The ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) is a tool used for university admissions. It ranks students on their academic performance in their final years of secondary school. Since not all students are on a level playing field, universities in Australia offer adjustment factors known as bonus points. Let's see what they are.
What Are Adjustment Factors and How Do They Work?
Adjustment factors are applied for several reasons, including excelling in specific subjects, living in a certain regional area, or facing equity-related challenges. It's important that students understand these adjustments, who qualifies for them, and how they can impact final admissions decisions.
These are sometimes used to boost the baseline rank offered by the ATAR, increasing students' chances of being admitted to more competitive courses. They're designed to recognise and reward students for specific circumstances, achievements, or challenges.
These aren't added to the ATAR score (which is really a rank) but added to a student's selection rank, the metric used by universities to assess applicants for admissions.
In practice, this could involve a student with a 75.00 ATAR (which is slightly above the average ATAR) being given 5 adjustment points for excelling in a priority subject like Mathematics Extension. In this instance, the final selection rank would be 80.00, which could make them eligible for courses that need a higher entry rank.
Why Are Adjustment Factors Used?
While the ATAR system already exists to make university admission processes more fair, if you know anything about it, you'll also know that it only considers academic factors.
The ATAR makes results more equitable across different Australian states and subjects, making them comparable.
However, the ATAR doesn't consider educational inequities caused by location, school environment, or personal challenges. They also don't consider specific fields, like the aforementioned example where priority subjects for a certain course can be considered.
Here's a nice explainer between ATAR and rank.
Types of Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors boost a student's selection rank and help them qualify for a university course that might have been otherwise out of reach if simply using ATAR results.
There are various reasons why adjustments are applied, including strong performance in certain subjects, living in a specific region, or facing financial hardship.
Here are some of the types of adjustment factors that universities across Australia offer.
Subject-Specific Adjustments
Many subject-specific adjustments recognise students who perform well in key academic areas, such as science, engineering, or mathematics.
For example, students who do well in Mathematics Extension or Physics may receive extra points when applying for engineering or science degrees at certain universities. Doing well in English or other languages could help in certain arts or law programmes.
- The University of Queensland (UQ) offers bonus points for Mathematics Methods, Specialist Mathematics, and Physics for selected courses.
- Griffith University offers subject adjustments for high performance in science and health-related subjects.
- The University Admission Centre (UAC) in NSW facilitates adjustments for students excelling in priority subjects.
Subject-specific adjustments reward academic excellence and help students pursue careers requiring advanced academic skills.
Equity Considerations
The bonus points and adjustment factors also consider that not all students have the same access to resources, opportunities, or supportive learning environments. Equity-based adjustments can help level the playing field for disadvantaged students during their school years.
These equity adjustments are typically for the following factors:
Students attending schools in disadvantaged areas or with lower education resources.
Those whose families face financial challenges may qualify for additional support.
Students affected by illness, family circumstances, or natural disasters.
Certain equity adjustment programmes could offer certain students bonus points to their ranking; here are just a couple of examples.
- The Educational Access Scheme (EAS) through UAC offers points to students who meet specific disadvantage criteria, such as financial hardship or attending an under-resourced school.
- Universities like UNSW and Griffith University have dedicated programs to support equity-based adjustments.
Equity adjustments provide opportunities for students who demonstrate resilience and potential, even in adversity.
Regional and Location-Based Adjustments
Regional and location-based adjustments recognise that students living in certain rural, regional, or remote areas face unique challenges. These adjustments can bridge the gap between regional communities and tertiary education opportunities.
These adjustments are typically awarded to students based on their postcode or the school they attended. Higher points are typically awarded to remote areas or regions with lower university attendance rates.
We haven't listed all of them, but here are some examples of regional adjustment programmes.:
- South Australia: The University of Adelaide offers bonus points for students from regional or low-socioeconomic areas.
- Queensland: Universities like Griffith and UQ provide location-based bonuses for students in rural or remote parts of the state.
- Western Sydney University: Offers location-based adjustments for students living in the western suburbs of Sydney, such as Mount Druitt, Parramatta, and Fairfield.
These programmes can help ensure that regional students have equal access to university courses, especially in areas like education, healthcare, and engineering, which tend to be underserved in certain areas.
Location-based adjustments help students overcome geographic barriers, supporting more equitable access to tertiary education across Australia.
How to Apply for Adjustment Factors
Applying for adjustment factors can give eligible students a significant advantage during university admission. Subject-specific bonuses, equity considerations, and regional adjustments may need to be applied for to ensure that your selection rank is properly adjusted.
Just remember that while adjustment factors can help, don't rely on them over effective study strategies and getting the best possible ATAR you're capable of.
Step 1: Identify the Types of Adjustment Factors that You Quality For
Before applying for adjustment factors, you can save yourself a lot of time by determining which ones you may be eligible for.
Some adjustments are automatically applied, while others will require formal applications.
- Subject Adjustments: Automatically applied in some universities when students excel in priority subjects.
- Equity Considerations: May require evidence of financial hardship, educational disruption, or attending a low-socioeconomic school.
- Regional Adjustments: Often applied based on your postcode, but some institutions may require proof of residency.
Check the university's website or relevant admission centre (e.g., UAC in NSW, QTAC in Queensland) for specific eligibility criteria.
Step 2: Submit Applications Through the Correct Portal
Adjustment factors are usually applied through state-based admission centres or by the university. Here are some of these.
- NSW: Apply through the University Admissions Centre (UAC) for most adjustment types.
- Victoria: Use VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre).
- Queensland: Submit applications via QTAC.
- Other States: South Australia (SATAC), Western Australia (TISC), and Tasmania (UTAS) have their own application portals.
Some universities also have internal applications for specific equity schemes or subject bonuses.
Step 3: Provide Supporting Documents
Students often need to supply evidence during the application process to ensure that adjustment factors are fairly applied.
Common types of evidence include:
- Financial Evidence: Payslips, tax statements, or Centrelink information for financial hardship.
- School Records: Proof of attendance at a low-socioeconomic school or specific secondary schools.
- Medical Documentation: If claiming adjustments for health-related disruptions.
- Proof of Residence: For regional or postcode-based adjustments.
Ensure all documents are clear and submitted before the application deadline.
Step 4: Confirm Adjustments on Your Selection Rank
Once the adjustment factors have been processed, students can verify their selection rank in their university portfolio or admission centre login.
- Automatic Adjustments: Some subject-based adjustments will automatically be factored into the selection rank.
- Equity and Regional Adjustments: These often require confirmation via a notification from the university or admission portal.
Contact the university admissions office immediately if your selection rank doesn't reflect expected bonus points.
Step 5: Keep Track of Deadlines
Make sure you submit your adjustment factor applications before the final round of university offers, and remember that deadlines can vary based on the state and university. Be sure to:
- Check closing dates on the UAC, VTAC, or QTAC websites.
- Submit documents early to avoid technical issues.
- Follow up if you don't receive confirmation of adjustments being applied.
How Adjustment Factors Affect Selection Ranks
Adjustment factors can play a significant role in improving a student's selection rank, which can determine whether or not a student is accepted into a competitive university course.
While ATAR can indicate academic performance, adjustment factors will boost this rank, increasing certain students' chances of being offered a place in their preferred degree programme.
The selection rank is a student's ATAR combined with any eligible adjustment factors. Universities use this rank rather than the raw ATAR when determining admission.
If a student achieves an ATAR of 82.00 but receives 5 subject adjustment points for excelling in Mathematics Methods, their selection rank would increase to 87.00. This could help them meet the entry requirement for a Bachelor of Engineering course requiring an 85 selection rank.
Remember that although adjustment factors are beneficial, there is sometimes a cap on the number of bonus points students can receive, course-specific adjustment factors, and formal applications to consider.
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