Here's the short answer: Not as much as you think.
Whether you're stressing about your high school grades, second-guessing your university grades, or wondering if that pass grade on your transcript will haunt you forever, take a breath. Yes, your academic performance might help you get past an initial application filter, but once you land a job interview, Australian employers care far more about your attitude, your people skills, and whether you'll genuinely fit into their team.
In fact, 91% of Australian employers now use skills-based hiring, making Australia a global leader in moving beyond grades-focused recruitment. The world of work has changed — and that's genuinely good news for anyone willing to show up with the right mindset.
Let's be honest: grades aren't meaningless. Strong high school grades can help you access Australian universities or vocational pathways. Good grades at university can get your application noticed for competitive graduate programmes. But here's where it gets interesting — and reassuring.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia's 2024 Recruitment Experiences and Outlook Survey, employers operate a clear two-stage hiring process:
At the application stage, around 50% of employers look for evidence of relevant experience and skills, while 26% prioritise qualifications and licences. This is where your academic performance might give you an edge.
At the interview stage, priorities shift dramatically. Almost half of all employers said the candidate's approach and attitude to work was the single most important factor, followed closely by cultural fit and personality.
What does this mean for you? Your transcript might help you get a foot in the door. But it's your energy, your communication style, and how you present yourself in the job interview that actually lands you the position.
The same research found that 77% of employers consider the interview the most important part of the recruitment process. That's where hiring decisions are really made — not in your marks column.
If you're a university student worried about your weighted average mark, or someone who scraped through with a pass grade instead of a high distinction, it helps to understand how employers actually view academic results.
Australian universities typically use grading systems that range from Fail through to High Distinction. Many students assume employers scrutinise every detail — calculating your weighted average, noting whether you needed supplementary assessment to pass certain subjects, and comparing you against academic achievers who graduated with perfect scores.
The reality? Most employers don't dive that deep.
TestGorilla's State of Skills-Based Hiring 2024 report found that 91% of Australian employers now use skills-based hiring practices — tied with Latin America for the highest rate globally, and well above the 81% worldwide average.
Why have so many employers moved away from grades-focused assessment and recruitment? Because focusing on academic performance alone doesn't predict job success. Organisations using skills-based hiring report:
It's not just employers who prefer this approach, either. 70% of Australian workers say they'd rather be assessed on their skills than their credentials.
The encouraging message? What you can do — and who you are — matters more than whether you achieved a high distinction or just scraped a pass grade five years ago.
If high school grades and university grades aren't the deciding factor, what is?
Hays recruitment surveys of approximately 3,500 employers reveal the soft skills Australian hiring managers value most:
|
Skill |
% of Employers Who Prioritise It |
|
Teamwork |
81% |
|
Problem-solving |
79% |
|
Communication |
74% |
|
Adaptability |
70% |
|
Critical thinking |
63% |
|
Time management |
60% |
|
Emotional intelligence |
53% |
You'll notice what's absent from that list: grade point averages, weighted average marks, or any mention of high distinction results.
This aligns with CSIRO research analysing 12 million Australian job ads, which found demand for interpersonal skills surged post-pandemic. Remote job postings were 1.2 times more likely to mention interpersonal skills than face-to-face roles — a clear signal that employers increasingly value how you collaborate and communicate, not just what your academic transcript shows.
Looking ahead, Deloitte Access Economics projects that soft skill-intensive occupations will account for two-thirds of all Australian jobs by 2030, growing 2.5 times faster than other roles.
The practical takeaway? Investing in your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities isn't just beneficial — it's essential for long-term career success, regardless of what education systems you came through.
The statistics tell one story. Industry leaders confirm it.
Andrew Morris, Director of Robert Half Australia, told The Global Recruiter:
"Higher academic qualifications are no longer the primary pathway for those entering the workforce to achieve their career goals. While higher education is certainly considered a strength in the eyes of an employer, it doesn't reflect a candidate's growth potential, industry familiarity, or cultural alignment with a company."
Ben Reeves, Head of the Australian Association of Graduate Employers, explained to GradConnection:
"Marks are an important early indicator, but they aren't the be-all and end-all. Academic aptitude is a poor indicator by itself of whether a graduate will be a good fit for an organisation."
The consistent theme? Employers want to understand the full picture of who you are — and your assessment and grades from high school or Australian universities represent just one small part of that story. Even academic achievers with perfect scores need to demonstrate they can work well with others and adapt to real workplace challenges.
If you're reading this and thinking, "That's reassuring, but how do I actually build the skills employers want?" — you're already asking the right question. Whether you're a current university student, a recent graduate, or someone who left the education system years ago, there are practical pathways forward.
One of the most effective ways to develop job-ready skills (without the pressure of traditional assessment and grades) is through nationally recognised training. At MCI Institute, our business courses, leadership and management courses, and human resources courses are designed for people who want workplace-relevant qualifications — not just another credential to add to the pile.
Unlike Australian universities with their weighted average calculations and high-stakes exams, our competency-based approach means no exams and no stressful grading systems. You're assessed on whether you can actually apply skills in real workplace contexts.
→ Book a free career consult to explore your options with our team.
If your high school grades or university grades don't reflect your full potential — maybe you struggled with traditional education systems, needed supplementary assessment to pass, or simply weren't in the right headspace during your studies — that's okay. Here's how to position yourself as the candidate employers genuinely want to hire:
QILT data shows that 19% of graduates with work-integrated learning secured employment with their placement employer, while another 10% found jobs through contacts made during placements. Experience creates opportunities — even part-time, volunteer, or project-based work counts. A university student with average grades but strong internship experience often outperforms academic achievers with no real-world exposure.
With 81% of employers valuing teamwork and 79% prioritising problem-solving, you need concrete examples ready. Think about times you've resolved conflicts, contributed to a group project, handled a challenging customer, or adapted quickly to unexpected changes. These stories resonate far more strongly in a job interview than reciting your weighted average mark.
The Australian Government has invested $18.5 million in micro-credentials, and over 60% of Australian organisations plan to invest in them over the next year. Short, targeted qualifications in high-demand areas can complement your existing experience and strengthen your CV — without the pressure of traditional grading systems.
If you're drawn to credentials that focus on practical, real-world skills (with no exams and flexible online study), explore MCI's project management courses or our leadership and management pathway.
Since 77% of employers consider the job interview the most important recruitment stage, your preparation here may matter more than your academic performance ever did. Research the company, practise your STAR responses (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and come ready to demonstrate genuine enthusiasm and cultural fit.
If an interviewer raises your academic results — whether you achieved a pass grade, required supplementary assessment, or simply didn't reach high distinction level — stay composed. Acknowledge your results briefly, then redirect to what you've learned and accomplished since: your work experience, your growth, your commitment to ongoing development. Employers respect self-awareness and a forward-focused mindset far more than a defensive reaction about past academic performance.
The answer varies by field. Some industries place greater emphasis on formal qualifications and good grades than others.
According to the 2024 QILT Employer Satisfaction Survey, here's how employers rated the importance of qualifications by sector:
|
Industry |
% Rating Qualifications "Very Important" or "Important" |
|
Education |
80% |
|
Architecture/Building |
78.3% |
|
Health |
78.2% |
|
Engineering |
67.1% |
|
Management/Commerce |
48% |
|
Information Technology |
48.9% |
|
Creative Arts |
38.1% |
If you're pursuing healthcare, education, or engineering, credentials and academic performance carry more weight. These fields often have regulatory requirements that make formal qualifications from Australian universities essential.
But even in these industries, your attitude, practical experience, and interpersonal skills play a significant role once you've passed initial screening. And for business, IT, and creative industries? Your skills and experience often matter far more than whether you achieved a high distinction or a pass grade.
Some do — particularly for graduate programmes or roles requiring specific qualifications. However, Jobs and Skills Australia research shows that most employers shift their focus to attitude, cultural fit, and job interview performance once candidates reach the interview stage. Many employers won't enquire about your academic performance at all, and very few will ask for your weighted average or care whether you needed a supplementary assessment.
Absolutely. 91% of Australian employers now prioritise skills over credentials. If you can demonstrate relevant experience, strong soft skills, and a positive attitude, average high school grades or university grades won't prevent you from building a meaningful career. You don't need to be among the academic achievers to succeed professionally.
For most Australian employers, experience and attitude matter more once you're past initial screening. Ben Reeves from the Australian Association of Graduate Employers puts it directly: a candidate with solid experience and average marks is often "far more attractive" than someone with a high distinction average but limited real-world involvement.
Focus on building practical experience (even volunteer or casual work counts), developing your soft skills through real situations, and considering targeted qualifications like a Certificate IV or Diploma that demonstrate job-ready competencies. Thorough job interview preparation is equally critical — it's your opportunity to truly differentiate yourself beyond your academic performance.
For most roles, no. High school grades primarily influence entry into Australian universities or certain training pathways. Once you've gained further qualifications or work experience, employers rarely ask about your Year 12 results. Whether you excelled or barely achieved a pass grade in high school, your recent experience and demonstrated skills become far more relevant to hiring managers.
While maintaining reasonable academic performance matters, don't let assessment and grades consume all your energy. Use your time as a university student to build experience through internships, part-time work, or volunteering. Develop your soft skills through group projects and extracurricular activities. These investments often pay greater dividends in your job search than obsessing over whether you'll achieve a high distinction in every subject.
Here's what the research consistently reveals: Australian employers have largely moved beyond grades-focused hiring. They want people who can collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, solve problems creatively, and bring a positive attitude to their work.
If your high school grades or university grades aren't perfect — whether you struggled with traditional grading systems, needed supplementary assessment, or simply weren't among the academic achievers — that's genuinely okay. Your academic performance is just one chapter of your story. What matters now is what you choose to do next: the experience you build, the skills you develop, and how you present yourself in every job interview.
Your career potential extends far beyond any transcript, weighted average, or whether you achieved a high distinction or a pass grade.
Ready to explore your next step? Whether you're a university student planning ahead, considering a career change, or looking to upskill beyond traditional education systems, book a free career consult with MCI Institute. Our team will help you identify a pathway that plays to your strengths — with flexible study, dedicated mentorship, and no exams.
You are in the right place! Please book a free career consultation with one of our course advisors. They will help you define your goals and match you with the skills and training that will guide you towards success.