Meridean Overseas
Updated On 25 September 2023 & Read Time 7 minutes
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Australia has long been a popular destination for international students seeking a world-class education. With its diverse culture, high-quality institutions, and stunning landscapes, it's no wonder that thousands of students from around the world choose Australia as their academic home.
One of the major things that international students must learn about while planning to study in Australia is Australian grading system. Understanding grading system in Australian universities can be a bit challenging for you as an international student, considering that you have studied in a completely different education system with a different grading system.
So, if you are also planning to study in Australia and are keen about knowing the grading system in universities over there, then this blog is for you. In this blog, we will explore Australian grading system, helping international students decode the complexities and excel in their academic endeavours.
Table of Contents
Before delving into the academic grading in Australia, firstly, let’s understand a little about the education system in Australia. After high school, you can pursue further education or vocational education and training, which together make up tertiary education.
The Australian grading system typically employs a diverse range of grading scales depending on the institution and course. However, a common grading system in Australian universities is as follows:
Grade |
Grade description |
Grade scale % |
GPA |
HD |
High Distinction |
100 - 85 |
A+ |
D |
Distinction |
84 - 75 |
A |
C |
Credit |
74 - 65 |
B |
P |
Pass |
64 - 50 |
C |
F |
Fail |
49 and below |
F |
Grade |
Grade description |
Grade scale % |
H1 |
First Class Honours |
100 - 80 |
H2A |
Second Class Honours |
79 - 75 |
H2B |
Second Class Honours |
74 - 70 |
H3 |
Third Class Honours |
69 - 65 |
P |
Pass |
64 - 50 |
N |
Fail |
49 and below |
Grade |
Grade description |
Grade scale % |
C/S |
Competent/Satisfactory |
100% |
NYC/NS |
Not Yet Competent/ Not Yet Satisfactory |
0 |
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Now, let’s understand the Australian university grading system in different territories:
The notable universities in the capital territory include the University of Canberra, Australian National University, Charles Sturt University, UNSW Canberra, and Australian Catholic University. Here is the grading structure followed by the universities in the Australian capital Territory:
Grade |
Grade description |
Grade scale % |
A |
Extremely High Standard of Achievement |
100 - 85 |
B |
High Standard of Achievement |
84 - 70 |
C |
Acceptable Standard of Achievement |
69 - 50 |
D |
Limited Standard of Achievement |
49 - 25 |
E |
Very Limited Performance |
24 - 0 |
New South Wales is a popular location for international students in Australia. Some esteemed universities here include Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Sydney, and the University of Newcastle. The table below shows the grading scheme used in New South Wales educational institutions:
Grade |
Grade description |
Grade scale % |
A |
High Distinction |
100 - 85 |
B |
Distinction |
84 - 70 |
C |
Credit |
69 - 50 |
D |
Pass |
49 - 25 |
E |
Fail |
24 - 0 |
With Melbourne as its capital, this productive Australian state is home to some of the greatest public and private universities in the nation, including Monash University, RMIT, Swinburne University, Deakin University, University of Melbourne, Victoria University, and others.
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 |
Charles Darwin University and Flinders University are located in this magnificent state of Australia, which has Darwin as its capital. The table below shows the grading scheme various educational institutions employ:
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 |
The second-largest state in Australia, Queensland takes pleasure in being home to some of the world's most esteemed universities, including James Cook University, Griffith University, Bond University, and the University of Queensland. The table below explains the grading system adopted by the educational institutions in Queensland:
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 Australia comprises the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, and Torrens University. The institution in South Australia uses the following grading system:
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 |
The University of Western Australia (UWA), Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, and the University of Notre Dame, Perth, are some of Western Australia's best universities. The table below explains the grading system adopted in Western Australia:
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 |
Tasmania, an island state, is home to only one university, the University of Tasmania. Here is the grading system adopted by the university in Tasmania:
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 |
Q: How much is a good grade point average in Australia?
A: In Australia, universities value a score of 6 or 7. Students with GPAs at that level can be hired by employers. If your GPA is 6, you can receive a distinction for the entire course. On the other hand, a grade point average of 7 indicates that you successfully completed the course.
Q: What are distinction grades in GPA in Australia?
A: When you achieve a GPA of at least 3.5 for a four-grade point average and at least 6 for a seven-grade point average, you will receive distinction grades. You can receive a High Distinction if your GPA is 7 and 4 or a Distinction if it is anything less than 7 and 4 but more than a 3.5 and 6 GPA, depending on your school and grades.
Q: How Much is Australia's Highest GPA?
A: The Australian GPA scale ranges from 0 to 7, with 7 being the highest. The term "GPA" refers to your cumulative grade point average (which is based on a seven-point academic grading scale).
Q: Why is the grade scale different in different territories?
A: The grading scale in different territories of Australia varies due to differences in educational policies and systems across states and territories. Each jurisdiction has some degree of autonomy in setting its education standards and grading systems, leading to variations in the grading scales used.
Q: What scores do Australian colleges consider for applicants from abroad?
A: Australian colleges consider various factors for international applicants, including high school or equivalent academic performance, English language proficiency test scores (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL), and, in some cases, standardised test scores relevant to the chosen course. Requirements can vary by institution and program. However, in general, Australian universities demand 60%-70% overall or maybe higher than the norm.
The Australian university grading system, though diverse, is designed to be transparent and fair. International students who take the time to understand it, seek support when needed, and adapt to the new learning environment can thrive academically in Australia. By mastering the grading system, international students can focus on what truly matters - gaining knowledge and experiences that will shape their future careers.
So, are you also planning to study in Australia? If yes, then we encourage you to have a word with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). If you are unable to travel to our offices, we offer online counselling services via our website. Our dedicated counsellors will provide you with the best guidance regarding your application to study in Australia. Apart from this, our expert counsellors will also provide assistance in the visa process for your successful study abroad journey. Don't hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or call us at 1800-1230-00011.
Contact MOEC Experts for Study Abroad Guidance!
Contact MOEC Experts for Study Abroad Guidance!