The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need to the QLD ATAR System as a Parent
If your child is heading into Year 10, 11, or 12, you’ve probably heard terms like Units 1–4, QCE, ATAR, and scaling thrown around. For many parents, this feels like a whole new language compared to when we were at school. Yet understanding how the system works is incredibly important, because subject choices and the ATAR pathway can directly influence your child’s opportunities after school.
This guide breaks down Queensland’s senior schooling and ATAR system in a clear, concise way so you can support your child with confidence.
Why does this matter?
Senior schooling decisions shape more than just “grades.” The subjects your child chooses in Year 10 and 11 can affect:
Whether they’re eligible for an ATAR.
Their chances of getting into university or other tertiary pathways.gt5o
Their confidence and motivation at school.
Even the career doors that remain open (or quietly close).
Having a working knowledge of the system allows you to guide your child without taking over. It means you can ask the right questions at subject selection evenings, weigh up options with them, and make sure they don’t miss opportunities through simple misunderstandings.
Units 1–4: How senior subjects are structured
In Queensland, senior subjects run across two years of study (Years 11 and 12), split into four units:
Units 1 & 2 (Year 11): These are more like foundation or practice units. They don’t contribute to your child’s ATAR, but they are important for building skills, confidence, and deciding if the subject is a good fit. Schools often use results here to recommend whether a student should continue into Units 3 & 4.
Units 3 & 4 (Year 12): These are where it really counts. The results from these two units are combined into a single final subject score, and this is what contributes to your ATAR.
Each subject typically has three internal assessments (marked at school but moderated externally) and one external exam (set and marked by the QCAA).
What is the ATAR, and who calculates it?
The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a number between 0.00 and 99.95 that indicates a student’s position relative to other students in their age group. It is not a percentage score. For example, an ATAR of 80 doesn’t mean your child got 80% — it means they performed better than about 80% of their cohort.
In Queensland, ATARs are calculated by QTAC, the same organisation that handles university applications.
What subjects count towards an ATAR?
To receive an ATAR, students need:
At least 5 general subjects, or
4 general subjects + 1 applied subject or VET qualification (at Certificate III level or higher).
Importantly, English is compulsory (General English, Literature, or English & Literature Extension). Students must achieve at least a passing grade (C or higher) in one English subject. Otherwise, an ATAR will not be awarded.
How scaling works (and why it matters)
This is where parents often get confused, and where myths can spread.
Scaling is used to make sure ATARs are fair and comparable across all subjects. Subject ‘raw’ scores are scaled to account for differences in subject difficulty and the strength of the cohort. For example, Specialist Mathematics usually scales higher than General Mathematics because historically, students who take Specialist are stronger in maths, and the content is more difficult.
This doesn’t mean students should pick “hard” subjects for the sake of scaling. If they can’t perform well in them, it won’t help their ATAR. A solid performance in a subject they enjoy and are good at usually beats struggling through a subject just because it “scales well.” The QCAA has publicly accessible data for how subjects scaled on a year-by-year basis, if you would like to understand how specific subjects tend to scale.
What to remember:
Scaling rewards performance, not just subject choice. A B in a subject your child loves is usually better than a D in one they hate.
Choosing subjects purely for scaling rarely works out — enjoyment and aptitude are far more important.
Scaling is about fairness. It ensures that no matter what mix of subjects your child studies, their ATAR is comparable to someone who chose differently.
How the ATAR is calculated
The calculation process is a bit complex, but in simple terms:
Each subject score from Units 3 & 4 is scaled.
QTAC takes the student’s best 5 scaled subject results.
These are added together to create a final score, which is then converted into an ATAR.
This means:
Only the top 5 subjects count (though most students study 6).
Applied subjects and VET qualifications can contribute, but generally don’t scale as highly as General subjects.
What about QCE points?
Alongside the ATAR, every student in Queensland works towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Think of this as the state-wide certificate that confirms your child has successfully completed their senior schooling.
To earn a QCE, students need to:
Accumulate at least 20 QCE credits from subjects, VET qualifications, or other recognised studies.
Achieve a minimum grade of C in General or Applied subjects (or a pass in VET courses).
Meet literacy and numeracy requirements.
Each completed unit usually contributes points (e.g., Units 1 & 2 = 1 credit each, Units 3 & 4 combined = 2 credits), while VET and certificate courses contribute varying amounts depending on the level.
Most students will naturally meet the 20-credit requirement. However, it is still important to keep in mind, especially if your child is changing subjects in Years 11 or 12.
Subject choice and career pathways
Subject selection isn’t just about the ATAR; it’s also about keeping pathways open. Some university courses have prerequisites (e.g., Chemistry for Medicine, Mathematical Methods for Engineering). Others may assume knowledge in certain areas, even if not compulsory.
For non-ATAR pathways, vocational courses and applied subjects can lead to apprenticeships, TAFE, or direct-entry roles. The key is matching subject choices to your child’s strengths and future goals, while also considering what might change if they’re not yet sure.
Other important factors to keep in mind
Flexibility: Universities offer alternate pathways (like bridging courses or early entry) for students who don’t achieve their desired ATAR.
Wellbeing matters: A high ATAR means little if your child is burnt out. Balance across subjects, study, and life is crucial.
External exams are big: In most subjects, the Year 12 exam counts for 25% of the final grade (50% in maths and science). This makes exam preparation a key focus.
ATAR is not the only way in: Many careers can be reached through vocational training, TAFE, or graduate-entry pathways later.
Final thoughts: how parents can support best
You don’t need to know every detail of the ATAR calculation. But understanding the basics — subject selection, scaling, prerequisites, and pathways — empowers you to guide your child through one of the most important decision-making periods of their schooling.
The best thing you can do is:
Encourage subjects that align with both strengths and interests.
Help balance ambition with a realistic workload.
Stay curious — attend information nights, read QCAA and QTAC resources, and ask questions.
Your child will do the learning, but your knowledge of the system can make the journey far less stressful and far more successful.
How Propel Tutoring can support your child’s ATAR journey
At Propel Tutoring, we know the QCE and ATAR systems can feel overwhelming — for both students and parents. That’s why our approach goes beyond subject-specific tutoring. We provide comprehensive education support designed to help students thrive academically and strategically.
Propel tutors are experts in the QLD curriculum and will be able to answer any specific questions you may have about the process or your child’s progress. We also offer a range of resources that are carefully tailored to support students to thrive independently and engage with their learning.
If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact us their one of our channels, and a Propel team member will get back to you as soon as possible.