1. VICTORIAN TERTIARY ADMISSIONS CENTRE
2015 VTAC Briefing

2. What does VTAC do? http://www.vtac.edu.au/
Central office that administers the application and offer process for places in tertiary courses at university, TAFE and Independent Tertiary Colleges.
VTAC also:
Calculates and issues the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for VCE students
Administers scholarship applications
Administers SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme)
Derived from the average of English and next 3 highest scores

3. VTAC Publications VTAC Guide 2016: $12 from newsagents
VTAC eGuide 2016: $4.99 RRP
Available from Google Play Books
Full entries for all courses, including selection criteria
Can be read on or off-line
VTAC eGuide
Sample - free download
ABC of Applying
VTAC Publications page on website
Demonstrate publications page
Show VTAC guide and ABC of applying

4. Keeping updated
Connect with VTAC to receive updates, tips, and timely reminders:
Subscribe to the VTAC Blog: blog.vtac.edu.au
Like VTAC on Facebook facebook.com/vtacguide
Follow VTAC on

5. The VTAC application process – key dates
Key dates for applications
Course, SEAS & scholarship applications open
9am Monday 3 August 2015
Timely applications close
5pm, Wednesday 30 September 2015
SEAS applications close
5pm, Tuesday 6 October 2015
Scholarship applications close
5pm, Friday 16 October 2015
VCE results and ATAR released online
7am Monday 14 December 2015
Round 1 offers released
Monday 18 January 2016
Full list of dates:
VTAC closing times generally 5pm but check website.
Annual selection cycle
Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) and Scholarships applications are optional, but strongly recommended
Late and Very Late application deadlines exist, but a higher application fee applies

6. Early closing dates Animation Dance Film & TV Screenwriting
University of Melbourne - the following VCA Fine Arts courses close on 28th August
Animation
Dance
Film & TV
Screenwriting

7. Where to find course information
Find Courses
Register and Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Where to find course information
VTAC eGuide
VTAC CourseSearch; NB: CourseSearch is updated regularly to reflect changes or amendments to course entries
Individual institution websites

8. Find Courses
Register and Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Fee types
FEE TYPES Course codes ending in: 1: Commonwealth supported places (CSP) – uni degrees 2: Domestic fee places (DFP) - degrees at TAFE & ITC courses 3: International fee places (IFP) – International students only 4: Fee-type determined by provider at enrolment (VET courses at TAFE)

9. Course types offered through VTAC
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Course types offered through VTAC
Higher Education courses
Undergraduate
Advanced Diploma
Associate Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Postgraduate
Graduate entry teaching
Graduate entry (other)
VET courses
Certificate II
Certificate III
Certificate IV
Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Year 12 students under 20 years of age are usually eligible for government subsidised places.
Course Type colour coded and has VET, HE, etc. label
VTAC accepts applications for Certificate II-IV courses through VTAC.
Certificate IV and above usually require successful completion of year 12 or VCAL.
Most year 12s – that is those under 20 – will be eligible for government subsidised courses.
Not relevant to Year 12 applicants

10. Course Groups Course Groupings
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Course Groups
Course Groupings
Monash, Swinburne and Victoria University list their courses in groups
Groups are displayed in both the VTAC eGuide 2016 and on CourseSearch
Courses may appear in more than one group
For example, an “Arts/Commerce” double degree may appear in both a “Humanities” and a “Business” group.

11. Applicant types Year 12 (Y12) Non-Year 12 (NY12)
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Applicant types
Year 12 (Y12)
Non-Year 12 (NY12)
Current year 12 students
Previously completed year 12
with no post-secondary studies or
have post-secondary studies up to Certificate III level
Previously attempted or completed post secondary study at Certificate IV or above, or
Currently enrolled in Year 12 but also have Cert. IV or above, or
Has no secondary studies and no post-secondary studies at Certificate IV or above.
Applicants will be automatically informed of their Y12/NY12 classification after registering with VTAC

12. Selection Data
Clearly-in ATAR: the point above which everyone who applied for a course received an offer
% below: percentage of course offers made to applicants below the clearly-in ATAR
Y12 offers: the number of offers made to current Year 12 applicants
Total offers: the total number of offers made for the course
Selection data are from last year’s application period for advisory purposes, not a cut-off or guarantee for this year
Clearly in ATAR is the point at or above which everyone was made an offer.
% below includes everyone who had a ‘real’ ATAR lower than the clearly in ATAR and was made an offer.
i.e. SEAS, subject bonus, work experience, etc.

13. Selection data: clearly-in and % below
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Selection data: clearly-in and % below
Applicants for an example course selecting on ATAR with 4 places and 6 applicants:
ATAR
Offered a place?
Harry
95.00
Yes
Zayn
90.00
+ subject bonus
= rank
Niall
85.00
Liam
80.00 No
Louis
75.00
+ SEAS
= rank
Justin
70.00
Clearly-in is 85.00: everyone at this ATAR or above received an offer
% below: One out of four offers was made to an applicant with an ATAR below 85.00, so the % below is 25%

14. Selection criteria Prerequisites
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Selection criteria
Prerequisites
Studies that must be successfully completed to be considered for a course
For example: minimum study score of 25 in Maths (Any).
Selection requirements
Additional requirements that must be completed by applicants
For example: sitting a test, presenting a folio, submission of an additional form, attending an interview or audition.
Additional considerations
Factors that are not compulsory, but if applicable may boost an application
For example: subject bonus, work experience, SEAS
Enrolment considerations
Tasks that should be completed prior to enrolling or starting a course
For example: Working With Children Check, police check, physical requirements

15. VTAC Registration is the first step in the application process
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
VTAC Registration is the first step in the application process
VTAC Registration
Course Application
SEAS Application
Scholarships Application
Other services: • Access offers • Supply documents • Update personal details • Change course preferences

16. Find Courses
Register and Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
VTAC Registration
Registration is a simple question-based process – takes 10 – 15 minutes
You will need your VCE number to register
Choose your own 4 digit VTAC PIN and you will be assigned a new VTAC ID.
All VTAC applications are completed online using your VTAC ID and password
Register in WB next week (or before)
Are you currently studying the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE, any unit level or VCAL), a standard interstate Australian year 12, or the International Baccalaureate (IB)  in Australia or New Zealand?
 Yes, studying VCE (including VCAL) or standard interstate Australian year 12
 Yes, studying IB in Australia or New Zealand
 No   
It is important that students use their VCAA number as part of the registration. But they will be allocated a VTAC ID. Put it somewhere safe. As usual they can choose their own PIN.
It is vital that all questions are answered accurately and honestly. Course offers may be withdrawn if it transpires that an applicant has provided incorrect information in the registration or application.

17. Registration – entering current enrolment information
Are you currently studying the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE, any unit level or VCAL), a standard interstate Australian year 12, or the International Baccalaureate (IB)  in Australia or New Zealand?
 Yes, studying VCE (including VCAL) or standard interstate Australian year 12
 Yes, studying IB in Australia or New Zealand
 No   
Current Year 12 students must answer this question correctly; You will be asked to enter your VCE student number during the registration process.

18. What if results can’t be matched?
Find Courses
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
What if results can’t be matched?
If you are unable to proceed with your registration, it is most likely because the date of birth on our school VASS system is wrong:
First, register using the date of birth on VTAC
Then contact Jacinta to update your date of birth
Call VTAC customer service ( ) to update your DOB. Schools Career staff cannot make this change.
If the date of birth is correct but you still cannot proceed:
Contact VTAC

19. Residency status  I am a New Zealand citizen Citizenship type:
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Residency status
Citizenship type:
 I am an Australian citizen
 I am a New Zealand citizen
 I have an Australian residency visa
(If residency visa ticked then the following 3 lines to appear)
What type of visa do you currently have?  temporary/student  permanent
When was this visa granted?
What is the visa sub class  (number or letter printed on visa)?  
Is your visa considered a “humanitarian visa”?  yes  no

20. Registration tips Registration Tips One registration only
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Registration tips
Registration Tips
One registration only
To correct errors, change the details online or call VTAC. Do not create another registration.
Use a personal, not school address
Some school addresses are deactivated by the time offer s are sent
Four digit PIN
Lost PINs can be retrieved from the log in form.
Nominate a proxy if needed
VTAC cannot discuss individual applications with anyone except the applicant and authorised nominee.

21. Find Courses Register and Apply SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
All applications are completed through the same User Account
Students will register in WB on 10th august
Demo user account released in August
VTAC will continue to provide careers practitioners a sample application so they have access to the user account
VTAC messages sent to as well as User Account inbox

22. Find Courses
Register and Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Personal statement
For year 12 students this is only required if you have relevant work experience
Check course entries under Selection requirements
Complete online through the VTAC user account
If not specified as a requirement by the course, selection officers are not obliged to consider the information provided
The VTAC Personal statement may be used as either a selection requirement or additional consideration.
For most Y12 selection requirements, the form is only required if the applicant has relevant work experience or if they have been out of school for a few years. Ensure your students read the detail carefully.
Advise students not to waste selection officers’ time by completing this form unless it’s required or relevant. Many courses include this in Additional considerations and ask applicants to complete it if they have ‘relevant’ work experience.

23. Applying for courses List up to 12 courses/institutions
Find Courses
Register and Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Applying for courses
List up to 12 courses/institutions
Preference order – always list them in the order you want to get into the course
To add course preferences: Select institution and/or course or type in the course code.
To move a course on the preference list use the up/down buttons.
To delete a course use the x button.
Be careful with X button – it will delete the course from the preference list.
Best to use the up down buttons.

24. Changing your Preferences
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Changing your Preferences
You can reorder, add, or delete course preferences free-of-charge with no limitations while Change of Preference is open
Change of Preference
Open now until 10 November (4pm)
Closes between 10 & 23 November
Closes again on 21 December
Open 4 January for one day
reopens at 10am the day after each offer round (until the last round).

25. Change of Preference periods and offer release dates
Find Courses
Register and Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Change of Preference periods and offer release dates
Also available at
Round
Change of Preference closes (4pm)
Offer release
Change of Preference reopens (10am)
Early Round (No offers made to Current Year 12)
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Friday, 20 November 2015
Monday, 23 November 2015
International Early Round
(Victorian Current Year 12)
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
Monday, 21 December 2015
Monday, 4 January 2016
International Round 1
(Australian Current Year 12)
Friday, 8 January 2016
Monday, 11 January 2016
Round 1*
Monday, 21 December 2015 (12pm)
Monday, 18 January 2016
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Round 2
Friday, 29 January 2016
Thursday, 4 February 2016
Friday, 5 February 2016
Round 3
Wednesday, 10 February 2016
Monday, 15 February 2016
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Round 4
Wednesday 17 February 2016
Monday, 22 February 2016
Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Round 5
Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Monday, 29 February 2016
(end of application period)
*Round 1 CoP reopens 10am to 4pm on Monday, 4 January to accommodate late release of IB and WA results

26. After submitting your course application
Find Courses
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
After submitting your course application
Application receipt sent by and in user account
Submit payment ($29 if apply by 30th September)
Deadline for payment 21st December
Unpaid applications are not submitted to institutions
Complete any applicable selection requirements
E.g. personal statement, information kit, etc.
Apply for SEAS and Scholarships
Change preferences and update personal information

27. Course application dates and fees
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Course application dates and fees
Ensure you pay the course application fee by the payment deadline
Fee determined by when you APPLY, not when you pay
Key course application dates for
Applications open
9am, Monday 3 August 2015
Timely applications close - $29 for current Year 12 students
5pm, Wednesday 30 September 2015
Late applications ($95) close
5pm, Friday 6 November 2015
Very late applications ($121) close
5pm, Friday 4 December 2015
Final payment deadline
4pm, Tuesday 15 December (International VCE applicants) 4pm, Monday 21 December (all applicants)
No extensions to closing dates are possible
Receipt ed to you
Course application fee is determined by application date, not payment date

28. Find Courses
Register and Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Applying for SEAS
You must submit your course application before you can access the SEAS application
Primarily for applicants who have suffered long-term disadvantage
SEAS allows selection officers at institutions to grant special consideration for course entry to applicants.
SEAS does not exempt applicants from meeting course requirements.
Applicants must meet course prerequisites, attend all interviews, sit any required tests, and submit all required folios and forms.
SEAS does not guarantee an offer
Apply for as many categories as are applicable

29. SEAS categories Category 1: Personal information and location
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
SEAS categories
Category 1: Personal information and location
As simple as ticking a box
All applicants should apply for this category
Category 2: Difficult circumstances
E.g. disruption to living situation, affected by death of relative/friend, natural disaster, refugee status
Category 3: Disadvantaged financial background
Category 4: Disability or medical condition
Provide a brief overview of each category and some examples.
New for category 1:
Living and school location can be postcode OR Statistical Area: Statistical Area is defined by the ABS, and is smaller and more precise than a postcode. Institutions have the choice of which to use.
First in family. Institutions can choose to give bonus points to applicants whose parents have not attended university.

30. Category 1 – Personal Information and Location
SEAS
Category 1 – Personal Information and Location
No documentation required
Consideration for circumstances based on information applicants provide when registering and/or applying for courses.
Applying for Category 1 is as simple as ticking a box giving VTAC permission for those circumstances to be considered.
All applicants should apply for this category.
Category 1 includes:
Age
Gender
Living or school location
Recognition as an Indigenous Australian
Under-represented schools
Non-English speaking background
First in family (new)

31. SEAS documentation SEAS documentation is required for:
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SEAS documentation
SEAS documentation is required for:
Difficult circumstances
Disability or Medical condition
You must provide:
Impact statement – written by YOU
Statement of Support – written by relevant responsible person
Impact statements without an accompanying statement of support will not be considered.
For more information about SEAS documentation, visit
Category 1:
No documentation needed
Applying for this category grants permission for use of personal information from course application
Categories 2 and 4 require an impact statement and statement of support
Category 3: on next slides

32. Category 4 – Disability or medical Condition
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Category 4 – Disability or medical Condition
Educational disadvantage as a result of a disability or medical condition (physical or mental health condition) experienced by the applicant.
Must provide an impact statement and a statement of support from the treating healthcare professional that details the condition, its duration and impact.
Important to start make appointments now to ensure your statement of support is ready before the closing date.

33. SEAS impact statements
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SEAS impact statements
SEAS Impact Statements
Impact statements should include how circumstances have adversely affected:
Ability to study and perform assessment tasks
Access to educational resources
Attendance at school
Good impact statements are:
Personal and sincere
Succinct
Explain the context, date and impact of the disadvantage on your studies
Impact statements must be completed online by the applicant.

34. SEAS statements of support
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SEAS and Scholarships
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Offers
SEAS statements of support
SEAS Statements of Support
Applicants should ask those providing a statement of support to:
Clearly outline the situation, or if Category 4 (disability or medical) condition
Include a timeline, such as how long they have known (or been treating) the applicant
Outline how the applicant has been impacted
Contact the person you want to write your Statement of Support now
Evidence and impact is the key.

35. How to provide statements of support
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
How to provide statements of support
Can be uploaded electronically by provider – need providers address; this is easiest option
Scanned and uploaded into user account by student
Hard copy by post to VTAC – download cover sheet from user account
Online statements of support can be used for both SEAS and scholarships (if you select that option).

36. Find Courses
Register and Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Scholarships
VTAC collects scholarship applications for many institutions
Merit (Academic performance)
Automatically considered for scholarships by institutions included on your VTAC application – don’t need to apply separately
Equity and Access (for students who have experienced disadvantage)
All SEAS applicants should apply for an equity and access scholarship through VTAC
Separate VTAC scholarship application required
Supporting documentation required – can use SEAS documents
Scholarships are not only about academic performance. They are about a range of things.
One application, hundreds of scholarships.

37. Scholarships Other scholarships available:
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Scholarships
Other scholarships available:
Direct applications to individual institutions
Many offered by industry and philanthropic organisations
To find out more about other scholarship opportunities:
VTAC website: List of scholarships not administered by VTAC
Scholarship resource available in VCE Lounge and Careers office
Individual institution websites
MyFuture website ( : search by field of study, State, scholarship type
Scholarships are not only about academic performance. They are about a range of things.
One application, hundreds of scholarships.

38. More about the ATAR………..
The ATAR is a number from 0.05 to which reflects a Year 12 student’s rank in overall VCE performance among their age group.
The ATAR allows institutions to compare students even though they have taken different combinations of VCE subjects.
It’s a tool – not the be all and end all or a number designed to inspire fear and awe in students - your ATAR does not define you!
Your ATAR may determine your starting point, but it does NOT determine the rest of your educational or career journey
There are a myriad of alternative pathways to get to get into your dream course/career

39. The ATAR - How the ATAR is calculated
Highest eligible English group subject
Next highest eligible subject
10% of next highest (or other increment)
The “Primary 4” subjects (required to receive an ATAR)
Increments (only if available)
The VTAC Scaled Study Scores of the Primary 4 subjects and any available increments are added together to produce an aggregate score
The aggregate score is then converted to an ATAR – the rank which shows how well a student has performed compared to other students
For example, an ATAR of means that a student has outperformed 60% of Year 12 age students
English group includes English, English as an Additional Language, Literature, and English Language
The aggregate to ATAR table is available on the VTAC website in the reports and statistics section

40. VTAC application preparation
Pathways planning activity WB 10 August
Set up your VTAC user account
Complete Pathways Planning worksheet
Tip: Use the shortlist function on VTAC CourseSearch and your shortlist to yourself. Bring your shortlist to your careers meeting.
I:1 interviews with Careers Counsellor commencing Wednesday 11th August to finalise course preferences/VTAC application/plans for 2016 – ALL students to sign up.
Interview sign up sheet in VCE Lounge
You must register on VTAC and have done your course research before your interview!
Bring your preparation worksheets/course short list with you to your interview.

41. THANK YOU
QUESTIONS?