ACT ATAR cutoffs change by course and by year. Most degrees sit between 70 and 85. Competitive courses need 90 or more. Medicine is the toughest, usually 95 and above, with extra steps like the UCAT test and an interview. A cutoff is the lowest ATAR that got an offer last year, so treat it as a guide and confirm the current number with the university.
Key takeaways
- A cutoff is the lowest ATAR that received an offer last year, not a fixed pass mark.
- Most ACT courses sit between 70 and 85.
- Competitive courses need 90+. Medicine usually needs 95+ plus extra steps.
- ANU is a Group of Eight university, so its top courses run high.
- Cutoffs change every year with demand, so last year’s number is a guide only.
- Bonus points can lift your selection rank above your raw ATAR.
How ACT ATAR cutoffs work
A cutoff is not a pass mark set in advance. It is the lowest ATAR, or selection rank, that still received an offer last year.
Demand sets the cutoff. If lots of strong students apply for a course, the cutoff rises. If fewer apply, it can fall. So the number moves each year.
This means the cutoff you see is a snapshot from last year. It is a good guide, but it is not a promise. Always check the current figure on the university course page.
What a cutoff really means
Students often mix up two numbers. The cutoff is the lowest offer. The median is the middle score of students who got in.
The median is usually higher than the cutoff. So if a course lists a cutoff of 80, many students who enrolled had higher ATARs than that.
The safe plan is to aim above the cutoff, not just to match it. That gives you a buffer if the cutoff rises this year.
Typical ATAR ranges by course
Here is a rough guide across ACT universities. These are broad ranges, not exact cutoffs, so use them to sanity-check your goal:
- Arts, education, business and general science: about 70–85.
- Engineering, health science and nursing: often 80–90.
- Law and competitive commerce: commonly 90+.
- Medicine: usually 95–99+, plus a test and interview.
ANU tends to sit at the higher end for popular courses, as a Group of Eight university. The University of Canberra offers a wide range, often with more accessible entry. Confirm the current number for your exact course before you rely on it.
A closer look at ACT universities
Canberra has two main universities, plus easy access to universities interstate. Knowing each one helps you set a realistic target.
- ANU, the Australian National University, is a highly ranked Group of Eight university. Its popular courses are competitive.
- University of Canberra (UC) is strong in areas like health, education and design, often with a wider range of entry levels.
Because the ACT uses UAC, many Canberra students also apply to universities in NSW and beyond. So your options are wider than just the two local universities.
Medicine in the ACT
Medicine is the most competitive path. ANU offers a well-known medical program, though its main pathway is at postgraduate level, with some assured pathways for school leavers.
For any medical pathway, a high ATAR is only the first hurdle. You usually also sit the UCAT test and attend an interview. A strong ATAR gets you considered, not guaranteed.
If medicine is your goal, plan early. Aim for top scaled scores, prepare for the UCAT, and read the exact entry steps, because they differ between universities.
Getting in with a lower ATAR
A lower ATAR does not close the door. ACT universities, and those interstate, offer several pathways in.
Options include enabling and foundation programs, starting in a related degree and transferring, or entry based on other criteria.
- Enabling programs prepare you for a degree, then lead into it.
- Transfer pathways let you move up after a strong first year.
- Adjustment factors can lift your selection rank for eligible students.
So if your ATAR falls short of a course, ask the university about pathways. Many students reach the same degree by a slightly longer route.
Adjustment and bonus points
Universities add adjustment points for some students. These lift your selection rank above your raw ATAR.
You might earn them for subjects you studied, for where you live, or for other eligible reasons. So a cutoff of 85 can still be within reach with an ATAR a little below it.
Check what you qualify for early. Our selection rank calculator shows how these points change your chances.
Why cutoffs change every year
Cutoffs shift for simple reasons. The number of applicants changes. The number of places changes. A course that trends one year can jump the next.
This is why you should never treat a single past cutoff as fixed. Look at the last few years if you can, and aim above the range to stay safe.
How to use cutoffs to plan
Start with the course you want, not the ATAR you expect. Find its recent cutoff. Then work backwards to the scaled scores you need.
Next, estimate your own ATAR with our ACT ATAR calculator. Compare it to the cutoff. If there is a gap, you still have time to close it, and our guide to improving your ACT ATAR shows how.
Common questions
What ATAR do I need for university in the ACT?
It depends on the course. Most ACT courses sit between 70 and 85. Competitive courses need 90 or more, and medicine usually needs 95 plus a test and interview. Check the current cutoff on the university's course page.
What ATAR do you need for ANU?
It varies by course. As a Group of Eight university, ANU's popular courses often need 90 or more, and its most competitive ones run higher. Some courses sit lower, so check each one.
What ATAR do you need for medicine in the ACT?
Medicine usually needs an ATAR of 95 or above, plus the UCAT test and an interview. ANU's main medical pathway is at postgraduate level, with some assured pathways for school leavers, so read the entry steps carefully.
Do ACT universities give bonus points?
Yes. Universities add adjustment points for factors like subjects and location. These lift your selection rank above your raw ATAR, so a course can be within reach even if your ATAR is a little below its cutoff.
Is the cutoff the same as the average ATAR?
No. A cutoff is the lowest ATAR that received an offer. The average ATAR of students in a course is usually higher. Aim above the cutoff to be safe.
Can I apply to NSW universities from the ACT?
Yes, easily. The ACT uses UAC, the same centre as NSW, so applying interstate is common and simple. Your ACT ATAR is a national rank.
Can I get in with an ATAR below the cutoff?
Sometimes. Adjustment points can lift your selection rank above your ATAR. Universities also offer enabling and transfer pathways that lead into a degree by a different route.
Where can I find the current cutoff?
On the university's own course page, or through UAC. Cutoffs change each year, so the official site is always more reliable than an old figure you find elsewhere.