This report examines the relevance of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Reflecting on its purpose, the analysis asks, for whom is it working; is its use changing; and what are the implications for national education policy objectives. It finds three in ten school leavers are now admitted to university without reference to an ATAR.

This paper identifies the current major issues for Australian schooling and outlines the policy offerings of the major parties heading into the 2025 federal election. It finds that battlelines are being firmly drawn on school education policy, with the conversation centring on funding, equity and student outcomes.