Quick start: Mature-age applicants
Applying for tertiary education as a mature-age applicant
‘Mature-age’ can have different definitions across tertiary institutions. This is because some institutions have mature-age entry programs where your age and experience are considered as part of your application. However, many people use 'mature-age' as a general term to refer to adults who return to study.
Regardless of whether you fit each ‘mature-age’ definition, the application process is similar. This page provides an overview of key information and directs you to more detailed information, including:
Am I eligible to apply through VTAC?
Research mature-age entry programs
Apply for courses through VTAC
Consider applying for special consideration (SEAS)
VTAC’s role
VTAC receives, collates and forwards applications to institutions. This includes requests for special consideration (SEAS), scholarship applications and other supporting documentation that may be required by institutions.
After selection decisions are made by the institutions, VTAC sends messages of offer to successful applicants.
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
Find courses you want to apply for in CourseSearch.
Find out about the institutions you are considering applying to.
Research the course requirements (including prerequisites) for each course that interests you. These 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 completed, and if it is Year 12 when you completed it. This questionnaire will help you identify your applicant category.
Note that ‘mature-age’ is not an applicant category, rather it is term that applies to the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) Personal information and location category or can be used more generally to refer to adults returning to study.
Am I eligible to apply through VTAC?
To apply through VTAC, you must meet citizenship and residency requirements.
The types of courses you can apply for depends upon your previous study, check minimum tertiary entrance requirements. If you don’t meet minimum tertiary entrance requirements, you may find some mature-age entry programs will set alternative entrance requirements (see next section).
Another option for planning a return to study, is to plan a pathway from a course you are eligible for to the one you wish to study. This includes programs that help you prepare for tertiary study or provide alternative pathways to the course you want.
Research mature-age entry programs
Mature-age entry programs are designed to assist those who have been away from study enter tertiary education.
The age requirements and policies for mature-age entry differ across institutions. To check the mature-age policies of the institutions you are applying to, and to check if there are additional requirements you need to complete, visit the institutions pages.
Some institutions provide consideration for mature-age entry as part of VTAC’s Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS). To find the institutions that use this program, see SEAS: Personal information and location category. You will be automatically considered for this category. You do not need to submit an Equity schemes & scholarships application, only a VTAC course application).
Apply for courses through VTAC
Create a VTAC account and complete your profile. Most applicants will need to get a Unique Student Identifier (USI) before they can complete their profile.
Learn about the process of applying for courses and create a course application by logging into your VTAC account.
You can apply for up to eight courses in order of preference. Make sure you meet the course requirements for each course on your preference list.
Is my previous study relevant?
Selection into a course is the responsibility of each institution and is based on what is published in institutional requirements and course requirements for each course. Some courses will select some applicants based on their previous study. Others might use other selection tools—examples include the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) and the VTAC Personal Statement. Some courses will use a combination of selection tools.
When you apply for courses, your entire academic record is provided to the institutions’ selection officers. If you completed Year 12, it includes these results. It also includes any vocational education and training (VET) or higher education study you have completed.
If you have any questions about demonstrating your academic ability for entry into a course, and alternative pathways to entry, contact the institution.
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 (SEAS) and scholarships
In addition to mature-age entry, equity schemes such as SEAS allow institutions to identify applicants from other under-represented groups, when making selection decisions for some courses. Furthermore, if there have been circumstances that have made it difficult for you to do your best at study, you should consider putting in an equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships application. Equity schemes also allow institutions to identify applicants from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses.
There are scholarships available for all kinds of reasons: such as those to support 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 (SEAS) and scholarships.
Changed your mind?
If you change your mind about a course or find a new one, you can use change of preference at certain times of the year to change your application. This includes before and after your results are released.
Course offers
Find out about offers and how to enrol or defer.