Study in Australia

University Grading System in Australia for Students

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Blog Summary Are you an international student planning to study in Australia? Don't let the grading system confuse you! The Australian grading system might be different from what you're used to, but this blog breaks it down for you. Remember, there are similarities but also differences. So, read up and be prepared for your Australian academic journey!

International students studying in Australia might have issues understanding the Australian grading system (at least at the beginning of their education in Australia). This is because the Australian grading system differs a little or a lot, depending on where you are coming from.

If you plan to study in Australia, this blog will help you understand the Australian university grading system from school to college and university. However, it is also worth noting that the Australian grading system also differs from state to state. So, it is further important to understand how or how much the grading system changes within different Australian states. This difference in the Australian state grading system is also comprehensively given below.

Even though there are resemblances in the grading system throughout Australia, there are noticeable differences depending on the education institution in question and the region the institution is located at.

Australian Grading System High School/Secondary/Primary Education

The Australian grading system in high school and other school divisions are good starting points for exposure to the country’s grading system. In the Australian grading system, high school, and so forth, the minimum required pass grade is the grade “E.” The schools also provide provision of the grade PC, which means Pass Conceded. This grade is given in special circumstances to the student to make them pass.

The PC will only be offered if the following criteria apply, 

  • The student has attained a mark of 45% to 49% in the subject;
  • The student has submitted all the tasks required for marked assessment in the subject;
  • The subject is not necessary for practice under professional accreditation rules;
  • The subject is not necessary as a prerequisite for further subjects or the course;
  • The subject represents the last twelve credit points necessary to complete the course and get the qualification

Australian Grades

Australian Grading System Description

Australian Grading Scale 

A

Excellent

85 and above

B

Good

84 - 70

C

Satisfactory

69 - 51

D

Limited

50 - 31

E

Very Low

30 - 26

F

Fail

25 and below

Australian Grading System for Undergraduate

For undergraduate level in the Australian university grading system, the minimum required pass grade is “P”. The grade C indicates the student has scored a score percentage anywhere from 50 to 64. Much like the schools, the Australian uni grading system has a “PC” grade, which means that the course is recognised by the university but is not assessed due to transfer or other special circumstances of the student preventing them from being awarded any grade from A to E.

Grade

Australian Grading System Description

GPA

Grade Scale 

HD

High Distinction

A+

100 - 85

D

Distinction

A

84 - 75

C

Credit

B

74 - 65

P

Pass

C

64 - 50

F

Fail

F

49 and below 

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Australian Grading System for Postgraduate

The Australian university grading system for postgraduates is a close reflection of the grading system at the undergraduate level of study. Much like undergraduates, postgraduates also have the minimum passing grade as the grade “P”.

Grade

Australian Grading System Description

GPA

Grade Scale 

HD

High Distinction

A+

100 - 85

D

Distinction

A

84 - 75

C

Credit

B

74 - 65

P

Pass

C

64 - 50

F

Fail

F

49 and below 

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Australian Grading System for Honours Degree

The Australian uni grading system for the honours degree is much different than the grading system of the undergraduate and postgraduate courses. However, the minimum passing grade for an honours degree according to the Australian grading system is also “P”. 

Grade

Australian Grading System 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

Australian Grading System for Vocational and Trade Courses

When it comes to vocational and trading Courses, there are no ifs buts or maybes, students of these courses need to score 100 percent for them to be considered competent and satisfactory. 

Grade

Australian Grading System Description

Grade Scale in 

C/S

Competent/Satisfactory

100

NYC/NS

Not Yet Competent/ Not Yet Satisfactory

0

Australian Grading System Across Different States

Australian Grading System in Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

The Australian grading system for the capital territory can be said to be a somewhat popular grading system when compared to others. For ACT, the grade “D” is the minimum required passing grade. And the grade “S” is recognised as passed by the university but not assessed due to transfer or special circumstances in the student’s case, which prevents the university from awarding grades A to E.

Australian Grade

American Grade (Equivalent)

Grade Description

Grade Scale 1

Grade Scale 2

A

A

Extremely High Standard of Achievement

100 - 85

5.00

B

B

High Standard of Achievement

84 - 70

4.99 - 4.00

C

C

Acceptable Standard of Achievement

69 - 50

3.99 - 3.00

D

D

Limited Standard of Achievement

49 - 25

2.99 - 2.00

E

F

Very Limited Performance

24 - 0

1.99 - 1.00

Australian Grading System in Northern Territory

According to the Australian grading system of the Northern Territory, the minimum passing grade is “D”. The grade D equates to a score anywhere from 2.00 to 2.99 or 8.00 to 10.99.

Australian Grade

American Grade (Equivalent)

Grade Scale 1

Grade Scale 2

A

A

5.00

20.00 - 17.00

B

B

4.99 - 4.00

16.99 - 14.00

C

C

3.99 - 3.00

13.99 - 11.00

D

D

2.99 - 2.00

10.99 - 8.00

E

F

1.99 - 1.00

7.99 - 0.00

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Australian Grading System in South Australia

The Australian grading system of South Australia calls grade “F1” as the minimum passing grade. The grade F1 equates to a score of 1.50 to 3.99 or 40.00 to 49.99. At the same time, NGP (Non-Graded Pass) is the passing grade without assessment during special circumstances.

Australian Grade

American Grade (Equivalent)

Australian Grading System Description

Grade Scale 1

Grade Scale 2

HD

A+

High Distinction

7.00

100. 00 - 85.00

D

A

Distinction

6.99 - 6.00

84.99 - 75.00

C

B

Credit

5.99 - 5.00

74.99 - 65.00

P1

B-

Pass Level 1

4.99 - 4.50

64.99 - 55.00

P2

C

Pass Level 2

4.49 - 4.00

54.99 - 50.00

F1

C-

Fail Level 1

3.99 - 1.50

49.99 - 40.00

F2

F

Fail Level 2

1.49 - 1.00

39.99 - 0.00

NGP

P

Non-Graded Pass

Australian Grading System in Western Australia 

The Australian grading system of Western Australia calls grade “D” as the minimum passing grade. The grade D equates to the score of 2.00 to 2.99 or 50.00 to 59.00. 

Australian Grade

American Grade (Equivalent)

Australian Grading System Description

Grade Scale 1

Grade Scale 2

A

A

Excellent Achievement 

5.00

100.00 - 80.00

B

B

High Achievement

4.99 - 4.00

79.99 - 70.00

C

C

Sound Achievement

3.99 - 3.00

69.99 - 60.00 

D

D

Limited Achievement

2.99 - 2.00

59.99 - 50.00

E

F

Inadequate Achievement

1.99 - 0.00

49.99 - 0.00

Australian Grading System in New South Wales

The Australian grading system of New South Wales states grade “P” as the minimum passing grade. The grade P equates to a score anywhere between 50.00 to 64.00. And PC (Pass Conceded) is the passing grade that the universities give students under transfer or other special circumstances during which the university cannot grade the students with the grades HD to F.

Australian Grade

American Grade (Equivalent)

Australian Grading System Description

Grade Scale 

HD

A+

High Distinction

100.00 - 85.00

D

A

Distinction

84.99 - 75.00

CR

B

Credit

74.99 - 65.00

P

C

Pass

64.00 - 50.00

PC

C-

Pass Conceded

F

F

Fail

49.00 - 0.00

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Australian Grading System in Queensland

The Australian grading system of Queensland states that the grade “P” as the minimum passing grade. The grade P equates to a score anywhere between 4.00 to 4.99. 

Australian Grade

American Grade (Equivalent)

Grade Description

Grade Scale 

HD

A+

High Distinction

7.00

D

A

Distinction

6.99 - 6.00

C

B

Credit

5.99 - 5.00

P

C

Pass

4.99 - 4.00

F

F

Fail

3.99 - 1.00

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Australian Grading System in Tasmania

According to the Australian grading system of the state of Tasmania, the minimum passing grade for a student in a university is the grade “PA”. The grade PA equates to a score anywhere in-between 2.00 to 2.49.

Australian Grade

American Grade (Equivalent)

Grade Description

Grade Scale 

EA

A+

Excellent Achievement

4.00

HA

A

High Achievement

3.99 - 3.50

CA

B

Commendable Achievement

3.49 - 3.00

SA

C

Satisfactory Achievement

2.99 - 2.50

PA

D

Preliminary Performance

2.49 - 2.00

Australian Grading System in Victoria

The Australian grading system of Victoria, calls the grade “E” as the minimum passing grade for university students. Further, the failing grade of grade “F” is also denoted by the letters G, H, and UG. 

Australian Grade

American Grade (Equivalent)

Grade Description

A

A+

Excellent Achievement

B

A

High Achievement

C

B

Commendable Achievement

D

C

Satisfactory Achievement

E

D

Preliminary Performance

F

F

Fail

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the university grading system in Australia structured?
The grading system in Australia often uses letters like HD (High Distinction), D (Distinction), C (Credit), P (Pass), and F (Fail).