The 2025 QCE ATAR results are now out, and for Queensland students, parents and teachers, they paint a clear picture: strong academic performance at the top end, and continued growth in vocational and mixed learning pathways across the state.
At KIS Academics, we work closely with QCE students every year, so we see firsthand what these numbers actually mean in practice — who’s excelling, which schools consistently perform well, and what separates strong results from outstanding ones. Below is a breakdown of the key outcomes from 2025, followed by our rankings of the top-performing schools in Queensland.
KIS Summary:
- Overview of the QCE 2025 ATAR results
- Ranks top schools based on the 2025 QCE ATAR result.
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Key QCE & ATAR Outcomes in 2025
In 2025, 57,909 students completed Year 12 in Queensland, with results showing both depth at the top and breadth across different pathways.
Key Statistics from the 2025 ATAR results
- 37 students achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95
- 25% of ATAR recipients achieved an ATAR of 90 or above, placing them in the top 10% nationally
- 93.4% of students were awarded a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE)
- 743 students from 185 schools achieved the highest possible result in at least one General or General (Extension) subject
- 40,760 students completed a VET Certificate I–IV or Diploma
- 1,683 students completed a university subject while still at school
What this shows is a system that’s doing two things well at once: supporting elite academic performance while also giving students meaningful non-ATAR and vocational pathways.
Schools That Produced the Very Top ATARs
At the absolute top end, Brisbane Grammar School stood out in 2025, with eight students achieving a perfect ATAR of 99.95 — a remarkable result that reinforces its reputation as Queensland’s strongest academic performer.
Each year, a small group of schools consistently produces a large share of the highest ATARs, largely due to strong subject scaling, deep teaching experience, and a culture that prioritises exam performance and assessment literacy.
The 2025 QCE ATAR Results
Overall, the 2025 cohort performed strongly, continuing the steady trend we’ve seen over the past few years. A solid proportion of students achieved ATARs above 90, with a competitive group pushing into the high-90s range.
What stood out this year wasn’t just the number of high ATARs, but how evenly strong the results were across the top schools. While a handful of elite private schools continue to dominate the very top end, selective public schools and academically focused state programs are clearly holding their own.
From what we’ve seen tutoring students this year, those who did best weren’t necessarily the “naturally smartest” — they were the ones who:
- understood how QCAA marks assessments,
- started exam prep early, and
- were strategic with subject selection and revision.
Top Performing Schools in Queensland (2025)
Top 10 Schools in Queensland (2025)
| School | Location | Sector | Median ATAR | ATAR 99+ (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brisbane Girls Grammar School | Brisbane | Non-government | 96.45 | 20.17% |
| 2 | Whitsunday Anglican School | Beaconsfield | Non-government | 96.00 | 28.00% |
| 3 | Brisbane Grammar School | Brisbane | Non-government | 95.00 | 17.00% |
| 4 | St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School | Corinda | Non-government | 94.95 | 10.00% |
| 5 | All Hallows’ School | Brisbane | Non-government | 93.40 | 8.00% |
| 6 | Matthew Flinders Anglican College | Buderim | Non-government | 92.45 | 15.09% |
| 7 | Canterbury College | Waterford | Non-government | 91.40 | — |
| 8 | John Paul College | Daisy Hill | Non-government | 91.00 | 12.00% |
| 9 | Townsville Grammar School | Townsville | Non-government | 91.00 | 11.00% |
| 10 | St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace | Brisbane | Non-government | 91.00 | — |
Top 10 Private Schools in Queensland (2025)
| School | Location | Median ATAR | ATAR 90+ (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brisbane Girls Grammar School | Brisbane | 96.45 | 84.55% |
| 2 | Whitsunday Anglican School | Beaconsfield | 96.00 | 72.00% |
| 3 | Brisbane Grammar School | Brisbane | 95.00 | 69.00% |
| 4 | St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School | Corinda | 94.95 | 85.00% |
| 5 | All Hallows’ School | Brisbane | 93.40 | 61.00% |
| 6 | Matthew Flinders Anglican College | Buderim | 92.45 | 60.38% |
| 7 | Canterbury College | Waterford | 91.40 | 54.00% |
| 8 | John Paul College | Daisy Hill | 91.00 | 53.00% |
| 9 | Townsville Grammar School | Townsville | 91.00 | 54.00% |
| 10 | St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace | Brisbane | 91.00 | 53.00% |
Top 10 Co-educational Schools (ranked by Schools360’s overall score)
| School | Location | Type | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Somerset College | Mudgeeraba | Independent co-educational | 90.5% |
| 2 | John Paul College | Daisy Hill | Independent co-educational | 88.7% |
| 3 | St Peters Lutheran College | Indooroopilly | Independent Lutheran co-educational | 88.4% |
| 4 | Matthew Flinders Anglican College | Buderim | Independent Anglican co-educational | 87.6% |
| 5 | The Rockhampton Grammar School | Rockhampton | Independent co-educational | 86.9% |
| 6 | Sunshine Coast Grammar School | Forest Glen | Independent co-educational | 86.3% |
| 7 | Westside Christian College | Goodna | Independent Christian co-educational | 84.9% |
| 8 | Hillbrook Anglican School | Enoggera | Independent Anglican co-educational | 84.2% |
| 9 | St Luke’s Anglican School | Bundaberg | Independent Anglican co-educational | 83.8% |
| 10 | Canterbury College | Waterford | Independent co-educational | 83.5% |
What These Results Mean for Students and Parents
One of the biggest takeaways from the 2025 QCE results is that strong outcomes don’t happen by accident. Across the top-performing schools, students are taught:
- how QCAA actually marks assessments,
- how to prepare for external exams early, and
- how to balance internal assessments with revision.
That said, we also see excellent ATARs every year from students outside these schools. With the right strategy, subject choices and support, students from any school can perform at a very high level.
How KIS Academics Helps QCE Students
At KIS Academics, we support QCE students across Queensland with:
- subject-specific tutoring,
- internal assessment feedback,
- exam technique and revision planning, and
- ATAR strategy across Years 11 and 12.
Our focus isn’t just on working harder — it’s on helping students study smarter and understand the system they’re being assessed under.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 QCE ATAR results highlight both elite academic achievement and the strength of Queensland’s diverse senior pathways. While certain schools continue to dominate the top end, success ultimately comes down to preparation, strategy and consistency.
If you’d like help navigating QCE subjects or maximising your ATAR potential, the KIS Academics team is always happy to help.
Looking for more study tips to get through QCE? Check these out! 👇
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
FAQs
How many students achieved a 99.95 ATAR in 2025?
In 2025, 37 Queensland students achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95. This places them among the very top academic performers in the state and nationally. Achieving a 99.95 ATAR requires consistently exceptional results across internal assessments and external exams, typically supported by strong subject choices, exam technique, and long-term preparation.
Is the QCE ATAR harder to achieve now than in previous years?
The QCE ATAR itself hasn’t become “harder” in a formal sense, but it has become more competitive at the top end. With a large cohort and strong-performing schools, students aiming for 90+ or 95+ ATARs need to be far more strategic than in the past — particularly with subject selection, assessment planning, and exam technique.
Can students still get a high ATAR without going to a top-ranked school?
Yes — absolutely. While top-ranked schools tend to produce more high ATARs overall, students from a wide range of Queensland schools achieve excellent results every year. From our experience at KIS Academics, students who understand QCAA marking criteria, prepare early for external exams, and seek targeted feedback often outperform peers from more traditionally “elite” schools.
Want more personalised guidance from past QCE high achievers? Check out our lineup of expert tutors with an average ATAR of 99.50 to unlock your academic potential.
