ATAR Exam Countdown 2026
Official 2026 exam windows, timetable release status and study countdowns for every Australian state. HSC, VCE, QCE, WACE, SACE, TCE and ACT SSC in one place.
Last checked against official state sources: 1 May 2026
State-by-State Exam Dates
HSC NSW
Official windowWritten exams run from mid-October to early November 2026.
Last checked: 1 May 2026
VCE VIC
Official windowPerformance and oral exams across October; written exams late October to mid-November.
Last checked: 1 May 2026
QCE QLD
Official windowExternal assessments run from late October to mid-November 2026.
Last checked: 1 May 2026
WACE WA
Official windowPractical exams late September to late October; written exams late October to mid-November.
Last checked: 1 May 2026
SACE SA
Official windowOfficial November timetable published; some language exam dates remain TBA.
Last checked: 1 May 2026
TCE TAS
Official windowWritten exams across mid-November 2026; results released mid-December 2026.
Last checked: 1 May 2026
ACT ACT
Official windowAST first sitting in late August 2026; subject assessment dates vary by college.
Last checked: 1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When do ATAR exams start in 2026?
The earliest centrally scheduled dates currently published are the ACT AST on Tuesday 25 August 2026 and the WACE practical exam window from Saturday 26 September 2026. For statewide written exam blocks, HSC starts on Tuesday 13 October 2026, VCE and QCE on Monday 26 October 2026, SACE on Monday 2 November 2026, and TASC written exams on Monday 9 November 2026.
How is the ATAR calculated?
ATAR calculation differs by state but remains nationally comparable. Your scaled senior secondary results are used to rank you against the age cohort, and each admissions authority applies its own published rules for subject eligibility, scaling and aggregate construction.
Which state has the earliest exams?
If you count the ACT’s centrally administered AST, the first published statewide assessment date is Tuesday 25 August 2026. Among ATAR course exam windows, WACE practical exams start earliest on Saturday 26 September 2026.
Does the ACT have ATAR exams?
The ACT does not have a single end-of-year written exam block like HSC or VCE. Most assessment is school-based, and the AST first sitting is scheduled for Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 August 2026 for ATAR scaling.
When are ATAR results released?
Source-backed 2026 release dates currently published include VCE on Thursday 10 December 2026, HSC results on Wednesday 16 December 2026, QCAA Year 12 results on Wednesday 16 December 2026, and TASC student results on Wednesday 16 December 2026. UAC also says NSW and ACT ATAR access begins on Wednesday 16 December 2026. WA and SA students should check SCSA, TISC, the SACE Board and SATAC when those dates are officially published.
Last updated: 1 May 2026