Tens of thousands of Queensland year 12 students receive ATARs

Almost 60,000 Queensland year 12 students have received their final results, with about half, or just over 31,000, receiving an ATAR on Thursday.

Thirty-seven students graduated with top results — ATARs of 99.95 — while 25 per cent of that group received a rank of 90 or above.

Data from the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) showed a slight boost in the number of year 12 students receiving an ATAR when compared with last year.

Of the total cohort, 93.4 per cent received a Queensland Certificate of Education, while 1,192 received a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement.

Thirty-seven students graduated with top results — ATARs of 99.95 — while 25 per cent of that group received a rank of 90 or above. (ABC News)

‘What matters is satisfaction’

QTAC CEO Chris Veraa described the release as a “huge milestone” for year 12 students, which capped off their hard work.

He said graduates were encouraged to pursue study or a career they loved.

QTAC CEO Chris Veraa says today is a “huge milestone” for students. (ABC News: Crystalyn Brown)

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve got the highest ATAR in the state or not,” he said.

“Really, what matters is satisfaction and doing a career that you love.

“We really encourage people to use that ATAR as a way of exploring your options and seeing what works best for you.”

I had to work ‘pretty hard’

One of those students who did receive a top mark was Doris Wei, who said it was “quite exciting” to receive it after all of her hard work.

Ms Wei studied double maths, literature, chemistry, physics and French at Mansfield State High School in Brisbane.

Doris Wei says the support of her cohort helped her to achieve a 99.95 ATAR. (ABC News: Crystalyn Brown)

She said she had to “work pretty hard” and be “very thorough” to avoid making mistakes, and commended other high-achievers in her cohort who had supported her along the way. 

“I don’t think I would be there today without those people in my life actually,” Ms Wei explained.

“A lot of them are really inspiring and they have a lot of unique interests and that, in turn, pushes me to want to work harder and do cool things just like them as well.”

Her study tip: go to bed early, and have fun.

Saathvika Maturu also got an ATAR of 99.95, (ABC News: Crystalyn Brown)

For Saathvika Maturu, who also got an ATAR of 99.95, it was a “surreal experience”, as she said she had not been expecting such a high mark.

The Brisbane Girls Grammar student studied double maths, English, chemistry, economics and Latin. 

She said she was really proud and grateful for the support from her teachers along the way.

“I did well, but … I thought I might not get it,” Ms Maturu explained.

“It was really surprising.”

The aspiring medicine student said she was still weighing up her options about where to go for university, but hoped to stay in Queensland.

Early entry helps to reduce results day stress

On the Sunshine Coast, Baringa State Secondary College school principal Matt Samson said it was an especially exciting day as it was new school’s first full cohort of graduating students.

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“We know they worked really hard, but we’re looking forward to now seeing the rewards, I guess, of all of that hard work,” he said.

Mr Samson said many of the cohort had already “sorted” their pathways, which included early entry offers to university.

He agreed this helped to reduce the overall stress of results day.

“They still want to know their ATAR result because they have worked really hard and that’s sort of … going to give credibility to all of the hard work that they’ve done,” Mr Samson said. 

“But they they feel more relaxed because they already know they have an offer going to the university that they want to go.”

He said the state’s education department also had a good program in place for students who were not sure of their next steps.

Next steps?

ATAR results were released online at midday. 

QTAC’s Mr Veraa encouraged graduates who did not get the ATAR they wanted not to worry, saying there were options, and pathways into university or TAFE, for everyone. 

He said anyone who was in doubt about next steps should call QTAC to talk through their personal situation.

Queensland Education Department data showed school attendance had risen this year to the highest since 2021, at 87.3 per cent.

“Queensland graduates should be incredibly proud of their achievements, and I want to thank all the parents, teachers, principals and school staff who have supported them along the way,” Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said.