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WACE ATAR lower than expected? Your pathways into uni, TAFE and work (2026)

WACEExplainerUni pathways8 min read

Quick answer

A lower ATAR rarely closes the door. First, TISC and the universities apply access pathway adjustments automatically, so your selection rank for a university may be higher than your ATAR. You can still change preferences until 11.59 pm on 20 December 2026 and again before the second round (13 January 2027). If you still miss out, every WA university runs a free enabling or preparation program that leads into a degree, and TAFE, mid-year entry and switching courses are all real routes.

Step 1: check your selection rank, not just your ATAR

Most WA universities give ATAR adjustments to students who meet certain school or personal background criteria. TISC works these out automatically from your application and shows your selection rank for each university on your UAAL. See understanding your WACE results.

University Pathway What the university says
Curtin StepUp to Curtin Boost based on socio-economic criteria (Indigenous Australian status, financial hardship, or Year 12 at an eligible school). ATAR 60 to 69.95 adjusted to 70; ATAR 70+ gets five extra points. Automatic, except financial hardship claims.
ECU ECU Access Listed by TISC as ECU's access pathway; check ECU's eligible school list.
Murdoch Murdoch RISE Automatic, up to 10 points (to a maximum selection rank of 90) for ATARs of 55.00 to 89.95 who meet a factor such as a RISE school or postcode, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, or being first in family at uni.
UWA Broadway UWA Automatic adjustment for students from Broadway-identified WA schools.
Notre Dame No set pathway Adjustments are made for individual circumstances.

If your year was disrupted by illness, family or financial problems, the Education Access Scheme second round deadline is 5 pm, Friday 8 January 2027.

Step 2: rethink your preferences

Main round preferences close 11.59 pm on results day, Sunday 20 December 2026, with offers on 24 December. You can change them again before 11.59 pm, Wednesday 13 January 2027 for the second round on 20 January 2027. Dates and tactics are in WACE results day, TISC early offers and preferences.

  • Add a related degree with a lower threshold at the same uni, then plan to switch (see Step 5).
  • Add an enabling program (below) as a lower preference. Curtin's UniReady is applied for through TISC.
  • Use the uni course finder and choosing a uni course to find alternatives.
Common trap

Deferring an offer you don't want as a "backup". TISC says a deferral counts as an acceptance, so you won't be considered in later offer rounds.

Step 3: enabling and preparation programs

These are free for eligible domestic students and lead directly into many degrees.

  • Curtin UniReady Enabling Program: free, 17 weeks, starts in semester 1 or 2. Completing it meets Curtin's minimum admission criteria of a 70 ATAR and English proficiency. Year 12s apply through TISC.
  • ECU University Preparation Course (UniPrep): free for eligible domestic students. A full semester course, or the intensive UniPrep Summer (23 November 2026 to 29 January 2027). Completing it makes you eligible for many ECU degrees.
  • Murdoch OnTrack Flex, OnTrack Sprint and K-Track: free. OnTrack Sprint is an intensive 4-week program for recent Year 12s; OnTrack Flex runs over one to two semesters; K-Track is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Completion can give direct entry with a selection rank of 70.
  • UWA Catalyst (STEM), Thrive (health and nursing), Headway (arts, business, education and more) and the Aboriginal Orientation Course: free, one semester, leading to UWA degrees with a 70 ATAR equivalency.
  • Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program: free for eligible students, offered at Fremantle or online, applied for directly with Notre Dame.

UWA also considers WA school leavers whose ATAR is a little short through Experience-based entry, and Curtin offers Portfolio Entry and a STAT pathway.

Step 4: TAFE, VET and work

TAFE is a first choice for many careers, not a consolation prize. WA's five TAFE colleges (Central Regional, North Metropolitan, North Regional, South Metropolitan and South Regional) share one application system at tasonline.tafe.wa.edu.au. For Semester 1 2027, main intake applications close on Friday 30 October 2026. After that, late (waitlist) applications open on 31 October 2026 and close at 3 pm, Friday 5 February 2027, for courses not filled in the main intake.

A qualification can also get you into uni: Curtin's VET pathway is for students with a Certificate IV or higher. Browse TAFE courses such as the Diploma of Nursing or Certificate IV in Information Technology, the trades hub, and careers. If you want to earn while you decide, start with a resume for school leavers and apprenticeship interviews.

Step 5: mid-year entry and switching later

  • Mid-year entry: TISC says mid-year applications are made directly to the university, not through TISC. UniReady also starts in semester 2.
  • Switching courses: Curtin describes Switch Curtin Courses as a way to move into a course with more competitive entry after starting in another one. Other universities have their own internal transfer rules; ask their admissions teams.
  • Curtin College diplomas are designed to lead into the second year of a Curtin bachelor degree.

Is a gap year a good idea?

It can be, if you have a plan. Most offers can be deferred (usually for 12 months), but check with the university before accepting. Read gap year or uni straight after, deferring your uni offer and gap year pros and cons, and look through life after school.

Sources & how we know this

Last updated: 2026-09-28. Rules change. For the official source see SCSA.

Written with the help of AI tools from official SCSA publications and the sources listed on this page. Not individually reviewed by a person; always check SCSA for current rules.

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