VTAC step-by-step

The following takes you each step in the VTAC application process and provides links to further information across this website.

VTAC guides provide a deeper look at the VTAC application process from researching courses to getting your offer.

VTAC's role

The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) manages the centralised application system for students applying to courses in Victoria. VTAC:

  • receives, collates and forwards applications for courses to institutions;
  • receives, collates and forwards equity schemes and scholarship applications and other supporting documentation that may be required by institutions;
  • calculates the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR);
  • sends messages of offer to successful applicants.

Selection decisions are made by the institutions, not VTAC.

Which courses use VTAC?

Applications to some vocational education and training (VET) courses, undergraduate higher education  courses and graduate-entry courses are administered through VTAC. However, most post-graduate courses require applicants apply directly to the institution. Use CourseSearch to search for courses that require you to apply through VTAC.

Research courses

Before applying, explore your study options:

  • Use CourseSearch to find courses and check course requirements (including prerequisites) and selection criteria
  • Find out about the institutions you are considering applying to.
  • Check for additional requirements such as folios, interviews, tests, or personal statements
  • Attend open days, read course guides, and contact institutions if you need clarification

Course requirements are listed by applicant category (see below).

What is my applicant category?

Course requirements are listed by applicant category. Your applicant category is based on the highest level of education you have undertaken. The applicant categories used in CourseSearch are applicants with:

  • Recent secondary education (Currently studying Year 12 in 2026)
  • Recent secondary education (Completed Year 12 in 2024 or 2025)
  • Higher education studies
  • Vocational education and training (VET) studies
  • Work and life experience

If you are unsure of which category applies to you, this questionnaire will help you identify your applicant category.

Apply for courses through VTAC

The process of applying for courses through VTAC consists of three key steps:

  1. Create a VTAC account and complete your profile - Here you will provide VTAC with more information about yourself including your name, school and Unique Student Identifier (USI).
  2. Apply for up to eight courses in order of preference in your course application
  3. Consider applying for equity schemes and scholarships

Tips to remember when applying for courses:

  • List your course preference in the order you most want to study them. You will only receive an offer from the highest preference on your list willing to make you an offer.
  • Submit your application before the timely deadline and make note of key dates. You can always make changes to your courses while change of preference is open.
  • Make sure you meet the course requirements and complete the selection tasks for each course on your preference list. This could include prerequisites or other course selection criteria such as tests, statements or folios.

Is my previous study relevant?

When you apply for courses, your entire academic record is provided to the institutions’ selection officers. This includes results for any Year 12, vocational education and training (VET) or higher education study you have completed.

Some courses will require you to complete other requirements, some of which may be assessed for selection into a course.

Is my work and life experience relevant?

Work and life experience is considered for entry to some courses and for some applicants. This is usually communicated by a VTAC Personal Statement. To see if this is required, check ‘essential requirements and admission criteria’ in the course entry within CourseSearch.

If you have previous study, work or life experience related to the course, your experience may count toward your qualification. Institutions have their own policies regarding previous study and experience. For more information see Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Consider applying for equity schemes and scholarships

If there have been circumstance that have made it difficult for you to do your best at study, you should consider putting in an equity schemes and scholarships application.

  • Equity schemes allow institutions to identify applicants from under-represented groups or who experience difficult circumstances when making selection decisions for some courses.
  • Scholarships are available for all kinds of reasons. This includes supporting students with financial disadvantage, difficult circumstances and the need to relocate for study. There are also scholarships for Indigenous Australians, community service and academic merit.

Find out how to apply for equity schemes and scholarships.

Changing preferences

Changed your mind on what course you want to study? You can use change of preference at certain times of the year to re-order, add or remove courses from your application. This includes before and after your results are released. You can change your course preference list as many times as you like when change of preference is open.

Get your results

Year 12 applicants receive their ATAR and study scores in December. Once results are released, you can view your results through:

  • Your VTAC account
  • The Results and ATAR service website
  • MyeQuals - a  secure digitial platform that stores all of your tertiary qualifications

Learn about the ATAR and how to access it.

Course offers

Institutions make selection decisions and VTAC communicates the outcomes.

  • Offers are released in multiple rounds
  • Applicants are eligible for offer rounds based on your applicant type (Year 12 or post-school) and based on when VTAC receives your results.
  • You may receive more than one offer across different rounds
  • After receiving an offer, you can accept and enrol or defer (if allowed)

Your highest eligible preference will always be offered first.