Australia grade conversion to the Dutch grading system
Use the converter to estimate how a Australia grade (Australian percentage grades (HD/D/CR/P/F)) maps onto the Dutch 1–10 scale, then check the full table below.
Type your grade above to see the indicative Dutch equivalent.
Indicative only. Official conversion requires a credential evaluation.
Australia → Dutch grade conversion table
Australian universities commonly use percentage marks with High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, Pass and Fail bands; the pass mark is normally 50%. Some institutions use slightly different HD/D/CR cut-offs or GPA scales, so official transcripts should be checked.
| Home grade | Dutch grade (1–10) | Level |
|---|---|---|
| HD - High Distinction (85-100%) | 8.0–8.5 | excellent |
| DI/D - Distinction (75-84%) | 7.5–8.0 | very good |
| CR - Credit (65-74%) | 7.0–7.4 | good |
| PS/P - Pass (50-64%) | 5.5–6.5 | pass |
| FA/F - Fail (0-49%) | 1.0–5.4 | fail |
How the Dutch 1–10 scale works
Dutch grades run from 1 to 10, with 5.5 the minimum pass. Most grades fall between 6 and 8; a 9 is rare and a 10 is almost never awarded. Read more in our Dutch grading system guide.
Will my grades be good enough?
For Dutch admissions, Nuffic compares Australian senior secondary certificates with ATAR 60-85 to HAVO and ATAR 86+ to VWO, while an Australian bachelor’s degree is comparable to an HBO or WO bachelor’s degree. For university results, Dutch institutions usually read HD/Distinction performance as strong and Pass-level work as meeting only the minimum standard rather than converting percentages linearly.
Important: this is indicative only
These conversions are estimates. An official grade conversion requires a formal credential evaluation, and each university makes its own admission decision. See our credential evaluation and ECTS credits guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is a passing grade in the Dutch system?
The Netherlands uses a 1–10 scale where 5.5 is the minimum pass. Grades cluster between 6 and 8; a 9 is rare and a 10 is almost never awarded.
How do Australia grades convert to the Dutch scale?
Australian universities commonly use percentage marks with High Distinction, Distinction, Credit, Pass and Fail bands; the pass mark is normally 50%. Some institutions use slightly different HD/D/CR cut-offs or GPA scales, so official transcripts should be checked. The table on this page maps each band of the Australian percentage grades (HD/D/CR/P/F) system to its indicative Dutch 1–10 equivalent.
What grade do I need for admission to a Dutch university from Australia?
For Dutch admissions, Nuffic compares Australian senior secondary certificates with ATAR 60-85 to HAVO and ATAR 86+ to VWO, while an Australian bachelor’s degree is comparable to an HBO or WO bachelor’s degree. For university results, Dutch institutions usually read HD/Distinction performance as strong and Pass-level work as meeting only the minimum standard rather than converting percentages linearly.
Is this conversion official?
No. These figures are indicative. An official conversion requires a credential evaluation — see our credential-evaluation guide. Universities make the final decision.
What is the highest band (HD - High Distinction (85-100%)) worth in Dutch grades?
A HD - High Distinction (85-100%) result corresponds to roughly a Dutch 8–8.5 (excellent).
Sources: Nuffic — Australia education system — https://www.nuffic.nl/en/education-systems/australia; University of Sydney — Guide to grades — https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.html; RMIT University — Results and grades / GPA — https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/my-course/assessment-results/results-grades/gpa; Scholaro — Australia grading system — https://www.scholaro.com/db/Countries/Australia/Grading-System