ATARs and bonus points

The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is derived from the university aggregate and is an indicator of how well you have performed compared to other students. It is a number between 0 and 99.95. This ranking is what you will compete with to gain entry into a university program.

You will only receive an ATAR if you qualify for SACE (South Australian Certificate of Education), IB (International Baccalaureate) or a recognised interstate/overseas equivalent study. For SACE, you must have completed at least 80 credits of study at Stage 2 of which 60 credits must be composed of 20 credit TAS (Tertiary Admissions Subjects). If you are concerned about any of your results, please contact the SACE Board of SA on (08) 8373 0599 or 1800 652 230.

Unfortunately, last year’s ATAR cut-offs can be used only as a guide. ATAR cut-offs can change from year to year. However, UniSA Preferred can give you more confidence in your SATAC application for a UniSA program. In previous years, students and parents have usually had to wait until the mid-January to learn if their ATAR score from Year 12 will be high enough to gain entry into the program of their choice. As a result of this, UniSA has recently endorsed UniSA Preferred, a guaranteed entry scheme for Year 12 students and those with TAFE qualifications.

UniSA Preferred offers students the reassurance of knowing that they have gained a place in their program of choice prior to the first round offers.
If the applicant gains an ATAR score equal to or greater than the published UniSA Preferred score, meets the relevant degree program prerequisites and lists the program as their first preference, they will be guaranteed a place in their selected program.

Offers and acceptance though UniSA Preferred are exactly the same as in previous years. Provided the above conditions are met, applicants will receive their SATAC offer in mid-January to confirm their UniSA Preferred place. At that point, they simply accept their offer by following the instructions provided.

Visit the UniSA Preferred website for more information.

What happens if an applicant doesn’t meet the UniSA Preferred score?

If an applicant doesn’t meet the UniSA Preferred score, there is no need to worry. Their SATAC application will still be assessed based on the competitiveness of their results. That is, the traditional SATAC process will still be followed and every application will be assessed against the entry criteria.

No. You might still be offered a place. ATAR cut-offs can change from year to year. Sometimes an ATAR cut-off can go down from the previous year. Remember you can only use last year’s ATAR cut-off as a guide.

No. Last year's ATAR cut-offs can be used only as a guide. The SATAC system will offer you the highest preference for which your ATAR and eligibility qualifies you. It might be your first preference or any of your six preferences. If you don’t have the ATAR for you first preference, the SATAC system will then look to offer you your second preference, then your third and so on. Your first preference should be the program you most want to enrol in.

UniSA has a two-tiered bonus point scheme called UniSA Advantage. It awards students with Achievement and Aspire bonus points. Achievement bonus points are available to all Year 12 students and rewards your achievement. These bonus points are awarded for subjects you have successfully studied, relevant to the program you wish to enrol in at UniSA.

Therefore, it is important to note that Achievement bonus points are awarded by program. For example, the bonus points applicable to the Bachelor of Pharmacy will be different to those awarded to the Bachelor of Commerce. Bonus points will be automatically added to your university aggregate when you apply to SATAC for UniSA programs only. You do not need to submit an application. See what subject bonus points you may be eligible for.

Aspire bonus points depend on the school you attend or your personal circumstances. If you are unsure whether your school is recognised, or if you need to submit an application form, check with your Year 12 Coordinator, Career Counsellor. Alternatively, you can contact UniSA Future Student Enquiries on 1300 UNINOW or email study@unisa.edu.au. For more information on bonus points go to the UniSA Advantage Bonus Points web page.

No, your ATAR on your Tertiary Entrance Statement does not include your bonus points. Your bonus points will be added to your University Aggregate and a new, higher ATAR will be calculated. This new ATAR will be used for admissions to UniSA programs. To find out your recalculated ATAR contact Future Student Enquiries on 1300 UNINOW or on (08) 8302 2376 once you have received your results.

Download the SATAC Guide and view page 14 for a description on how your university aggregate is calculated. (Download Adobe Acrobat)