This report examines the relevance of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and if it matters more to schools or universities. 

Reflecting on the ATAR’s intended purpose, this analysis asks, for whom is it working well, or not so well? Is its use changing over time? And what are the implications for meeting our national education policy objectives? 

The analysis shows that three in ten school leavers moving on to university are now admitted without reference to an ATAR. 

Key findings

• In 2024, across Australia, 64% of Year 12 students received an ATAR.
• The proportion of Year 12 students receiving an ATAR varies greatly across the states and territories, from 79% in New South Wales to 38% in Western Australia.
• The proportion of Year 12 students receiving an ATAR is trending down in Western Australia and Victoria (2019–2024). The only state where there has been an increase during this time is South Australia.
• The Group of Eight Universities are the most ATAR reliant when admitting recent school leavers.
• Universities in the Regional Universities Network are the least reliant on ATAR.