OP/ATAR Explained

An Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) allows tertiary admissions centres to compare students from across Australia when they apply for tertiary study. The ATAR is a number between 0 and 99.95, in increments of 0.05. ATARs below 30 are not reported.

Unit 1 and 2 subjects will not contribute towards an ATAR, they are not suitable to meet the Subject Prerequisites.

To meet subject prerequisites, applicants will need to achieve a grade of C or higher in the applicable Unit 3 and 4 subjects.

The below table reflects the comparability of current Queensland Year 12 OP subjects to the new ATAR (general) subjects which will apply in the new system.

The Queensland tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) has been assigned the responsibility to calculate the ATAR and issue results to Queensland year 12 students.

QTAC will calculate your ATAR and you will be assigned a separate selection rank for your VET qualification. For most courses, your application to study at JCU will be assessed for entry on whichever rank is higher.

JCU will consider and accept AQF VET qualifications as a basis of tertiary admission.  JCU allocates the following selection ranks to completed qualifications (either competency based or with a GPA of 4.0 for graded qualifications.

The assigned election rank can change for graded qualifications depending on your GPA, or how many subjects completed as part of an incomplete Diploma or Advanced Diploma.

JCU has various pathway options available for students who may not have the higher enough ATAR or selection rank or who may not met the required subject pre-requisites for entry into their JCU undergraduate course.

Although Non-AQF Performing Arts qualifications (AMEB music awards or Trinity College qualifications) do not contribute toward your ATAR, JCU will consider these qualifications in their own right as basis of admission to our undergraduate courses.

Particular completed Performing Arts qualifications, at a minimum of seventh grade, will be assigned a selection rank which can be used to gain entry into JCU undergraduate courses.

Students with a complete IB Diploma will receive a selection rank from QTAC that can be used to gain entry.

Incomplete IB qualifications and Career-related Program will not receive a selection rank. Students with an incomplete IB or a Career-related Program will need to gain entry through another JCU pathway