Australian grades and WAM converted to a US GPA
Australian universities grade with letter bands and often report a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) — a credit-weighted percentage — alongside a 7-point GPA. The letters are not the same as US letters.
The Australian grade bands
A High Distinction (HD) is typically 85% and above, a Distinction (D) 75–84%, a Credit (C) 65–74%, and a Pass (P) 50–64%. Note that a “D” in Australia is the second-highest grade, not a near-fail as in the US.
WAM vs GPA
The WAM is your average mark out of 100, weighted by credit and sometimes by year level. The Australian GPA is a separate 7-point figure (HD = 7, D = 6, C = 5, P = 4). Universities may ask for one or the other.
Mapping to a US 4.0 GPA
An HD generally reads as a US 4.0 (A), a D as roughly 3.7, a C as roughly 3.0, and a P as roughly 2.0 — approximate, and evaluator-dependent. The letter names make a straight letter-for-letter mapping wrong, so always convert from the percentage or the 7-point value.
Key takeaways
- Australian D (Distinction) is the second-highest grade, not a near-fail.
- WAM is a weighted percentage; the local GPA is a separate 7-point scale.
- HD→~4.0, D→~3.7, C→~3.0 on a US scale (estimates).
- Convert from the mark or 7-point GPA, never letter-for-letter.