Career & VET Report 

VTAC ATAR and Scaling Guide

The ATAR is a rank, not a score. It’s designed specifically to assist some tertiary institutions in selecting applicants for some courses.

The ATAR is only one tool used for selection into tertiary courses, and not all courses use the ATAR. This guide explains:

• what the ATAR is
• what the ATAR isn’t
• how the ATAR is calculated
• what scaling is and why we do it
• what your aggregate is
• rules and restrictions regarding study combinations for how your aggregate is calculated, and
• how your aggregate becomes your ATAR.

Read the full guide here: https://www.vtac.edu.au/atar-scaling-guide-2022.html

Applying to Uni – The Basics

How do I apply?

If you’re currently in Year 12, you’ll most likely need to apply through a Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC). The benefit of TACs is that you submit just one application for multiple universities and courses, saving you time and effort.

Here’s a link to the TAC for each state and territory:

• NSW & ACT – UAC
• VIC – VTAC
• QLD – QTAC
• SA & NT – SATAC
• WA – TISC

What about Tasmania? Well, seeing as the University of Tasmania is the only uni in Tassie, they take applications directly.

Which TAC do I apply to?

Simple – apply to the TAC that’s in the same state or territory as the university you want to go to. So, if you’re thinking of heading to UNSW in Sydney – even if you live in Melbourne, Alice Springs, or Broome – you’ll need to apply through UAC.

When can I apply?

Now! UAC and TISC both started taking applications in early April this year, while the rest of the TACs opened applications in early August.

For UTAS, you can apply through their School’s Recommendation Program for early entry until October 7. Regular course applications are also open now (check individual course pages for closing dates) and you can apply right up until courses start in 2023 – but be aware that courses with limited numbers will close earlier, around 30 September.

You don’t need to have your ATAR or results to apply – your TAC will automatically receive this information once it’s released in December.

How do I apply?

Each TAC has its own set of instructions for applying. For more detailed information, take a look at their website, or check out our Apply to Uni Guide.

When do applications close?

TACs have several application and offer rounds throughout the year – this means that if you apply by a certain date, you’ll receive an offer by a certain date. Even though applications are usually open until late January/early February 2023, it’s wise to apply for your course ASAP, as some have limited places and you won’t want to miss out.

The following table has both the main offer round application closing dates for Year 12 students (which is usually the first round after ATARs have been released), as well as the final dates to apply for courses in 2023:

*You can still apply for courses at any time through SATAC after 1 December but are not guaranteed equal consideration for selection.

What if I miss the Main Offer Round application deadline?

Don’t sweat – you can still apply for courses at any time between now and the final closing date for 2023.

There are a couple of cons to this: you might have to pay a higher application fee, and you might miss out on a course if all places are offered in the first round.

Help! I have applied but changed my mind about the course I want to do

No worries – all the TACs have a system in place known as change of preference. This means you’re free to go back into your application and change the order of the courses on your application, or even add new courses.

Note that there is generally a cut-off date for changing your preferences based on when you’d like to receive an offer:

*You can change your preferences at any time up until the offer deadline, but it’s advised that you do so ASAP. With QTAC, you can change your preferences as many times as you like, but after the first three times you’ll have to pay a fee.

**Change of preferences for all Semester 1 courses close on 4 January 2023, regardless of offer round.

***You can change your preferences with UTAS at any time up until you receive an offer. Contact UTAS directly to find out more.

When can I expect to receive an offer?

As we said above, offers are generally rolled out on an ongoing basis depending on when you applied. Check the key dates section on your TAC’s website if you want to see specific offer round dates.

Based on the above application dates, here’s when you’ll most likely hear back:

Yay, I got an offer – but what’s next?

Congratulations! If you’ve received an offer (and you’re happy with it), the next step is to accept the offer.

This is an important step – if you fail to respond to the offer, it will lapse and you’ll need to wait for the next offer round.

Here are the dates you need to accept your offer by:

*You will receive an offer email directly from the institution detailing the date you’ll need to accept your offer by, and further instructions.

**When UTAS contacts you with an offer, they will walk you through what happens next.

I got an offer…but not for the course I wanted. Now what?

You will have noticed during your application that you can list several course preferences. In some cases, you may not receive an offer for your first preference, but receive one for your second, and so on.

If you’re really insistent on getting an offer for your dream course, you can simply let the offer you’ve received lapse and wait for the next offer round to see if you receive an offer the next time around. But this can be risky, as there’s no guarantee you’ll receive any offers next time, even if you received one in the last round.

What we recommend is that you conditionally accept or ‘bank’ your offer. This means you can wait for the next offer round, and if you still don’t get an offer for the course you really want, you can then go back and accept the first offer you received.

See your TAC’s website for more information on offers.

Always remember to let the uni know before the deadline if you don’t want to accept the offer, or you could end up being enrolled in the course and have to pay some or all of the fees.

What do I do if I don’t get any offers?

If you don’t receive an offer for any of your preferences in one round, you can simply wait for the next offer round and see if you get an offer next time. You might like to re-order your preferences or add new courses to your application to boost your chances of receiving an offer.

At this point, we recommend you start looking into Alternative Pathway options, just in case you don’t receive any offers by the final offer round.

Where can I find out more?

If you want more information on applying to university, check out the TAC websites, or contact them directly – they’re happy to answer any questions you might have.

Or you can get a copy of our Apply to Uni Guide, packed with tons of info on the application process in each state and territory.

Open Days & Info Sessions

Deakin | Campus Tours

Warrnambool: Tuesday 20 September 2022, 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

Geelong Waterfront: Wednesday 21 September 2022, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Melbourne: Thursday 22 September 2022, 9:00 am - Wednesday 28 September 2022, 4:00 pm

Waurn Ponds: Tuesday 27 September 2022, 9:00 am - Thursday 29 September 2022, 4:00 pm

There’s only one way to choose a uni – you’ve got to experience it for yourself. Our student-led campus tours are the perfect way to begin your university journey.​ Get a first-hand look at our facilities, guided by our knowledgeable and friendly current Deakin students, and have all your study questions answered.

Find out more: https://www.deakin.edu.au/student-life-and-services/events/campus-tours

Monash | Campus Tours

Clayton: Monday 26 September 2022, 10:00 am - Thursday 29 September 2022, 11:30 am

Peninsula: Wednesday 28 September 2022, 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Caulfield: Thursday 29 September 2022, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Join us for a campus tour to see and experience all Monash has on offer! Led by our enthusiastic student ambassadors, come along to ask them questions and get a taste of life at Monash. With a tour duration of approximately 60 minutes, you will tour the outside of our buildings and explore our worldclass campuses.

Representatives from our Arts, Education, Engineering, Information Technology, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Science faculties will be available to speak with you at the conclusion of the tour.

Find out more: https://www.monash.edu/discover/events/campus-experience

Monash | Discover Bachelor of Commerce and Double Degrees

Wednesday 28 September 2022, 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Monash University, Clayton Campus

Discover what the Bachelor of Commerce and double degrees have to offer. Learn more about gaining employable skills and getting the most from your student experience.

Find out more: https://www.monash.edu/discover/events/course-information/discover-bachelor-of-commerce-and-double-degrees

ACU | Talk with Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists

Tuesday 18 October 2022, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Online

Allied health practitioners help us live life to the fullest. You can diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate patients, and help improve their quality of life.

Join us online to hear from ACU alumni about their experiences improving people’s quality of life. Take part in a Q&A session with our graduates and learn about the rewarding and challenging careers of occupational therapists and speech pathologists.

Find out more: https://www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/events/2022/october/talk-with-occupational-therapists-and-speech-pathologists

NICA | Teen Circus Workshop

Monday 26 September 2022, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm

National Institute of Circus Arts, Prahran

Get your circus fix this school break with our Teens Circus Holiday Program. Workshops are designed to challenge and inspire participants with manipulation, aerials & ground acrobatics. Activities may include: static trapeze, tumbling, trampoline, juggling and manipulation, hula hoops, tightwire, acrobalance and tissu. Improve strength, flexibility and coordination.

Find out more: https://app.iclasspro.com/portal/nicacircus/camp-details/514?typeId=1&filters=%7B%7D

Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition

Entries to the Sony World Photography Awards Youth Competition are open.

For this year’s Youth competition we’re asking you to show us Your Everyday. What does your day-to-day look like? What people surround you? What scenes do you see – bustling streets or idyllic landscapes? Whatever the genre, technique or subject matter, we want to embrace your unique view of the world. Enter up to three images for free now!

The competition is open until 6 January 2023.

Find out more and enter here: https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/youth

SBS Emerging Writers’ Competition

SBS is looking to unearth a new crop of talented Australian writers, with the return of the SBS Emerging Writers’ Competition for 2022.

An initiative from SBS Voices, the competition aims to uncover bold new voices that reflect the diversity of contemporary Australia by inviting aspiring writers to share their stories and have their voices heard.

Open for entries from 16 August – 13 September 2022, the theme of this year’s competition is ‘Emergence’. Entrants are invited to interpret this theme as they choose, whether it’s a story of emerging fully into their true selves, or an event arising in the narrative of their life. All entries must be pieces of non-fiction memoir.

Find out more and enter here: https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/voices/culture/article/2022/08/17/entries-sbs-emerging-writers-competition-2022-now-open

Work Experience with the Parliament of Victoria

Expressions of Interest for work experience placements in terms 1 & 2, 2023 are now open!

Whether you’re interested in politics, planting trees, law-making or baking, your work experience placement at the Parliament of Victoria will be an experience you’ll remember. This is a unique opportunity to undertake a one-week placement in either a Parliamentary Sitting or Parliamentary Services program.

Parliamentary Sitting placements provide the opportunity to see the law-making process up close. Students will go behind the scenes with the staff who directly support Parliament sittings, to get a deeper understanding of our democratic processes.

Parliamentary Services placements offer a variety of opportunities that can be matched with a broad range of student interests and career goals. Students will have the option to work with staff in one of the many professional service areas that support the day-to-day business of Parliament.

To participate, you must be 15 years or older at the time of placement and be a Victorian resident studying at a Victorian secondary school.

Applications close 27 January 2023 at 5:00pm.

Learn more