Media releases

Tertiary admissions centres prepare for ATAR release - ACTAC

09 Dec 2025

WITH Year 12 results nearly final, preparations are underway at tertiary admissions centres across the country for the calculation of students’ Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

The Australasian Conference of Tertiary Admissions Centres (ACTAC), representing all Australian tertiary admissions centres, emphasises that the ATAR is a rank, not a grade. Its purpose is to provide institutions with a consistent way to compare the overall achievement of students who have completed thousands of different combinations of Year 12 courses. Tertiary admissions centres work together to ensure that the ATAR is nationally consistent, allowing tertiary institutions to select students from across the county in an objective and equitable manner.

While the ATAR is an important consideration for entry into tertiary study, it’s not always the only pathway. For some courses, other criteria may also be used when selecting students, including personal statements, questionnaires, portfolios, auditions, interviews or tests.

ACTAC Chair, Teresa Tjia said, “The ATAR is designed to indicate readiness for tertiary study; it does not reflect a student’s full range of capabilities and skills, or the many qualities they will bring to life after school.”

Tertiary Admission Centres nationwide will release ATARs on the dates listed below. ACTAC members wish all students every success as they embark on their chosen pathways in 2026.

ATAR release dates 2025

NSW/ACTQldSA/NTTasVicWA
9am
Thu 18 Dec
12 noon
Thu 18 Dec
8.30am (ACDT)
Mon 15 Dec
Thu 17 Dec
(progressively)
9am
Thu 11 Dec
9pm
Fri 19 Dec

For media queries, contact the tertiary admissions centre in your state.

StateContactEmail
NSW/ACTKim Paino, UACkim.paino@uac.edu.au 
QldJulia Gilbert, QTACmedia@qtac.edu.au
SA/NTMadi Kelsey, SATACcomms_media@satac.edu.au
TasDayna King, University of Tasmaniadayna.king@utas.edu.au  
VicMichael Ciesielski, VTACmichael.ciesielski@vtac.edu.au 
WAEdwina Byrne, TISCedwinab@tisc.edu.au
ACTAC logos, UAC, SATAC, TISC, QTAC, UTAS, VTAC

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For further information (media only) email media@uac.edu.au or contact:
Diane Jardine, Communications Coordinator, UAC on 0436 459 603, or
Kim Paino, Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer, UAC on 0409 155 112