Expanding opportunities for future students, The University of Western Australia has adjusted its ATAR minimum entry requirement for several undergraduate courses to make higher education more accessible.

The new minimum ATAR entry requirement of 70 responds to the evolving nature of secondary education, increasing diversity of student pathways, and limitations of ATAR as a sole predictor of university success. 

The change puts UWA in line with other Group of Eight and WA universities, which have adjusted entry requirements towards this range in recent years. 

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience, Professor Guy Littlefair said setting the ATAR threshold at 70 for some undergraduate degrees was based on sound evidence and institutional experience.

Image: UWA Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience - Professor Guy Littlefair.

“This adjustment will open the door to many students who may not have previously considered applying to UWA based on their predicted ATAR results,” Professor Littlefair said.

“It will also help students from diverse backgrounds who may have faced systemic academic achievement barriers while being academically capable; this is particularly important when universities are increasingly expected to balance teaching excellence with inclusivity.”

In line with its vision to support every student with the ambition and potential to succeed, UWA is introducing a range of preparatory pathway programs for students who have graduated from high school and mature-age students. More information about these programs will be announced in early 2026 with the first intake in Semester 2, 2026. 

The University will also become the first Group of Eight university to offer integrated professional degrees next year in Arts, Commerce and Science, where students participate in work-integrated learning preparation and placement every year. 

Professor Littlefair said these initiatives, together with a revised ATAR entry score, were all part of UWA’s shift towards a more flexible and holistic admission policy.

“Our research data tells us that students with an ATAR in the 70-to-80 range are highly capable of succeeding at University,” he said.  

“Adjusting the ATAR threshold to 70 is a recalibration based on evidence of student performance and the changing uptake of ATAR in secondary schools. In 2024, WA’s ATAR participation rate across the school leaving age population was the lowest in Australia at 27.4 per cent.”

The change also reflects contemporary student performance, national enrolment trends and the University’s strategic priorities of equity, inclusion and academic excellence.   

The new entry level will apply to 23 Bachelor degree and combined degree courses including Arts, Business, Science, Environmental Design, Social Work, Nursing, Primary Education, International Relations, Media and Communications. 

Those interested in studying at UWA from next year can apply now or call 131 UWA (131 892).