This report covers the activities of the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre for the period 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003.
The period was one of relative success with the real gains marred, however, by the inaccurate displaying of 56 incorrect offers on the website. This was a serious and debilitating error that attracted considerable attention. None of the 56 applicants received round one offers which further underscored the seriousness of the mistake. All applicants were telephoned on the day by senior staff and apologies conveyed personally and in writing. With the assistance of institutions, 44 received offers in later rounds, the remaining students were counselled about other alternatives.
Testing regimes have been reviewed and varied in light of this matter and the Management Committee has instituted other initiatives to prevent a recurrence.
The dominant issue in preparation of the selection cycle was estimated data and how it would be handled in relation to the Privacy legislation and availability of estimated ENTERs. A great deal of work was undertaken, in association with VCAA, educating schools and applicants about this new environment and associated revised procedures. This, together with re-designing VTAC systems meant that institutions had the means of maintain an equitable and transparent system and consequently there were few queries from the public and selection proceeded smoothly. Applications increased again, the total amounting to 84,893, 46 per cent of which were from non-current year 12 applicants.
Two new institutions were welcomed to the system - there are now 14 universities, 14 TAFE institutes and 24 independent tertiary colleges now participating.
It is with pleasure that I present this report of the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre.
Ian Marshman
Chair
Management Committee, VTAC
September 2002