How can we better match students to tertiary pathways where they are most likely to succeed?
The ATAR has long shaped tertiary admissions in Australia, yet a single ranking cannot fully capture students’ strengths, capabilities and readiness for diverse pathways.
Matching for Success is a research and innovation program led by the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Metrics team. Our experts have developed robust, next-generation assessments of complex competencies that extend beyond traditional examinations, providing richer evidence of the skills that matter for success in higher education and employment.
Our flagship ARC Linkage Project, “A next-generation approach for selecting school leavers for university,” is working with schools, systems, tertiary admissions centres and universities to explore how these new forms of evidence can be used alongside — and where appropriate, instead of — the ATAR.
Our aim is to support tertiary selection processes that are fair, transparent and evidence-informed; broaden access and equity; strengthen retention and student success; and better match learners with pathways where they are most likely to thrive.
The Matching for Success Project is led by The University of Melbourne academics Prof. Sandra Milligan, Dr. Toshiko Kamei, Prof. Pasi Sahlberg and Prof. Glenn Savage and includes Prof. James Tognolini from The University of Sydney and Prof. John Fischetti from The University of Newcastle, all working in collaboration with industry partners.
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Objectives
We aim to ensure that tertiary selection and recruitment processes:
are universal, fair, equitable, transparent and empowering for all
are efficacious for tertiary institutions and schools
inform equity, retention and student success initiatives
align with schools' knowledge of how to support learners to thrive at school and beyond
AssessFest
AssessFest is an annual event that brings together educators, school and sector leaders, researchers, policy makers, tertiary admissions representatives and students to explore and shape the future of assessment, recognition and pathways in Australian schooling and beyond. The event focuses on sharing and advancing work on assessing complex competencies, learner profiles and alternative credentials, fostering practical collaboration across sectors, and advancing national conversations about moving from traditional ranking systems towards broader, competency-based approaches to support better student matching with post-school opportunities.
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Is your organisation interested in the research? Get in touch with the Matching for Success team.