With the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) evaluation report due soon, it’s timely to reassess Senior Secondary Education – especially the benefits, drawbacks and long‑term viability of Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR)‑based systems.
A recent report by Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute highlights significant national trends in the use of the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).
In 2024, just under two‑thirds of Year 12 students (64 per cent) received an ATAR, though participation varied widely across states.
New South Wales recorded the highest proportion at 79 per cent, while Western Australia sat at only 38 per cent and Queensland at 51 per cent.
The report also shows that ATAR remains a major, but not exclusive, pathway into higher education.
In 2023, 63 per cent of bachelor’s degree students were admitted solely based on their ATAR, with a further seven (7) per cent admitted using ATAR plus additional criteria.
