATAR results are released at 7am on December 11 via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Students need to register beforehand and use their VCAA student number and password to log in.
- South Australia & Northern Territory: ATAR results are available at 8:30am on December 15 through the SACE online portal, with registration number and PIN required.
- Tasmania: Results come out on December 17 and are progressively emailed to students. They can also access their scores on the TASC website.
- NSW & ACT: Students can check results at 9am on December 18 via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) website, using their PIN or student number.
- Queensland: Access is granted at 7am on December 18 through the ATAR Portal, requiring an LUI number and personal email.
- Western Australia: Results are released on December 21 via the SCSA student portal, though the exact time isn’t specified—students should check throughout the day.
For many, the process is nerve-racking. As one Victorian student, Zhou, shared: “I definitely think I did my best in VCE so I am expecting something good, but I am also trying to not raise my hopes. It is nerve-racking.”
What Is ATAR—and How Is It Used?
The ATAR serves as a ranking tool, calculated by combining a student’s best scaled subjects—two units of English and eight other units. Its purpose is to enable universities to compare applicants from different schools, subjects, and states on a common scale. An ATAR of 70.00 means a student performed better than 70% of their cohort, not that they scored 70% on assessments (SSBCrack News).
Yet, the ATAR is not the only gateway to university. In 2023, only about 63% of recent school leavers were admitted solely on ATAR, while 7% entered with a combination of ATAR and other criteria (like tests or portfolios). Strikingly, 30% of students commenced undergraduate studies without any ATAR consideration. Bridging programs, vocational training, and prior tertiary education increasingly provide alternative routes.
The importance of ATAR varies widely across Australia’s 39 public universities. Some institutions rely on it almost exclusively, while others use it in as few as 10% of admissions cases. Prestigious universities, such as those in the Group of Eight, tend to value ATAR scores highly for disciplines like engineering and IT. Meanwhile, creative arts, education, and agriculture programs often admit students through alternative pathways.
Is ATAR Losing Its Grip?
Research from Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute (EducationHQ) paints a picture of a system in flux. The ATAR’s significance is diminishing, with its real impact depending on the university, course, and applicant’s location. For example, ATAR-only admissions are most common in Engineering and Natural and Physical Sciences (72%), but drop to 41-43% in Creative Arts, Education, and Agriculture.
In 2024, only 64% of Australian Year 12 students received an ATAR, with notable state differences: 79% in NSW, 72% in Victoria, but just 38% in Western Australia. The percentage is declining in Victoria and WA, while South Australia has seen a rise. This trend mirrors a broader diversification in post-school pathways: apprenticeships, vocational education, direct employment, and tertiary study are all viable options.
Socio-economic background also shapes the ATAR’s role. Students from low-income or Indigenous backgrounds often pursue non-ATAR routes, highlighting persistent inequities in educational achievement.
Peter Hutton, Executive Director at Global Village Learning, calls the ATAR an outdated system that “creates winners and losers in an unfair system.” The intense focus on ATAR exam preparation breeds anxiety and stress, often overshadowing the broader skills and achievements of students. Hutton’s critique is echoed by many educators, who argue that the ATAR’s ranking function is no longer suited to the realities of modern education.
Beyond the Score: What Students and Families Should Know
For some, a strong ATAR score will open doors to their dream course and university. For others, disappointment might prompt a rethink—but this is far from the end of the road. La Trobe University professor Therese Keane urges students to interpret their results thoughtfully and explore support services: “Some students might be feeling quite disappointed with their scores. There are so many different pathways now, so whatever you get won’t be the defining moment that stops you from pursing your dreams.”
Mitchell Institute Director Professor Peter Hurley emphasizes the need for clearer information: “The ATAR is often treated as if it decides everything, but our analysis shows it applies much less often than people think. Students deserve clear information about what the ATAR means, how it will be used, and about the full range of pathways available to them.”
As the ATAR’s dominance wanes, understanding where it is necessary—and where it is not—empowers students to make informed decisions. Universities are expanding entry options, including portfolios, interviews, bridging courses, and recognition of prior learning. This evolving admissions landscape reflects a growing recognition that one number cannot capture a student’s full potential.
The Big Picture: Is the System Keeping Up?
Despite its longevity, the ATAR remains unique internationally; Australia is the only jurisdiction among 251 countries and territories using percentile rankings to compare students directly. With just 40% of students moving straight to university—and only 60% of those relying solely on ATAR—questions persist about why all Year 12 students must participate in a ranking system that ultimately matters for less than a quarter of them (EducationHQ).
As education policy adapts to these realities, students and families should focus on the full spectrum of opportunities. Whether the ATAR is the ticket to a chosen course or simply a stepping stone, there’s a growing acknowledgment that success comes in many forms.
Assessment: The facts show that while the ATAR still plays a pivotal role for some, its relevance is rapidly declining amid the rise of alternative pathways and changing university practices. Students’ futures are increasingly shaped by a diverse range of choices, not a single score. Policymakers and educators must now ensure guidance and support keep pace with these shifting realities, so no young person feels defined—or limited—by their ATAR result.