Most Australian universities require a WAM of 70 or above to be eligible for an Honours year, with First Class Honours (H1) typically requiring 80 or above. Thresholds vary by university and faculty: some faculties set H1 at 75, others at 85. Always verify the exact requirement in your faculty handbook rather than relying on general figures.¹
| University | H1 (First Class) | H2A | H2B | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USyd¹ | 80+ (some faculties 85+) | 75-79 | 70-74 | Faculty resolutions vary; check yours |
| UNSW³ | 80+ | 75-79 | 70-74 | Each faculty sets its own Faculty WAM threshold |
| UniMelb² | 75+ (most faculties) | 70-74 | 65-69 | Verify with your faculty handbook |
| Monash⁴ | 80+ | 70-79 | 60-69 | Year-weighted WAM; 1st yr units count 0.5x |
| UQ⁵ | GPA 6.5-7.0 | GPA 5.5-6.49 | GPA 4.5-5.49 | UQ uses GPA not WAM; Engineering uses WGPA |
| QUT⁶ | GPA 6.20-7.0 | GPA 5.65-6.19 | GPA 5.00-5.64 | Updated 1 Jan 2023 |
These thresholds are indicative. Universities update their requirements and faculties often set different rules within the same institution. Always check your specific faculty's handbook or program rules before making academic decisions based on these figures.
Honours is an additional research year (or embedded final year) at AQF Level 8, and it is the standard entry pathway to a PhD in Australia. It involves a supervised research thesis alongside advanced coursework, and is graded on the H1/H2A/H2B/H3 scale that maps directly to your WAM.
Unlike GPA, which groups students into broad bands, WAM distinguishes between a 76 and an 83. When hundreds of students compete for limited honours places in a popular faculty, WAM is the primary ranking tool. A one-point WAM difference can determine whether you are offered a place.
Your WAM is set by the time you apply. A weak first year drags it down permanently at most universities. The exception is Monash, where first year units are half-weighted, giving you more room to recover.⁴ The earlier you track your running WAM, the more semesters you have to move the number. Track your running WAM in Grademate →
| Program type | Typical minimum WAM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Master's (coursework) | 65 | Most Australian universities |
| Master's (competitive Go8) | 70-75 | Check specific program |
| Master's (research) | 70+ | Plus honours or equivalent |
| PhD | H1 Honours equivalent | WAM rarely stated directly |
| Graduate Certificate | 60-65 | Lower threshold, varies widely |
These are minimums, not guarantees. Competitive programs at Go8 universities often have effective entry WAMs well above the stated minimum once you account for the applicant pool.
Your WAM is a running average: every semester either helps or hurts. A 65 WAM after first year is not fatal at most universities if you lift your marks significantly in later years, especially at Monash where first year is half-weighted.
The calculation that matters is forward, not just what your WAM is now. To know how achievable your target is, you need your current WAM, the total credit points you have completed, and the credit points still to go. With those three numbers you can work out exactly what average mark you need across your remaining subjects.
Grademate tracks your running WAM across every semester and shows you exactly where you stand. Import your courses from your university portal or add them manually. See your running WAM →
Sources
Your honours eligibility is decided by your WAM, and your WAM is decided one subject at a time.