Sydney’s universities are tightening admissions under a new policy, with the University of Sydney disbanding its guaranteed-entry scheme and caps potentially reducing student choice and raising ATAR thresholds.

UNSW raised minimum ATARs for several degrees—Arts from 80 to 83 and Commerce to 96—and capped intake, leading to around 1,000 fewer domestic offers and impacting school-leavers and university finances.

The policy is designed to divert enrolments to less-populated institutions and stabilize the system, while supporters argue it can fund higher education and expand access for disadvantaged students.

Administrators, including Western Sydney University’s vice-chancellor, broadly support improving access and say the goal is to enable entry regardless of circumstances.

Education minister Jason Clare defended the policy, highlighting plans for nationwide expansion of Commonwealth-supported places, including about 15,000 extra spots in 2027, though critics worry these locations and courses may not match student preferences.

Debate over the policy’s rationale continues: some view it as addressing regional access and literacy, while others argue it benefits elite institutions and reduces opportunities for low-SES students.

Students face uncertainty around offers, heightened competition, and potential need to relocate away from Sydney to attend university.

The shift to managed growth funding, with caps on domestic admissions replacing demand-driven funding, is controversial and critics say it will constrain access and push students away from preferred courses or Sydney institutions.

Other institutions, including the University of Technology Sydney and Macquarie University, reported fewer offers and admissions, with Macquarie’s leadership citing unintended consequences of the policy.