In focus:
Open Days, Early Entry and researching further study
July, August and September are extremely busy times for those interested in exploring further study opportunities. This is the main period for on-campus opportunities, open days, early entry programs, tertiary applications.
Open Days
- MSCW Careers and Pathways Hub has a Open Day Guide in the Latest Guides Section
- Please see the attached Open Days resource from Compass Career News
- My Future Open Days across Australia, sorted by State https://myfuture.edu.au/assist-others/open-days
- VTAC Open Days listing usually available late July for Victorian tertiary institutions.
Early Entry Programs
- MSCW Careers and Pathways Hub has a Early Entry Guide in the Latest Guides Section
- Please see the attached Early Entry Programs Summary from Compass Career News.
Research your university and TAFE course options
Tertiary Admission Centres
State-based Tertiary Admission Centres process course applications on behalf of universities, some TAFE institutes, and some private providers.
You can research courses, prerequisites, selection criteria and ATAR profiles for the most recent intake.
Websites are listed below
Victoria www.vtac.edu.au
NSW & ACT www.uac.edu.au
QLD www.qtac.edu.au
SA & NT www.satac.edu.au
Tasmania www.utas.edu.au
Australia wide search
Course Seeker is a fantastic website that enables students to be able to explore courses for each state in the one website.
You can research courses, prerequisites, selection criteria and ATAR profiles for the 2024 intake. Course information for the 2024 intake will be updated later in the year.
VTAC – Important dates
VTAC – Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre.
For those Year 12 students who are considering further study, please note the following key dates connected with VTAC applications
- 29 July – Applications Open
- 30 September – Timely applications close
- 11 October – SEAS and scholarships close
- 1 November – Late applications close
- 6 December – Very late applications close
- VCE Results and ATAR Release – 12 December
- December Round Offers – 23 December
- January Round 1 Offers – 10 January
The cost of a VTAC timely application will be $60.
Please note: As mid-year applications are currently open, the course selection is currently limited to those courses taking those applications. If you wish to search the full course selection, please select 'Find Courses' from the middle menu bar, then 'CourseSearch Archive'.
VTAC has produced planner resources with key dates and information for students.
Available from the links below
Year 10 and 11 planner postcard
These resources provide a summary of key dates for students at the time of printing.
Students are encouraged to visit the VTAC website throughout the year for a comprehensive list of dates.
TAFE/VET
Your Career has a Learn and Train – Explore VET Section which provides a directory of vocational education and training (VET) organisations and courses.
You can search for courses or occupations and use a location search.
If you are only considering VET in Victoria, you can also use the Victorian Skills Gateway.
Students are also encouraged to keep an eye on the Free TAFE website as this outlines VET programs which are Free and deemed priority areas.
Financing Further Study – Student Contributions towards University Degrees
When Australian students go to university they are eligible for a Commonwealth supported place (CSP), whereby the Australian Government pays some of the university fees and the student pays the rest, this is called the 'student contribution amount'.
Students are encouraged to browse Study Assist to familiarise themselves further about the costs of university study.
This Study Assist CSP and HECS Help factsheet is a great resource
How much will your first university degree cost?
It’s important to consider how much it will cost to study at university. Your first degree will be an ‘undergraduate’ degree, such as a bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or a university Diploma.
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at university where the Government pays for some of your course, and you pay the rest. This is called the ‘student contribution amount’.
Student contribution amount and thus how much you owe for your university subjects and course will vary based on:
- The course discipline you are studying
- If you are studying at a Government funded university or a private institute.
New student contribution amounts from 1 January 2024 can be found here on the Study Assist website – here.
HECS-HELP Loan
CSP students can apply for a HECS-HELP loan providing they meet residency eligibility criteria. This loan will enable you to defer your payments until you are required to start paying back your student contribution amount. You can make voluntary repayments at any time.
Fee Paying Places
Some private institutes offer fee paying places for undergraduate courses. Students don’t receive Government subsidies and are required to pay the full fee amount. They can apply for FEE-HELP and defer their payments.
Very important information
If you begin your enrolment with a public or private university and apply for a CSP, HECS-HELP or FEE HELP, you must have passed at least 50 per cent of your total attempted units (subjects) in order to remain eligible for any of these schemes.
Key website for information: Study Assist - www.studyassist.gov.au