Complete Guide: University Grading System in Australia

Many international students planning to study in Australia have questions about how Australian universities grade students, how to calculate an Australian GPA, and what is considered a good GPA in Australia. Understanding the grading system can help students assess their academic performance and understand university entry and scholarship requirements.

This guide explains how the Australian university grading system works, the difference between GPA and WAM, how to calculate your GPA, and what international students should know about Australian grade and GPA requirements.

Pathways to University in Australia for International Students

Understanding the Australian education system is important for international students planning to continue their studies at an Australian university. Students generally follow one of two pathways: applying to an Australian university after completing high school or transferring to an Australian university after already beginning a degree in their home country.

From High School to an Australian University

Students who have recently completed high school and want to begin their university studies in Australia will generally apply for an undergraduate programme. During the application process, universities assess the student's secondary school qualification and academic results to determine whether they meet the entry requirements for their chosen course. The entry requirements vary by university and programme. Students may therefore need to understand how their grades or GPA are assessed when applying to an Australian university.

Transferring from a University in Another Country

Students who have already started a university degree in their home country may also apply to continue their studies at an Australian university. In this case, the Australian university may assess the student's previous university studies, including their academic results and completed subjects.

Depending on the university and course, students may also be considered for academic credit for previous study. This means that a student may not necessarily have to repeat subjects they have already successfully completed. However, credit is not automatic, and the receiving university decides which previous studies can be recognised.

How Grading Works at Australian Universities

Australia’s top universities rank among the best in the world, with nine institutions in the global top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2027. UNSW Sydney leads the country at 19th, ahead of the University of Melbourne at 22nd, with the University of Sydney at 28th.

Each of these universities sets its own grading scale, but most use the same core grades: High Distinction (HD), Distinction (D), Credit (CR) and Pass (P). At the University of Sydney, for example, a High Distinction starts at 85 out of 100, a Distinction at 75, a Credit at 65 and a Pass at 50. 

Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is then calculated on either a 4-point or 7-point scale, depending on the institution. To work out your GPA, multiply each unit’s grade value by its credit points, add the results together, and divide by your total credit points. A high distinction is worth 7 on a 7-point scale, so a result in this range is considered a strong GPA wherever you study. 

University Grading Systems in Australia

Australian universities do not follow one national grading system. Each institution sets its own grading scale and method for measuring academic performance. Some universities calculate a Grade Point Average (GPA), while others use measures such as the Weighted Average Mark (WAM). Students should therefore check the grading system used by their chosen university before comparing grades or calculating their academic average.

GPA vs WAM

Australian Universities That Use a GPA System

Several Australian universities use a grade point average to measure academic performance. However, the GPA scale can differ between institutions.

RMIT University

RMIT University uses a 4-point GPA scale. Its standard grading scale is:

RMIT also uses other grades in specific circumstances. For example, a Supplementary Pass (SP) is worth 1 grade point, while a Pass Only (PX) is not included in the GPA calculation. RMIT calculates GPA by weighting grade points according to credit points or, for vocational education, student contact hours.

Australian National University

The Australian National University (ANU) uses a 7-point GPA scale. Its standard grades include:

ANU calculates GPA by weighting each grade according to the units associated with the course. Its official grading system also includes separate honours classifications, such as H1, H2A, H2B and H3.

The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) uses a 7-point GPA scale. Its grading system includes High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, Pass and Fail grades, with GPA values assigned according to the university's grading policy. A High Distinction is worth 7 GPA points, while a Distinction is worth 6, a Credit 5 and a Pass 4. Students should use UWA's current grading policy when calculating their GPA.

Adelaide University

Adelaide University uses a 7-point GPA scale. Its current grading system includes:

The GPA value assigned to a failing grade is specific to this grading system and should not be assumed to apply to other Australian universities.

The University of Queensland

The University of Queensland (UQ) uses a 7-point grading scale, with grade points ranging from 7 for the highest grade to 0 for the lowest fail grade. Its grading system includes High Distinction, Distinction, Credit and Pass grades, as well as several fail grades.

Students should use UQ's official grading policy when calculating their GPA because the university's grade-point system is specific to UQ.

Australian Universities That Use WAM or Other Academic Measures

Not every Australian university uses GPA as its primary measure of academic performance. Some universities use Weighted Average Mark (WAM) or other academic measures instead.

The University of Sydney

The University of Sydney does not use a GPA scale. Instead, it uses the Weighted Average Mark (WAM) to measure academic performance. WAM is calculated using students' marks, weighted according to the credit-point value of their units and, in some cases, the level of study.

This means that students applying to or studying at the University of Sydney should not try to calculate a GPA using a generic Australian GPA formula. If another institution asks for a GPA, the student should check with that institution to find out which conversion method it requires.

How to Calculate Your GPA in Australia

The method used to calculate a Grade Point Average (GPA) depends on the university's grading system. Australian universities may use a 4-point or 7-point GPA scale, so students should always check their institution's official grading policy before calculating their GPA.

The general GPA formula is:

GPA = Σ (Grade Point × Credit Points) ÷ Σ Credit Points

To calculate your GPA, multiply the grade point assigned to each subject by the number of credit points that subject carries. Add these results together and divide the total by the number of credit points completed.

Example of GPA Calculation on a 7-Point Scale

Imagine a student at a university that uses a 7-point GPA scale who completes four subjects with the following results:

The calculation would be:

• GPA = [(7 × 6) + (6 × 6) + (5 × 6) + (4 × 6)] ÷ (6 + 6 + 6 + 6)

• GPA = 132 ÷ 24 = 5.5
  
  

The student's GPA would therefore be 5.5 out of 7.

Example of GPA Calculation on a 4-Point Scale

The same method can be used at a university that uses a 4-point GPA scale, such as RMIT. For example, imagine a student completes four subjects with the following results:

The calculation would be:

• GPA = [(4 × 12) + (3 × 12) + (2 × 12) + (1 × 12)] ÷ (12 + 12 + 12 + 12)

• GPA = 120 ÷ 48 = 2.5
  
  

The student's GPA would therefore be 2.5 out of 4.

What to Know Before Applying to an Australian University

Australian universities use different grading systems, so students should always check whether their chosen institution uses a 4-point GPA, 7-point GPA, WAM, or another academic measure. GPA values should not be compared directly across different scales.

For international students, the key is to follow the grading and admission requirements of the university they plan to attend. Students entering university after high school should check the entry requirements for their chosen course, while students transferring from another university should check how their previous grades and completed subjects will be assessed.