A ‘good’ ATAR in the ACT depends on your course goal. Nationally, the median ATAR sits around 70. An ATAR of 80 is comfortably above the middle. An ATAR of 90 is roughly the top 10%, and 99 is about the top 1%. For most courses at ANU and the University of Canberra, aiming above your course’s cutoff matters more than any single ‘good’ number.
Key takeaways
- There is no universal good ATAR. It depends on your course goal.
- The national median ATAR sits around 70.
- 80 is comfortably above the middle. 90 is roughly the top 10%.
- 99 is about the top 1% of the age group.
- For entry, your course cutoff matters more than a round number.
A good ATAR depends on your goal
The honest answer is that a good ATAR is the one your course needs. There is no magic number that is ‘good’ for everyone.
For a course with a cutoff of 70, an ATAR of 72 is good. For medicine, even 95 may not be enough on its own. Same number, very different meaning.
So work backwards from the course you want. Find its recent cutoff, then aim comfortably above it. That gives you a buffer for year-to-year change.
What the ATAR numbers actually mean
Because the ATAR is a rank, the numbers map to your place in the age group. Here is a simple guide:
- 70 is around the middle of ATAR recipients nationally.
- 80 means you are comfortably above the middle.
- 90 puts you in roughly the top 10%.
- 99 is about the top 1%.
These are national reference points. ACT-specific ‘average ATARs’ are not published as clean official numbers. So be cautious about any exact ACT average you see quoted online.
Is an ATAR of 80 good in the ACT?
Yes, for most purposes. An ATAR of 80 sits comfortably above the middle. It opens a large share of courses at ACT universities.
With 80, you can reach many arts, business, science and education degrees. It may not stretch to the most competitive courses like medicine or some ANU degrees, but for the majority of courses it is a strong result.
Is an ATAR of 90 good in the ACT?
An ATAR of 90 is very strong. It places you in roughly the top 10% of your age group.
At 90, most courses are within reach, including competitive ones at ANU. For medicine, 90 is a solid base, though you usually still need a higher ATAR plus a test and interview.
Is an ATAR of 70 good in the ACT?
An ATAR of 70 is around the national middle, so it is a solid, useful result. It is not the top, and that is fine.
With 70, you can reach a good range of courses, especially at the University of Canberra and interstate. Bonus points and pathways can widen your options further.
If your target course needs more than 70, you have clear levers to pull. Our improvement guide shows where to focus.
What about the ACT average?
Many students search for the ‘average ACT ATAR’. The key thing to know is that clean, official state averages are not published.
What we do know is the national picture. The median ATAR sits around 70. This is because the ATAR ranks students against their whole age group, including those who do not sit an ATAR pathway. That is why the median lands where it does.
A good ATAR for your course
The most useful way to judge ‘good’ is against your target course. A good ATAR for nursing is different from a good ATAR for engineering.
So look up the cutoff for the course you want. Our ACT cutoffs guide gives realistic ranges for popular courses, so you can set a target that fits your goal.
Common questions
What is the average ATAR in the ACT?
There is no clean official 'average ATAR' published per state. Nationally, the median ATAR sits around 70. Be cautious about any exact ACT average you see quoted, because it is not an officially published figure.
Is an ATAR of 80 good in the ACT?
Yes. An ATAR of 80 is comfortably above the middle and opens most courses at ACT universities, though not the most competitive ones like medicine or some ANU degrees.
Is an ATAR of 90 good in the ACT?
Yes, very. An ATAR of 90 puts you in roughly the top 10% of your age group. It reaches competitive courses at ANU, and gives a solid base for medicine.
Is an ATAR of 70 good in the ACT?
Yes, it is a solid result around the national middle. It opens a good range of courses, especially at the University of Canberra and interstate, and bonus points or pathways can widen your options.
What is a good ATAR for medicine in the ACT?
Medicine usually needs an ATAR of 95 or above, plus a test and interview. So a 'good' ATAR for medicine is one that clears that high bar with room to spare.
Why is the median ATAR around 70?
The ATAR ranks students against their whole age group, including those who do not sit an ATAR pathway. That cohort effect is why the median among ATAR recipients sits around 70 nationally.
Is a good ATAR the same for every course?
No. A good ATAR is one that clears your course's cutoff with a buffer. That number is different for nursing, engineering, law and medicine, so judge it against your goal.