WA ATAR cutoffs change by course and by year. Most degrees sit between 70 and 85. Competitive courses need 90 or more. Medicine is the toughest, usually 95 and above, with extra steps like the UCAT test and an interview. A cutoff is the lowest ATAR that got an offer last year, so treat it as a guide and confirm the current number with the university.
Key takeaways
- A cutoff is the lowest ATAR that received an offer last year, not a fixed pass mark.
- Most WA courses sit between 70 and 85.
- Competitive courses need 90+. Medicine usually needs 95+ plus extra steps.
- Cutoffs change every year with demand, so last year’s number is a guide only.
- Bonus points can lift your selection rank above your raw ATAR.
- WA has pathway options if your ATAR falls short of a course.
How WA ATAR cutoffs work
A cutoff is not a pass mark set in advance. It is the lowest ATAR, or selection rank, that still received an offer last year.
Demand sets the cutoff. If lots of strong students apply for a course, the cutoff rises. If fewer apply, it can fall. So the number moves each year.
This means the cutoff you see is a snapshot from last year. It is a good guide, but it is not a promise. Always check the current figure on the university course page.
What a cutoff really means
Students often mix up two numbers. The cutoff is the lowest offer. The median is the middle score of students who got in.
The median is usually higher than the cutoff. So if a course lists a cutoff of 80, many students who enrolled had higher ATARs than that.
The safe plan is to aim above the cutoff, not just to match it. That gives you a buffer if the cutoff rises this year.
Typical ATAR ranges by course
Here is a rough guide across WA universities. These are broad ranges, not exact cutoffs, so use them to sanity-check your goal:
- Arts, education, business and general science: about 70–80.
- Engineering, health science and nursing: often 80–90.
- Law and commerce (competitive): commonly 90+.
- Medicine and dentistry: usually 95–99+, plus a test and interview.
UWA and Curtin tend to sit at the higher end for popular courses. Murdoch, ECU and Notre Dame often have a wider range, with more entry pathways. Confirm the current number for your exact course before you rely on it.
Medicine and dentistry in WA
Medicine is the most competitive path in WA. Curtin offers a direct undergraduate medical degree for school leavers. UWA offers assured pathways into its Doctor of Medicine.
For all of them, a high ATAR is only the first hurdle. You usually also sit the UCAT test and attend an interview. A strong ATAR gets you considered, not guaranteed.
If medicine is your goal, plan early. Aim for top scaled scores in your best subjects, prepare for the UCAT, and read each university’s exact entry steps, because they differ.
Law, commerce and other competitive courses
Law and commerce at UWA and Curtin are popular, so their cutoffs run high, often 90 and above. Some are direct entry, and some use an assured pathway from another degree.
For these courses, small differences in your ATAR matter. That is where scaling and subject choice can tip the balance. It is worth understanding both early.
Getting in with a lower ATAR
A lower ATAR does not close the door. WA universities offer several pathways in.
Options include enabling and bridging courses, starting in a related degree and transferring, or using a diploma that leads into second year. Murdoch, ECU and Notre Dame are known for flexible entry.
- Enabling programs prepare you for a degree, then lead into it.
- Portfolio or experience-based entry applies to some courses.
- Transfer pathways let you move up after a strong first year.
So if your ATAR falls short of a dream course, ask the university about pathways. Many students reach the same degree by a slightly longer route.
A closer look at WA universities
WA has five main universities, and their cutoffs sit at different levels. Knowing each one helps you set a realistic target.
- UWA is a Group of Eight university and the most competitive overall. Popular courses often need 90+.
- Curtin is large and strong in engineering, health and business, with a direct medical degree. Ranges are wide.
- Murdoch offers many courses with mid-range cutoffs and known pathway options.
- Edith Cowan (ECU) is strong in nursing, education and the arts, with flexible entry.
- Notre Dame in Fremantle uses a mix of ATAR and interview or portfolio for some courses.
So the same course can have a different cutoff at each university. It is worth comparing a few before you lock in your preferences.
Early offers and conditional entry
Many WA universities now make early or conditional offers. These can arrive before your final ATAR, based on your Year 11 results or a recommendation.
An early offer can take pressure off results day. You may still need to meet a minimum ATAR or prerequisite, so read the conditions closely.
If early offers interest you, check each university’s scheme in the middle of Year 12. Applying on time is often the only catch.
Adjustment and bonus points
WA universities add adjustment points for some students. These lift your selection rank above your raw ATAR.
You might earn them for where you live, for subjects you studied, or for tough personal circumstances. So a cutoff of 85 can still be within reach with an ATAR a little below it.
Check what you qualify for early. Our selection rank calculator and bonus points calculator show how these points change your chances.
Why cutoffs change every year
Cutoffs shift for simple reasons. The number of applicants changes. The number of places changes. A course that trends one year can jump the next.
This is why you should never treat a single past cutoff as fixed. Look at the last few years if you can, and aim above the range to stay safe.
How to use cutoffs to plan
Start with the course you want, not the ATAR you expect. Find its recent cutoff. Then work backwards to the scaled scores you need.
Next, estimate your own ATAR with our WA ATAR calculator. Compare it to the cutoff. If there is a gap, you still have time to close it, and our guide to improving your WA ATAR shows how.
Common questions
What ATAR do I need for university in WA?
It depends on the course. Most WA courses sit between 70 and 85. Competitive courses need 90 or more, and medicine usually needs 95 plus a test and interview. Check the current cutoff on the university's course page.
What are the lowest-ATAR courses in WA?
General arts, some education and some business courses tend to have the lowest cutoffs, often around 70. Murdoch, ECU and Notre Dame also offer pathway and enabling programs that accept lower ranks with support.
What ATAR do you need for medicine in WA?
Medicine in WA usually needs an ATAR of 95 or above, plus the UCAT test and an interview. Curtin offers direct undergraduate entry, while UWA uses assured pathways into its Doctor of Medicine.
Do WA universities give bonus points?
Yes. WA universities add adjustment points for factors like location, subjects studied and personal circumstances. These lift your selection rank above your raw ATAR.
Is the cutoff the same as the average ATAR?
No. A cutoff is the lowest ATAR that received an offer. The average ATAR of students in a course is usually higher. Aim above the cutoff to be safe.
Can I get in with an ATAR below the cutoff?
Sometimes. Bonus points can lift your selection rank above your ATAR. WA universities also offer enabling and transfer pathways that lead into a degree by a different route.
Do cutoffs go up every year?
Not always. Cutoffs rise when demand grows and fall when it drops. They move both ways, so check the last few years and aim above the range.
Where can I find the current cutoff?
On the university's own course page, or through TISC. Cutoffs change each year, so the official site is always more reliable than an old figure you find elsewhere.
Do WA universities make early offers?
Yes. Many WA universities make early or conditional offers based on Year 11 results or a school recommendation. You may still need to meet a minimum ATAR or prerequisite, so check each scheme's conditions.