It is generally considered a postgraduate year because a bachelor's degree can be completed without it. Entry to an honours degree generally requires proven abilities and a distinction (75% or greater average) in the relevant area or the final-year units, and even then is quite competitive.

Is honours a postgraduate degree?

Honours. Some Australian universities offer an honours year as part of an undergraduate qualification. But it is generally considered a postgraduate year because a bachelor degree can be completed without it. ... An honours year contains both a research project and a course work component.

Is an honours the same as a Masters?

An honors degree is not a different degree. It is a system of grading that signifies that a student has completed his degree with distinction. Master's is a university degree that is obtained by students interested in pursuing higher studies beyond the undergraduate level degree.