A ‘good’ ATAR in WA 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 UWA, Curtin and other WA universities, 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. WA-specific ‘average ATARs’ are not published as clean official numbers. So be cautious about any exact WA average you see quoted online.
Is an ATAR of 80 good in WA?
Yes, for most purposes. An ATAR of 80 sits comfortably above the middle. It opens a large share of courses at WA universities.
With 80, you can reach many arts, business, science and education degrees. It may not stretch to the most competitive courses like medicine, but for the majority of degrees it is a strong result.
Is an ATAR of 90 good in WA?
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 like law and commerce. For medicine, 90 is a solid base, though you usually still need a higher ATAR plus a test and interview.
What about the WA average?
Many students search for the ‘average WA 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.
Is an ATAR of 70 good in WA?
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 Murdoch, ECU and Notre Dame. 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.
Is an ATAR of 95 good in WA?
An ATAR of 95 is excellent. It places you in roughly the top 5% of your age group.
At 95, almost every course is within reach, including the most competitive ones. For medicine it is a strong position, though you usually still need the UCAT test and an interview.
Good ATAR vs good selection rank
Your ATAR is not always the number a university uses. Many add bonus points to create a selection rank.
So a ‘good enough’ ATAR for a course might be a little below its cutoff, once your bonus points apply. This is why it pays to check what adjustments you qualify for. Our selection rank calculator shows the effect.
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 WA cutoffs guide gives realistic ranges for popular courses, so you can set a target that fits your goal.
Check where you stand
The best step is to estimate your own ATAR and compare it to your course cutoff. Try our WA ATAR calculator with your expected scores.
If there is a gap, you have time to plan. Understanding scaling and choosing subjects you can score well in are the two biggest levers, and our improvement guide covers both.
Common questions
What is the average ATAR in WA?
There is no clean official 'average ATAR' published per state. Nationally, the median ATAR sits around 70. Be cautious about any exact WA average you see quoted, because it is not an officially published figure.
Is an ATAR of 80 good in WA?
Yes. An ATAR of 80 is comfortably above the middle and opens most courses at WA universities, though not the most competitive ones like medicine.
Is an ATAR of 90 good in WA?
Yes, very. An ATAR of 90 puts you in roughly the top 10% of your age group. It reaches competitive courses like law and commerce, and gives a solid base for medicine.
What ATAR is in the top 20%?
Roughly, an ATAR around 80 places you near the top 20% of your age group nationally. An ATAR of 90 is roughly the top 10%.
What is a good ATAR for medicine in WA?
Medicine usually needs an ATAR of 95 or above, plus the UCAT test and an 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.
Is an ATAR of 70 good in WA?
Yes, it is a solid result around the national middle. It opens a good range of courses, especially at Murdoch, ECU and Notre Dame, and bonus points or pathways can widen your options further.