1. Applying for tertiary study in Victoria
VICTORIAN TERTIARY ADMISSIONS CENTRE
40 Park Street, South Melbourne, VIC 3205
Telephone:
Applying for tertiary study in Victoria
A complete guide to applying for courses, special consideration, and scholarships in Victoria
Twitter: twitter.com/vtacguide | Blog: blog.vtac.edu.au | Facebook: | YouTube:

2. About VTAC
VTAC is the central body for applications to Victorian universities, TAFEs, and Independent Tertiary Colleges.
VTAC calculates the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for Victorian Year 12 students.
Connect with VTAC to receive updates, tips, and timely reminders:
Blog: blog.vtac.edu.au (subscribe by )
Facebook: facebook.com/vtacguide
To apply to interstate institutions visit: YXRlIiwiYXBwbGljYXRpb24iLCJhcHBsaWNhdGlvbiciXQ
Following VTAC on Facebook or Twitter means you’ll get reminders of key dates in your news feed.

3. Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships Change of Preference Offers
Common statement – ‘I have no idea’. Not always true. Don’t need to have a profession necessarily (generalist & specialist courses), very common position, limited experience & knowledge of the workplace, challenging employment market, exciting time
McCrindle Research from 2013 has suggested in 
average
 job
 tenure
 will
 be
 around
 3
 years
 (4
 years 
today). More than 1in3 workers will be employed on a casual basis
They
 will work
 longer 
than 
previous 
generations
 with
 the 
retirement
 age
and pension
 age
 pushed back. They will have 
an 
average
 of 
6
 careers 
in their 
lifetime.

4. Find Courses
Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
CourseSearch
Free online keyword search tool for all tertiary institutions in Victoria
Advanced search options include filtering by institution, area of interest, and qualification level
Available at
CourseSearch available from late July

5. The VTAC App The VTAC Year 11 and 12 Guide
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Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
The VTAC App
Available to download for free
Browse course information online or offline
Available for download in August from the Google Play & Apple App stores
The VTAC Year 11 and 12 Guide
Provided to all Yr 12 students on 25th of July, 2018
Information on applying & researching future study options
Apps available from 1 August

6. Higher Education courses
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Course types
VET courses
Certificate II
Certificate III
Certificate IV
Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Higher Education courses
Undergraduate
Advanced Diploma
Associate Degrees
Bachelor
Masters
Graduate entry teaching
There are two types of courses through VTAC:
Higher education and VET courses.
They are colour coded differently.
Year 12 students ignore Grad and GET, they are for adults with existing qualifications.
Course codes ending in ‘1’ are government subsidised.
Course codes ending in ‘2’ are fee based domestic courses
Course codes ending in ‘3’ are international fee based courses

7. Course entries Use the arrows to expand sections
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Course entries
Use the arrows to expand sections
Every course entry contains:
Course name
Qualification name
Campuses offered
Course overview
Major studies
Selection criteria
Selection data
Course name vs. Qualification name
Campuses – different course codes, select the right one when applying
Selection data, selection criteria covered in later slides

8. Selection criteria Prerequisites Selection requirements
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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 English (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, CASPer (all teaching qualifications from 2018)
Other Additional Considerations
Factors that are not compulsory, but if applicable may boost an application
For example: subject bonus, work experience
Other Information
Tasks that should be completed prior to enrolling or starting a course
For example: Working With Children Check, police check, physical requirements, Immunisations
Prerequisites: For example: minimum study score of 25 in English (Any).
Selection requirements: For example: sitting a test, presenting a folio, submission of an additional form, attending an interview or audition.
Enrolment considerations: For example: Working With Children Check, police check, physical requirements
Additional considerations: For example: subject bonus, work experience

9. Lowest Selection Rank explained
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SEAS and Scholarships
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Lowest Selection Rank explained
Applicants for an example course selecting on ATAR with 4 places and 6 applicants:
ATAR
Offered a place?
Mel
95.00
Yes
Geri
90.00
+ subject bonus
= rank
Victoria
85.00
Emma
80.00 No AJ
75.00
+ SEAS
= rank
Howie
70.00
Lowest Selection Rank is 85.00: everyone at this ATAR (non-adjusted or adjusted) 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%
A course has a specific number of places available each year
Usually, there are more applicants than places available
Selection Officers for each course rank applicants based on the criteria specified in the Selection Criteria for each course.
Explain that the clearly-in is the point above which everyone who applied for a course received an offer based on their ATAR
% below could be due to SEAS, subject bonus, consideration of work experience

10. Subject Bonus Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Subject Bonus
Applicants for an example course selecting on ATAR with 4 places and 6 applicants:
ATAR
Offered a place?
Mel
95.00
Yes
Geri
90.00
+ subject bonus
= rank
Victoria
85.00
Emma
80.00 No AJ
75.00
+ SEAS
= rank
Howie
70.00
A course has a specific number of places available each year
Usually, there are more applicants than places available
Selection Officers for each course rank applicants based on the criteria specified in the Selection Criteria for each course.
Explain that the clearly-in is the point above which everyone who applied for a course received an offer based on their ATAR
% below could be due to SEAS, subject bonus, consideration of work experience

11. Parade College Automatic School Bonuses
La Trobe Priority Access Program
Priority School = 5pts
Priority Campus = 5pts
Access ACU
Schools Relationship Bonus = 5pts
Early Entry Programs
LATROBE ASPIRE
ACU – COMMUNITY ACHIEVERS PROGRAM
ACU – PASSION FOR BUSINESS / LAW
Aim
Community-minded students to gain access to university programs
Passionate business-minded / law minded students to gain access to university programs
Requirements
*Engaged in volunteering activities
*Meet course pre-requisites
*Meet minimum ATAR requirements (not clearly-in)
*Meet minimum ATAR requirements (not clearly-in)
*Complete Yr 11 and/or 12 business-related / law related subject/s
*Pass Yr 12 English
*Business No Minimum ATAR
*Law Minimum ATAR 78
Application
Online Written (Open Now)
Closes 31st August 2018
Closes 31st July 2018
Online written (Open Now)
Benefits
Early offer into course, free VCE revision lectures in lead up to exams, access to the LaTrobe Library on all campuses
Early offer into course
Minimum ATARS:
70 - Law, Law dual, Physio
65 - Occ. Therapy & Speech Path, Education
All other degrees
Early offer into course (Sept 2018), textbook voucher, mentoring program during studies, transition program, Leadership & Professional Development program

12. Find Courses
Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers

13. Create a VTAC account Fees $36.00 $105.00 $137.00
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Create a VTAC account
All VTAC applications are completed online using the same VTAC ID and PIN
Creating an account is a simple question-based process
Fees
Timely Application
VTAC Account created & at least one preference listed BEFORE 27 September 2018 (5pm)
Late Application
VTAC Account created & at least one preference listed between 27 September (5pm) & 2 November (5pm)
Very Late Application
VTAC Account created & at least one preference listed between 2 November (5pm) & 7 December (5pm)
$36.00
$105.00
$137.00
If you have a student who is currently enrolled, they are current!
If they get this question wrong, we do check.
If a student gets this question wrong the following automatically happens:
They will be charged the full processing fee – not the current year 12 processing fee.
VTAC will not look for the VCE results when they are released in December and their results and ATAR won’t be matched to their course application.
What to do if they get it wrong: Tell the student to telephone immediately. If the processing fee hasn’t been paid, then it can probably be fixed. If the processing fee has been paid, there is no reimbursement.
There is no point contacting schools liaison unless the student themselves makes direct contact with the customer service area, nothing can be changed.

14. Tips for a VTAC account Only create one VTAC account
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Tips for a VTAC account
Only create one VTAC account
For current Year 12 applicants, use a personal, not school address
Choose a secure PIN and security questions
Nominate a proxy if needed
VTAC cannot discuss your application with anyone except the applicant (not even parents) unless the applicant has specified an authorised nominee when registering.
One registration only
To correct errors, change the details online or call VTAC. Do not create another registration.
For current Year 12 applicants, 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 your application with anyone except you (not even your parents) unless you have specified an authorised nominee when registering.

15. VTAC account Find Courses Apply SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
VTAC account
Highlight location of message inbox – a copy also sent to

16. Applying for courses List up to eight courses/institutions
Find Courses
Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Applying for courses
List up to eight courses/institutions
Preference order – always list courses in the order you want to get into them
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.
There are some courses that have an early closing date. Once this date has passed, they can no longer be added to a preference list. EG: Medicine, Fine Arts (These details will be listed under ‘Additional Information’ on the Course Listing)
Be careful with X button

17. After submitting course application
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SEAS and Scholarships
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Offers
After submitting course application
Application receipt sent by and in user account
Submit payment by the closing date
Unpaid applications are not submitted to institutions
Complete any applicable selection requirements
E.g. personal statement, providing any documents requested by VTAC
Apply for SEAS and Scholarships
Change preferences and update personal information

18. Find Courses
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Personal statement
A statement for course selection officers to consider, completed online through the VTAC user account
Writing prompts include motivation for study, academic performance, and previous relevant work experience
If not specified as a requirement by the course, selection officers are not obliged to consider the information provided
Usually not required for current Year 12 applicants; check course entries
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.
The same statement is provided to all courses on your preferences list (except the course-specific statement)
Four general questions plus one course-specific statement for each preference.
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.

19. Find Courses
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers

20. Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)
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SEAS and Scholarships
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Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)
Primarily for students who have suffered disadvantage that has affected their education either in the short or long-term
Except: Category 1 (Personal Information and Location) – everyone should apply
SEAS allows selection officers at institutions to grant special consideration for course entry to applicants.

21. Find Courses
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
What can SEAS do?
SEAS does not exempt students from meeting course requirements.
Students must study course prerequisites, attend all interviews, sit any required tests, and submit all required folios and forms.
SEAS is not a guaranteed entry scheme or reserved quota, but may allow students to gain entry to a course with a lower ATAR
ATAR
Offered a place?
Mel
95.00
Yes
Geri
90.00
+ subject bonus
= rank
Victoria
85.00
Emma
80.00 No AJ
75.00
+ SEAS
= rank
Howie
70.00
Show how in the example from earlier, special consideration through SEAS allowed AJ to get an offer ahead of Emma, even though AJ’s ATAR was lower.

22. Find Courses
Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Applying for SEAS
SEAS application becomes available after a course application is submitted
All applicants (Y12 and NY12) can apply for SEAS
All of the categories will be on one page
Apply for as many categories as are applicable, but do not claim the same circumstances under multiple categories

23. SEAS categories Category 1: Personal information and location
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SEAS categories
Category 1: Personal information and location
As simple as ticking a box (or two)
All applicants should apply for this category
Category 2: Disadvantaged financial background
Evidence = Centrelink documentation OR Impact Statement & Statement of Support
Category 3: Disability or medical condition
Evidence = Impact Statement & Statement of Support from the treating healthcare professional
Category 4: Difficult circumstances
E.g. disruption to living situation, affected by illness or death of relative/friend, natural disaster, refugee status
Evidence = Impact Statement & Statement of Support
Do not claim the same circumstances under multiple categories

24. SEAS documentation Impact statement – written by applicant
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SEAS documentation
Impact statement – written by applicant
Statement of support – written by relevant responsible person
Cannot be a relative or person living with the student
For more information about SEAS documentation, visit

25. Find Courses
Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Scholarships
VTAC collects scholarship applications for many institutions
One application, many institutions
Scholarships are not just for academic performance
Many equity scholarships have similar documentation requirements to SEAS
Statements must be submitted separately for each using the correct coversheet.
List of scholarships available on the VTAC website
Including scholarships which require direct applications to institutions

26. Find Courses
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers

28. Find Courses
Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Change of Preference
Students can change course preferences free-of-charge as many times as they’d like while Change of Preference is open including between offer rounds
opens at the same time as course applications;
closes a short time before each offer round; and
reopens at 10am the day after each offer round (until the last round)
only preferences higher than an existing offer will be considered for change of preference

29. Change of Preference stays open
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Change of Preference stays open
Remember, even though students can change their preferences between offer rounds, the majority of offers are made in Round 1.
Some courses may fill all their places in earlier rounds, so it is important to consider preferences carefully prior to Round 1
Full list of offer rounds and opening and closing dates at
Emphasise that change of preference AFTER Round 1 is more of a backup/emergency option. Far fewer offers are available at this point.

30. Find Courses
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers

31. Offers are available on the release date by:
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Accessing an offer
Offers are available on the release date by:
In the applicant’s VTAC account
(If given permission) in newspaper supplements
The offer advice will contain a message from the institution with enrolment instructions.
One offer per round
ed to applicants from midnight on the day of offer release
Available online in the VTAC user account
Published in newspaper supplements (if permission was given during application)

32. Find Courses
Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Responding to an offer
To accept an offer, follow the instructions in the offer advice to enrol at the institution.
No separate acceptance notification to VTAC is needed.
To defer an offer, contact the institution.
Not all courses allow deferment.
To reject an offer, take no action.
The offer will automatically lapse if you have not enrolled by the deadline.
One offer per round
ed to applicants from midnight on the day of offer release
Available online in the VTAC account
Published in newspaper supplements (if permission was given during application)

33. Didn’t get an offer, or the offer wanted?
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SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Didn’t get an offer, or the offer wanted?
Applicants will be automatically considered for any higher preferences in future offer rounds
When Change of Preference reopens, consider adding other backup course options ensuring that these are placed higher on the preference list than the current offer
Preferences can now be changed between all five rounds
In 2015, approx. 80% of offers were made in Round 1
Use the selection data to help you find courses in a realistic range

34. Find Courses
Apply
SEAS and Scholarships
Change of Preference
Offers
Supplementary offers
For applicants who have given permission and not yet received an offer
Institutions will contact applicants directly to suggest courses which still have vacancies
Some institutions may make supplementary offers after Round 2 if they have places available.
Applicants may receive supplementary offers if they have:
not received an offer in any of the previous offer rounds (Early, Round 1, Round 2); and
not been granted an offer for a negotiated offer; and
have given VTAC permission to release their application to all courses with vacancies.
Applicants give this permission at the time of applying, or later in their VTAC account.
Supplementary offers will be processed weekly throughout February 2017.
If an applicant receives two or more offers at the same time, they will need to choose which offer to accept – applicants cannot accept more than one offer.

35. The VTAC application process – key dates
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The VTAC application process – key dates
Key dates for applications
Applications open
$36 for current Year 12 students
$54 for all others
9am, Monday 6 August 2018
Timely applications close
5pm, Thursday 27 September 2018
SEAS applications close
5pm, Friday 12 October 2018
Scholarship applications close
Round 1 offers released
Wednesday 16 January 2019
Full list of dates:
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

36. Overview of application process
Submit VTAC course application online via from 6 August 2018 & BEFORE 27 September 2018 to avoid late fees
ATAR released from 7am Friday 14 December, 2018
Change of preference open until 12pm Wednesday 19 December, 2018
Pay application processing fee BEFORE 12pm, 19 December 2018
VTAC processes application supplying results to course authorities for each course listed
Course authorities consider application and advise VTAC if they want to make an offer
VTAC notifies applicant of the highest course offer for the current round. First Round offers released 16 January, 2019
Accept, defer or decline the offer with institution. Change preferences if desired
If successful, offers for courses higher on a student’s preference list will be made in subsequent offer rounds

37. www.vtac.edu.au Contact details Remember: Parade College Support
For more information and to apply:
Parade College Support
Careers Advisors – Mrs Melinda Williams & Ms Sarah Harvey
Phone:
Website:
Acting VCE Coordinator – Mr David Moore
Connect with VTAC on social media for timely reminders and tips
Applications open in August
One application, eight preferences
Apply for SEAS category 1 (and other categories if appropriate)
Apply for scholarships
Change of Preference is open before and between offer rounds
Leave contact details on screen and take questions