Frequently asked questions

Who is responsible for the information on the website?

The Tertiary Admissions Centres (TACs) are responsible for the administration of the website, which includes collecting and publishing the data that is on the website. The course information and Institution profile is provided directly by the institution.

How are the search results calculated?

The algorithm used to determine search results is based on relevance to the search term entered and then randomised. It is unbiased and not based on payment.

Why are there some courses that don’t have an ATAR listed?

The ATAR rank listed is based on admissions to the course from the previous year.  So new courses won’t have this information.  Also, some courses rely on more than just the ATAR for admission. There might be an audition required or a portfolio of work that needs to be submitted. Contact the institution for further information on entry requirements.

What is the purpose of this website?

Course Seeker was built as part of the Government’s initiative to improve the transparency of higher education admissions. The website aims to provide information in a consistent and comparable way to enable users to make informed decisions about future study.

Why doesn’t the website include all Australian higher education institutions?

Participation in the platform is not mandatory, although it is recommended by the Government as it forms part of the sector’s commitment to implement the admissions transparency agenda. The first release of the website includes all public universities and some non-university higher education institutions. There are plans to include more institutions in future releases.

How can I use the website to help me find the courses I am looking for?

The course search helps you find information on thousands of undergraduate courses offered by Australian universities and other higher education providers. You can filter your course search by using filters such as state, study mode, duration of study, study area and ATAR.

Can you rank the results?

Course Seeker does not offer the ability to rank results. Instead, the website was designed to allow users to compare up to four institutions side by side.

Why aren’t all courses published on this website?

Course Seeker only displays higher education courses. To view Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, visit the My Skills website.

What do the Study Areas mean?

Information provided about the ComparED data is calculated across 21 study areas. The study areas published on the website have been compiled based on the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED), which groups higher education courses, specialisations and units of study with the same or similar vocational emphasis.

Can I save my search?

You can email or print courses of interest.

I can’t afford the fees listed for the course.  How can I get financial help for studying at university?

The Australian Government provides a range of assistance to help domestic higher education students. Further information can be found on the Study Assist website or on the resources page.

Why aren't ComparED results displayed at the course level?

The ComparED results cannot be displayed at course level, as the sample size is too small and data needs to be suppressed due to privacy reasons.

What support is available to regional and remote areas?

See the Rural and Regional Support page for more information.