A good ATAR in QLD depends on the course you want, but the median ATAR is around 70. An ATAR of 80 or above sits comfortably above average and opens most courses at the University of Queensland, QUT and other Queensland universities. An ATAR of 90 or above is competitive for in-demand degrees.
Key takeaways
- The median ATAR is around 70, so 70 is genuinely middle of the pack.
- An ATAR of 80+ sits well above average and opens most Queensland courses.
- An ATAR of 90+ is competitive for in-demand degrees.
- A “good” ATAR is really the one that gets you into your course.
- The ATAR is a rank, so it depends on how everyone else did.
- Adjustment factors and pathways can lower the ATAR you actually need.
Why a good ATAR depends on your goal
The ATAR is a rank, so “good” is relative. An ATAR that is perfect for one course may fall short for another. The better question is not “what is a good ATAR”, but “what ATAR do I need for the course I want”.
That said, clear benchmarks exist, based on where each ATAR sits in the age group and on the cutoffs Queensland universities have published for years.
What is the average ATAR in QLD?
Among students who receive an ATAR, the median sits around 70. Not everyone in Year 12 gets an ATAR, because some take vocational paths that do not produce one, so 70 is the middle of the university-bound group.
So an ATAR of 70 is genuinely average, not a weak result. Anything above it puts you in the stronger half of that group.
What each ATAR band opens in QLD
As a broad guide:
- 60–70: A range of courses, especially with pathways and at universities with lower cutoffs.
- 70–80: Most general degrees, including many business, arts and science courses.
- 80–90: Competitive for popular degrees, and comfortable for the majority of courses.
- 90–95: In range for in-demand degrees at UQ, QUT and Griffith.
- 95–99.95: The level for the most competitive courses, like medicine and law.
Is an ATAR of 80 good in QLD?
Yes. An ATAR of 80 puts you in roughly the top 20% of your age group. It sits well above the median and opens most courses across Queensland universities.
It is a strong, competitive result. Only the most in-demand degrees sit out of its reach, and even then, adjustment factors can help close the gap.
Match your ATAR to a course
Rather than chasing a round number, work backwards from the course you want. Look up its cutoff, then aim a little above it to be safe.
Many Queensland degrees sit in the 70s. Competitive courses need 90 or more. See the full picture in QLD ATAR cutoffs.
Adjustment factors can lower what you need
The ATAR you need is not always the raw cutoff. Many Queensland universities add adjustment factors to your rank for things like your location, subjects, or difficulty during Year 12.
These lift your selection rank above your ATAR for that course. If your ATAR is close to a cutoff, they can make the difference. See how selection rank works.
Estimate your QLD ATAR
The best way to set a realistic goal is to see where your current results land. Our QLD ATAR calculator estimates your ATAR from your subject results, using scaling.
Compare that estimate with your course cutoff, and you have a clear, concrete target for the rest of the year.
Common questions
What is the average ATAR in QLD?
Among students who receive an ATAR, the median is around 70. Because some Year 12 students take paths that do not produce an ATAR, 70 represents the middle of the university-bound group.
Is an ATAR of 80 good in QLD?
Yes. An ATAR of 80 puts you in roughly the top 20% and opens most courses at Queensland universities. It sits well above the median and is a strong, competitive result.
What ATAR puts me in the top 20%?
An ATAR of 80.00 means you finished ahead of about 80% of your age group, which places you in the top 20%. An ATAR of 90 places you in the top 10%.
Why is the median ATAR around 70?
Because not everyone in Year 12 receives an ATAR. Some students take vocational paths that do not produce one, so the median of those who do get an ATAR sits around 70 rather than 50.