More than 60,000 students across New South Wales are poised for a significant milestone as their Higher School Certificate (HSC) results and Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) are set for release. The long-awaited ranks will become available from 9am on Thursday, December 18, 2025, marking the culmination of years of hard work for the graduating class.
A Moment of Anticipation and Reflection
For many Illawarra students, Thursday morning will be a time of celebration, a chance to see the tangible results of their efforts. The ATAR is a critical tool for university admissions, used to select school leavers for courses across the country. According to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), the rank is a reliable predictor of success in first-year university study and helps manage entry into high-demand programs fairly.
A recent Mitchell Institute study highlighted that nationally, 70 per cent of school leavers gain university entry wholly or partly based on their ATAR. However, as the community prepares for the big day, local voices remind us that this result is just one moment in a much longer journey.
Local Perspectives: The ATAR and Life Beyond School
The Illawarra Mercury recently spoke with several locals about their own experiences with final year results and their impact. Their stories reveal a diverse range of paths to success.
NSW Planning Minister and local member Paul Scully, an alumnus of Figtree High School, recalls achieving a Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) around 90. He credits his public education with providing a strong foundation. "The education I got at Figgie High set me in good stead for university," Mr Scully said, noting that the problem-solving skills honed during the HSC remain valuable in his ministerial role.
University of Sydney science student Fiona Seymour, who scored an ATAR of 89.95, views her result as a testament to her dedication. "For me it was just a show of how much effort and work I put in, which I think is really important in the science profession," she explained.
Yet, for others, the traditional academic path wasn't the right fit. Twenty-two-year-old carpenter Jaylen Ball said school wasn't for him. "[It was] not really relevant because of the path I chose," he said, enthusiastically recommending trades for those who learn differently.
This sentiment is echoed by Lynn Edge, head of the Salvation Army in Wollongong, who left school at 15. "Missing my ATAR might have been disappointing at the time, but actually has not been a barrier," she said, having later returned to study, earned a doctorate, and now teaches at a postgraduate level.
Carlie Kerrigan, a coordinator at battery company Sicona, scored an ATAR around 75 but initially dropped out of university. She returned as a mature-age student, discovering a passion for chemistry and graduating with honours at 29. "I fell in love with chemistry," she shared, highlighting that the journey can sometimes take unexpected turns.
How to Access Your ATAR and Next Steps
Students can view their ATAR via the UAC website from 9am on December 18. To log in, they will need their NESA student number and UAC PIN. Anyone who has lost their PIN is urged to contact UAC immediately to have it reissued.
For specific enquiries about ATAR calculation, students can call the UAC ATAR Enquiry Centre on (02) 9119 5012 from 8.30am on results day.
A critical deadline looms for those who have applied through UAC. They have until 11.59pm on Thursday, December 18, to finalise their course preferences for the first major offer round on Tuesday, December 23. Historically, UAC sees around 20,000 students adjust their preferences after receiving their ATAR to better align their choices with their eligibility.
While the ATAR remains a pivotal gateway for many, the stories from across the Illawarra serve as a powerful reminder: it is an important result, but it does not define a person's future potential or the many routes to a fulfilling career and life.
