A ‘good’ ATAR in Tasmania 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%. Because many University of Tasmania courses have accessible cutoffs, a mid-range ATAR opens plenty of options here.
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.
- Many UTAS courses have accessible cutoffs, so a mid-range ATAR goes far.
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. Tasmania-specific ‘average ATARs’ are not published as clean official numbers. So be cautious about any exact Tasmanian average you see quoted online.
Is an ATAR of 80 good in Tasmania?
Yes, for most purposes. An ATAR of 80 sits comfortably above the middle. It opens a large share of University of Tasmania courses.
With 80, you can reach many arts, business, science and education degrees, and some competitive ones. For medicine you would still need a higher ATAR plus other steps, but for most courses 80 is a strong result.
Is an ATAR of 70 good in Tasmania?
An ATAR of 70 is around the national middle, so it is a solid, useful result. In Tasmania, it goes a long way.
Because many University of Tasmania courses have accessible cutoffs, an ATAR of 70 opens a wide range of options here. Adjustment points and early entry schemes can widen them further.
If your target course needs more than 70, you have clear levers to pull. Our improvement guide shows where to focus.
Is an ATAR of 90 good in Tasmania?
An ATAR of 90 is very strong. It places you in roughly the top 10% of your age group.
At 90, almost every University of Tasmania course is within reach, including the competitive ones. For medicine, 90 is a solid base, though you usually still need a higher ATAR plus an interview.
What about the Tasmanian average?
Many students search for the ‘average Tasmanian 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 TAS 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 Tasmania?
There is no clean official 'average ATAR' published per state. Nationally, the median ATAR sits around 70. Be cautious about any exact Tasmanian average you see quoted, because it is not an officially published figure.
Is an ATAR of 80 good in Tasmania?
Yes. An ATAR of 80 is comfortably above the middle and opens most University of Tasmania courses, including some competitive ones. Medicine would still need a higher ATAR plus other steps.
Is an ATAR of 70 good in Tasmania?
Yes, it is a solid result around the national middle, and it goes a long way in Tasmania. Because many University of Tasmania courses have accessible cutoffs, 70 opens a wide range of options.
Is an ATAR of 90 good in Tasmania?
Yes, very. An ATAR of 90 puts you in roughly the top 10% of your age group. Almost every University of Tasmania course is within reach, and it is a solid base for medicine.
What is a good ATAR for medicine in Tasmania?
Medicine usually needs an ATAR of 95 or above, plus an interview and other steps. 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.