ATAR for Veterinary Science in Australia

What ATAR do you need for vet science?

Direct entry to veterinary science usually needs an ATAR of about 95 or higher. And the most competitive programs sit near 99. It is one of the highest cut-offs of any degree.

Only a few universities offer veterinary science, which is part of why competition is so intense. The limited number of places keeps cut-offs high year after year.

Alongside your ATAR, most programs require specific prerequisites. And some use an interview or a questionnaire about your experience with animals.

Prerequisites and extra requirements

Biology and chemistry are the prerequisites that matter most for veterinary science. Most programs require one or both, and the degree relies on them.

Some universities also value or require experience with animals, and ask about it through a questionnaire or interview. This sits alongside your ATAR rather than replacing it.

Meeting the prerequisites matters as much as the ATAR. A student who clears the cut-off but is missing a required science can still miss the offer, so plan your subjects early.

Getting in with a lower ATAR

If your ATAR falls short of direct entry, the main alternative is the postgraduate route. You complete a science degree, then apply for a postgraduate Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

This route is judged on your university marks and prerequisites, not your ATAR. For many students, it is a reliable second path into the profession.

A rural or regional background can open a dedicated pathway at some universities, and adjustment factors also lift your selection rank toward the cut-off.

Where vet science is offered

Veterinary science is offered at only a few universities across the country, which is a large part of why cut-offs are so high. Programs vary in prerequisites and extra requirements.

You apply through your state admissions centre. And your ATAR is calculated the same way wherever you sit Year 12. Use the calculator above as a guide, then confirm the current cut-off, prerequisites and any extra requirements for each university.