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Grading System in Australia: Everything You Need to Know About Australian University Grading Scale

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Sumeet Jain
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One of the peculiarities of studying abroad is the different grading system across countries. To talk of Australia, this popular study destination also abides by its own GPA scale. International students may initially find the GPA scale Australia difficult to understand. Although most Australian universities use a standard grading system, but state or university-wise variations do occur. The grading system in Australia is also modified to assess various courses and levels. For example, the Australia GPA scale differs for graduate and postgraduate and vocational courses.

It's crucial to understand the specifics of the grading system if you're considering applying to any Australian university. In this blog, we will discuss the distinct grading system in Australia and the Australia GPA scale in detail.

Table of Contents

Australian University Grading System

Australia's grading scheme varies from region to region. Because of the sheer size of the continent, every one of its divisions has a distinct grading system. The Australia GPA system must be understood if you aspire to do your degree in an Australian university.

Basic Australia Grading Scale

Most Australian universities use the same broad grading system. It's vital to keep in mind that different universities' grading systems could vary a bit from one another. Undergraduate and graduate programs can both use the following university GPA conversion Australia. 

Following is a table showcasing the grading system in Australia University for UG & PG courses:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Percentage

Australia GPA Scale

GPA Grade 

HD

High Distinction

83-100

7

A+

D

Distinction

73-82.99

6-6.99

A

C

Credit

63-72.99

5-5.99

B

P

Pass

50-62.99

4-4.99

C

N

Fail

0-49.99

0-3.99

F

Read: Guide to Studying in Australia

Honors Degree Grading Scale

The grades could be different if you choose to pursue an honors degree. An extra year of study is required for an honors degree compared to a regular undergrad degree. The university grading scale Australia for an honors degree is as follows:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Percentage

H1

First Class Honors

80-100

H2A

Second Class Honors-A Division

74-79

H2B

Second Class Honors-B Division

70-74

H3

Third Class Honors

65-69

P

Pass

50-64

N

Fail 

0-49

Vocational Course Grading Scale

The Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Certificates are all part of Australia's vocational education system. Competency levels are the foundation of vocational courses. The grades offered by the Vocational Education Institutes are displayed in the table below:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Percentage

NYC

Fail (Not Yet Competent)

0

C

Pass (Competent)

100

Read: Masters in Australia 

Grading System in Australia as per GPA, Credits, and Credit Hours

The Australian school system heavily relies on ATAR or Australian Territory Admission Ranks results. An ATAR score of 91 indicates that the student outperformed 91% of their peers in the same discipline.

GPAs are not frequently utilized in Australian universities; however, they are occasionally used for a few specific degrees.

The sum of all grade points must be multiplied by the course unit values to obtain the GPA score, which must then be divided by the overall number of credit points.

The formula for calculation of GPA is as follows:

*GPA = Sum of (Grade Point × Credit Points) ÷ Sum of (Credit Points) *

An Australian GPA is often calculated using the following formula: 

*(Grade Points) + (Course Unit Values) x (Total Amount of Credit Points) * 

Read: Guide to Australia Student Visa

Australian University Grading Scale for Different Places

There are a few top-notch universities in Australia. They use their own, special grading scale because of their heterogeneity and requirements. It's crucial to realize that every Australian institution, institute, or state may have a distinct grading scheme.

  • New South Wales

Australia's New South Wales region is a popular place to study. The University of New South Wales, University of Newcastle, University of Sydney, and Macquarie University are just a few of the illustrious educational institutions that are located here.

The grading system used by New South Wales educational institutions is presented in the table below:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Percentage

HD

High Distinction

85-100

D

Distinction 

75-84

CR

Credit

65-74

P or PW

Pass

50-64

F

Fail 

0-49

  • Australian Capital Province

The notable universities in the capital territory include the University of Canberra, Australian National University, Charles Sturt University, UNSW Canberra, and Australian Catholic University. The grading system used by these educational institutions is presented in the table below:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Percentage

A

Very High Standard of Achievement

85-100

B

High Standard of Achievement

70-84

C

Acceptable Standard of Achievement

50-69

D

Limited Standard of Achievement

25-49

Very Little Performance

0-24

  • Victoria

Victoria is regarded as having a world-class educational system. Monash University, Deakin University, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Melbourne, and La Trobe University are among nine institutions.

The grading system used by these educational institutions is presented in the table below:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Percentage

HD

High Distinction

80-100

D

Distinction

70-79

C

Credit

60-69

P

Pass

50-59

N

Fail

0-49

  • Northern Province

This lovely Australian state, which possesses Darwin as its capital, is home to Charles Darwin University and Flinders University. The grading system used by these educational institutions is presented in the table below:

Australian Grade

Scale 1

Scale 2

A

5

17-20

B

4-4.9

14-16

C

3-3.9

11-13

D

2-2.9

8-10

E

1-1.9

0-7

  • Queensland

Griffith University and the University of Queensland are two of Queensland's top-ranked universities worldwide along with Bond University, and James Cook University. The grading system used by these educational institutions is presented in the table below:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Grade Scale Percentage

HD

High Distinction

7

D

Distinction

6-6.99

CR

Credit

5-5.99

P

Pass

4-4.99

F

Fail

1-3.99

  • Southern Province

The University of Adelaide, Carnegie Mellon University, Flinders University, and the University of South Australia are just a few of the elite universities in Australia that are located in the state of South Australia. The grading system used by these educational institutions is presented in the table below:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Grade Scale

HD

High Distinction

85-100

D

Distinction

75-84

C

Credit

65-74

P1

Pass Level 1

55-64

P2

Pass Level 2

50-54

F1

Fail Level 1

40-49

F2

Fail Level 2

30-39

  • Tasmania

There is only one university, the University of Tasmania, located in the island state of Tasmania. The grading system used by these educational institutions is presented in the table below:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Grade Scale

EA

Excellent Achievement

4

HA

High Achievement

3.5-3.99

CA

Commendable Achievement

3-3.49

SA

Satisfactory Achievement

2.5-2.99

PA

Preliminary Achievement

2-2.49

  • Western Province

There are various universities in the state of Western Australia. Among them are Murdoch University, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, and the University of Western Australia. The grading system used by these educational institutions is presented in the table below:

Australian Grade

Grade Description

Grade Scale

HD/ A

High Distinction/ Excellent Achievement

80-100

B

High Achievement

70-79

C

Sound Achievement 

60-69

D

Limited Achievement

50-59

E

Fail 

0-49

Read: Cost of Studying MBA in Australia

Before creating your study schedule, learning about the grading policies of your preferred colleges is a must. Additionally, look at the university website for any further updates or new requirements. For further queries, subscribe to Yocket Premium and receive guidance from our seasoned team of counselors.

Also Read

Study in Australia After 12th

Bachelors in Australia

BBA in Australia

UK vs Australia 

GMAT Score for MBA in Australia 

MBA in Australia

 

Frequently Asked Questions about GPA Scale Australia

What is the grading system in Australia?

What scores do Australian colleges consider for applicants from abroad?

Why is the grade scale different in different territories?

What is considered a good GPA in Australia?

What Is Australia's Highest GPA?

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