Australian University Grading Systems
Australian universities use broadly similar grading systems, but the thresholds, labels, and performance metrics vary enough to matter, especially if you're calculating your WAM or figuring out what you need to pass.
Grade labels
Most Australian universities use four passing grades plus a fail:
| Grade | Full name | Typical threshold |
|---|---|---|
| HD | High Distinction | 85%+ |
| D | Distinction | 75–84% |
| CR or C | Credit | 65–74% |
| P | Pass | 50–64% |
| F | Fail | Below 50% |
UNSW uses the same bands but calls them HD / DN / CR / PS / FL.
Where it gets different
Monash and UWA set the bar lower for HD and D:
| Grade | Threshold |
|---|---|
| HD | 80%+ |
| D | 70–79% |
| CR | 60–69% |
| P | 50–59% |
So an 82% at Monash is an HD. The same mark at UQ is a Distinction.
The University of Melbourne uses a completely different system:
| Grade | Meaning | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| H1 | First Class Honours equivalent | 80%+ |
| H2A | Upper Second | 75–79% |
| H2B | Lower Second | 65–74% |
| H3 | Third | 50–64% |
| F | Fail | Below 50% |
WAM vs GPA
Australian universities track your academic performance using one of two metrics.
WAM (Weighted Average Mark) is a percentage. Each course's mark is weighted by its credit points, then averaged. A WAM above 65 is generally solid; above 75 is competitive for honours or postgraduate entry.
GPA (Grade Point Average) is a number out of 7. Each grade maps to a point value (HD = 7, D = 6, CR = 5, P = 4). UQ and QUT use this system. A GPA of 5.0+ is generally considered good; 6.0+ is strong.
| University | Metric | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| UQ | GPA | 7-point |
| QUT | GPA | 7-point |
| UNSW | WAM | Percentage |
| Monash | WAM | Percentage |
| USyd | WAM | Percentage |
| UniMelb | WAM | Percentage |
| ANU | WAM | Percentage |
| UWA | WAM | Percentage |
| Adelaide Uni | WAM | Percentage |
Semester and term systems
| University | System | Periods |
|---|---|---|
| UQ | Semester | Sem 1, Sem 2, Summer |
| QUT | Semester | Sem 1, Sem 2, Summer |
| UNSW | Term | T1, T2, T3, Summer |
| Monash | Semester | Sem 1, Sem 2, Summer |
| USyd | Semester | Sem 1, Sem 2, Summer |
| UniMelb | Semester | Sem 1, Sem 2, Summer |
| ANU | Semester | Sem 1, Sem 2, Summer |
| UWA | Trimester | T1, T2, T3 |
| Adelaide Uni | Semester | Sem 1, Sem 2 |
Hurdle requirements
Many courses include hurdles: minimum marks on specific assessments that you must hit regardless of your overall score. Failing a hurdle fails the course even if your total is above 50%. Hurdles are always specified in the course profile.
Track your grades and calculate exactly what you need