University grading system varies across countries. If you are an international student in Australia and have completed a course already, you must have observed a difference in the grading system between your home country and Australia.
But, you may want to note that the grading system is not the same across Australia. Being a vast country, each of its states has its own system of grading. 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.
The basic grading scale looks like this for most universities in Australia. However, based on which university you study in and which state it is in, the grading system may slightly differ.
For 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 |
For Honours Degree
Grade | Grade description | Grade scale % |
H1H1 | 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 |
For Vocational and Trade Courses
Grading for vocational courses is binary. You either pass by achieving the required competency or fail.
Grade | Grade description | Grade scale % |
C/S | Competent/Satisfactory | 100% |
NYC/NS | Not Yet Competent/Not Yet Satisfactory | 0 |
Grading System Across the Australian States
Each Australian state is home to a handful of world-class universities. Due to their diversity and needs, they follow their own, unique grading system.
Australian Capital Territory
University of Canberra, Australian National University, Charles Sturt University, UNSW Canberra, Australian Catholic University are the notable institutions in the capital territory and here is their grading system.
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 east coast state, New South Wales, houses the University of New South Wales, University of Sydney, University of Newcastle, Macquarie University and La Trobe University.
Grade | Grade description | Grade scale % |
A | High Distinction | 100 - 85 |
B | Distinction | 84 - 70 |
C | Credit | 69 - 50 |
D | Pass | 49 - 25 |
E | Fail | 24 - 0 |
Northern Territory
With Darwin as the capital city, this beautiful state of Australia has Charles Darwin University and Flinders University to its name.
Grade | Scale 1 | Scale 2 |
A | 5 | 17 - 20 |
B | 4 - 4.99 | 14 - 16.99 |
C | 3 - 3.99 | 11 - 13.99 |
D | 2 - 2.99 | 8 - 10.99 |
E | 1 - 1.99 | 0 - 7.99 |
Queensland
The second-largest state of Australia takes pride in being home to some of the renowned institutions such as the University of Queensland, Bond University, Griffith University and 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 |
F | Fail | 1 - 3.99 |
South Australia
South Australia is a wildlife haven of the continent and home to Kangaroo Island. The state has the University of South Australia, University of Adelaide, Torrens University, to name a few.
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 | 30 - 39 |
Tasmania
Tasmania is an island state known for its richest history and the cleanest air in the world. The University of Tasmania is the only university in the state.
Grade | Grade description | Grade scale % |
EA | Excellent Achievement | 4.00 |
HA | High Achievement | 3.50 - 3.99 |
CA | Commendable Achievement | 3.00 - 3.49 |
SA | Satisfactory Achievement | 2.50 - 2.99 |
PA | Preliminary Performance | 2.00 - 2.49 |
Victoria
With Melbourne as capital, this industrious state of Australia features some of the best government and private universities in the country: Monash University, RMIT, Swinburne University, Deakin, University of Melbourne, Victoria University etc
Code | Grade | Mark |
HD | High Distinction | 80-100 |
D | Distinction | 70-79 |
C | Credit | 60-69 |
P | Pass | 50-59 |
N | Fail | 0-49 |
Before you join your next course, research your favourite universities, understand their grading systems. Also, check the university website to find if the grading system has gone through any change or update.
Talk to our counsellors if you need further support in the research of your next course and university.