If you are an international student and plan to study in Australia, you must be aware of its grading system as it is different from most other countries. The grading system in some countries depends solely on the merits of your score in examinations and what is studied from each subject. However, in Australia, the system differs significantly. Therefore, we’re sharing an overview of the Australian grading system from school to university.
That said, even the grading system across Australia differs. Being a vast country, every state has its own system of grading. The grading systems are altered to evaluate the different types of levels, courses and programmes like honour’s degrees and vocational courses. So, if you are planning to do your next course in another state or from a different university in Australia, take a look at the following tables.
Grading scale for most universities
If you wish to study abroad in Australia in a university, you may enquire about the grading system of that particular university. The grading system may differ based on the state you select and the university.
The grading system applicable to undergraduate and postgraduate courses
| 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 |
The grading system applicable to an honour’s degree
| 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 |
The grading system applicable to vocational and trade courses
The vocational courses in Australia entail a binary system of grading, wherein you either pass by achieving the expected competency level or fail.
| Grade | Grade Description | Grade Scale % |
| C/S | Competent / Satisfactory | 100% |
| NYC/NS | Not Yet Competent/ Not Yet Satisfactory | 0 |
Grading scale for education institutes across the Australian states
Every university in any Australian state has its own set of unique grading systems due to its diversity and requirements. Therefore, it’s essential to understand what each state holds for you, should you choose to study abroad in Australia.
Australian Capital Territory
The world-class universities included with the following grading system are:
- University of Canberra
- Australian National University
- Charles Sturt University
- UNSW Canberra
- Australian Catholic University
| 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
The world-class universities included with the following grading system are:
- University of New South Wales
- University of Sydney
- University of Newcastle
- Macquarie University
- La Trobe University
| Grade | Grade description | Grade scale % |
| HD | High Distinction | 100 – 85 |
| D | Distinction | 84 – 70 |
| C | Credit | 69 – 50 |
| P | Pass | 49 – 25 |
| F | Fail | 24 – 0 |
Northern Territory
The only university in Northern Territory is the Charles Darwin University, and its grading system involves:
| Grade | Grade Description | Grade Scale % |
| HD | High Distinction | 100-85 |
| D | Distinction | 85-75 |
| C | Credit | 74-65 |
| P | Pass | 64-50 |
| PC | Pass Conceded | 49-44 |
| PU | Pass Ungraded | 0 |
| F | Fail | 24-0 |
Queensland
The world-class universities included with the following grading system are:
- The University of Queensland
- Bond University
- Griffith University
- James Cook University
| Grade | Grade description | Grade scale % |
| HD | High Distinction | 7 |
| D | Distinction | 6 – 6.99 |
| C | Credit | 5 – 5.99 |
| P | Pass | 4 – 4.99 |
| MF | Marginal Fail | 3 – 3.99 |
| F | Fail | 2 – 2.99 |
| LF | Fail | 1 – 0.99 |
South Australia
The world-class universities included with the following grading system are:
- The University of South Australia
- University of Adelaide
- Torrens University
| Grade | Grade Name | 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 | 0 – 39 |
Tasmania
The only university in Tasmania is the University of Tasmania, and its grading system involves:
| Grade | Grade description | Grade scale % |
| HD | High Distinction | 7 |
| D | Distinction | 6-6.99 |
| C | Credit | 5-5.99 |
| P | Pass | 4-4.99 |
| F | Fail | 3.99-0 |
Victoria
The world-class universities included with the following grading system are:
- Monash University
- RMIT University
- Deakin University
- Swinburne University
- University of Melbourne
- Victoria University
| Code | Grade | Mark |
| HD | High Distinction | 80-100 |
| D | Distinction | 70-79 |
| C | Credit | 60-69 |
| P | Pass | 50-59 |
| N | Fail | 0-49 |
Primary, Secondary, and Senior Secondary Grades in Australian schools
The schooling system in Australia comprises primary, secondary and senior secondary levels. It also has a grading system and it varies between states and territories.
| Grade | Grade Description | Percentage |
| A | Excellent | 85% and above |
| B | Good | 70% to 84% |
| C | Satisfactory | 51% to 69% |
| D | Limited | 31% to 50% |
| E | Very Low | 26% to 30% |
| F | Fail | Below 25% |
While you plan to study in Australia, we recommend you research your favourite universities and understand their grading systems. You can also check the university website to check for any upgrades in the grading system. You may consult with our expert counsellors for further support and assistance.
Globally recognised qualifications and unparalleled quality assurance
Getting a degree from an Australian education institute can open global opportunities for you. To study abroad in Australia, you will get a chance to boost your career prospects as graduates from Australia are highly preferred employees for any workplace. In most fields, an Australian qualification is recognised by employers worldwide as the Australian courses are regularly updated with input from industry leaders. This is to ensure that your skills and knowledge gained that are currently required in specific domains. That said, the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) allows students to easily move through the education system while they study in Australia.
The Australian education system sets the standard for excellence in education internationally. The education sector is based on a network of world-class education providers, state-of-the-art facilities, outstanding lecturers and student support services. The education system is also designed for international students and has been refined over the years to ensure quality control and government accreditation.
Under Australian law, universities have to be accredited by regulators to ensure your rights are protected. For instance, all higher education providers in Australia have to complete an accreditation process to make sure that they deliver the highest standard of teaching and learning to local and international students. These education providers also undergo formal quality assurance audits periodically.
Australians are friendly and welcoming people with an open and dynamic approach to life. At the same time, they also respect the rights and freedom of people from different origins and backgrounds. Australia has a very high standard of living, and this includes the quality of education, healthcare, infrastructure, transport, and government services. As an international student, you will work closely with classmates, instructors, researchers and other faculties. You will also get a chance to receive hands-on industry experience through placements and internships. This combination of shared learning, teamwork and industrial emphasis will support and boost your career and postgraduate study prospects.