ATAR Release Day: What Your ATAR Means, What to Do Next, and Where to Get Help
Today is a big milestone for Queensland Year 12 students – it’s ATAR Release Day. Whether you’re feeling excited, relieved, nervous, or unsure, this moment marks the completion of a huge chapter in your education journey. No matter the outcome, you should be proud of everything you’ve achieved to get here.
If you haven’t already accessed your ATAR, you can sign-up or log in here: atar.qtac.edu.au/sessions/signin
What You’ll See in Your ATAR Portal Today
When you log into the ATAR Portal, you will only ever see your raw ATAR – and only if you are ATAR eligible. Your raw ATAR is your position compared to other Queensland students and is calculated using your scaled subject results, your best five eligible subject inputs, and whether your overall subject pattern meets eligibility requirements.
It’s important to understand that your ATAR is not the same as your final selection rank for university entry.
Any adjustments – including subject bonuses, Educational Access Schemes (EAS), VET used as a separate rank, or other institutional adjustments – will not appear in your ATAR Portal. These only appear in your QTAC Application (if you applied) and are only used by individual institutions when assessing you for an offer.
If you want to know:
- Whether you received adjustments
- What your selection rank is, or
- How your application is being assessed.
👉 You’ll need to contact QTAC directly to discuss this. As this is our busiest time of year, wait times may be a little longer than usual. You can reach us by calling us on 1300 467 822, or submit an enquiry via our online contact form: qtac.edu.au/contact
Why You Might Not Be Able to See Your ATAR
If you can’t see your ATAR when you log in, it’s usually due to a mismatch between your ATAR login details and your QCAA enrolment. Common reasons include:
- Your name or date of birth doesn’t exactly match your QCAA enrolment
- You used a nickname instead of your full legal name
- You entered an anglicised version of your name instead of your official enrolment name
- You’ve had a recent surname change that doesn’t match your original enrolment
- Your subject results don’t meet ATAR eligibility requirements.
If your portal shows “ATAR Ineligible”, this usually means your subject pattern didn’t meet eligibility rules, or you didn’t achieve a minimum C grade in English (or an accepted equivalent).
If this happens, you should log into your QCAA Student Account to review your results and eligibility and speak with your school if something doesn’t look right. If everything appears correct and you believe it’s a personal details issue, you should contact QTAC for help resolving the mismatch.
How VET Qualifications Work With ATAR
VET qualifications at Certificate III level or higher can sometimes be included as one of the five inputs in your ATAR calculation, provided they are completed and correctly recorded by QCAA. Not all VET courses qualify, and lower-level certificates (Certificate I/II) do not contribute to your ATAR. Even if your VET qualification isn’t included in your ATAR, it can still be used as a stand-alone pathway for tertiary entry.
This is why your raw ATAR alone does not always reflect your full range of pathway options, and why your QTAC Application and selection rank matter just as much as your ATAR.
What Happens Next If You’ve Applied Through QTAC
If you plan to go to university and have already applied (or are about to apply), your application will be assessed using your selection rank, not just your raw ATAR. That selection rank may include things like:
- Subject adjustments
- Equity schemes (EAS)
- Completed VET results
- Institution-specific bonus adjustments.
This means your final rank used for offers may be higher than your ATAR.
It’s important to remember that you must submit a QTAC application to be considered for offers. Your ATAR Portal and QTAC Application are two separate systems, and offers are released in QTAC Offer Rounds, whereas your ATAR is released separately. Visit our QTAC Key Dates page for more information on upcoming offer rounds.
If Your ATAR Was Lower Than You Hoped
It’s completely normal to feel disappointed if your result wasn’t what you expected. But it’s important to know that an ATAR is not the only pathway into university. Many students successfully enter through diploma and VET pathways, bridging programs, alternative entry schemes, later offer rounds, or by starting at a different institution or through a different course and transferring later.
Your ATAR is one snapshot, not a permanent label on your future.
Ordering an Official ATAR Certificate
If you need a verified copy of your ATAR for interstate applications, overseas study, scholarships, or employment, you can order an official ATAR certificate (PDF or printed) directly through the ATAR Portal.
Today is about more than a number. It reflects years of learning, resilience, pressure, growth, and persistence. Whether your ATAR opens your dream course immediately, leads you onto a different pathway, or sends you in a new direction entirely, you still have options, support, and time.
Be proud of how far you’ve come. Ask questions. Reach out for support when you need it. And remember – your future is built over time, not on one result.
If you need a hand or have questions, our friendly Contact Centre team is here for you. Call us on 1300 467 822 (or +61 7 3837 9573 if you’re overseas), Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:45am-4:30pm, or Wednesday from 9am-4:30pm (AEST).