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UNI Early Entry

Early entry program applications and offers in your state

Early entry programs give Year 12 students a chance to secure a university place before final exams even happen. But with so many programs available for school leavers and a variety of application processes, it might feel a little overwhelming.

We're here to break the process down and hopefully give you a little more clarity about what to do next. Let's take a look.

 

What is an early entry program?

Early entry is when a university assesses your application on factors other than your Year 12 final exam results. You can apply using Year 11 results, school or principal's recommendation, community involvement, leadership roles, or personal circumstances. In return, they may offer you a place to study ahead of your final exams and before the main admissions rounds open.

Most early entry offers are conditional, meaning you still need to meet certain requirements like finishing Year 12 or achieving a minimum ATAR. But knowing a place is waiting for you could reduce your stress and mental load heading into exams.

 

How do you apply?

This can vary depending on which programs you're applying for and the location of the university you're applying to. Some early entry applications are submitted directly to the university, not through your state's Tertiary Admissions Centre (TAC) - but sometimes you only need to apply through a TAC, or in other cases do both.

Here's an overview by state. In any case, the best advice is to check each university's website for the details of each program and apply accordingly, and contact the Future Students team if you have any questions.

 

New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory

In NSW and the ACT, most standard university applications are submitted through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). But many universities' early entry programs have separate processes and deadlines, so applying for these is little different:

  • 17 programs listed in the SWG Early Entry Guide require you to submit a direct application to the university only.
  • 2 programs require you to submit an application through UAC only.
  • 6 programs require you to apply through UAC and submit an application or other documentation directly to the university.

 

Victoria

There are 5 early entry programs from universities in Victoria, and all of them require you to submit an application to both the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and directly to the university.

While you can receive a conditional early offer directly from the university, your place is only secured once you also apply for the same course through VTAC, list it as your highest preference, and accept an offer in one of their standard offer rounds as well.

Note: While Torrens University Australia has campuses in Melbourne, students in Victoria are not eligible for their early entry program.

 

Queensland

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) manages standard university admissions for most Year 12 students in Queensland, but the process can differ for early entry programs:

  • 5 programs require you to submit a direct application to the university only.
  • 2 programs require you to submit an application through QTAC only.
  • 4 programs require you to apply through UAC and submit an application or other documentation directly to the university.

 

South Australia and the Northern Territory

There are only 2 universities with campuses in SA that provide early entry to Year 12 students:

  • CQUniversity has a campus in Adelaide - you'll need to submit an application directly to them.
  • Torrens University Australia also provides early offers to most of their courses on campus in Adelaide - you must also apply directly to them.

All other applications to study in SA or the NT are made through the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC).

 

Western Australia

In WA, the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) handles all standard applications, as well as early entry applications for 4 universities: Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, and the University of Western Australia.

If you're interested in applying for early entry at the University of Notre Dame Australia, they take applications directly - no TISC application is required.

 

Tasmania

As the only university in the state, the University of Tasmania (UTAS) has their own admissions process for both early entry and standard admissions, so you'll always be applying directly with them.

 

What do universities look for?

Different programs have different criteria, but common things universities consider include your school grades and progress, leadership or community involvement (such as being a school captain or volunteering), or personal circumstances (for example, if illness, family hardship, or caring responsibilities may have impacted your studies).

Some programs are designed specifically for students from regional areas, low-income households, or other underrepresented groups. It's always worth checking the eligibility requirements carefully. And if you're not sure whether you qualify, just contact the university and ask.

 

When will you hear back?

Under a 2024 recommendation from the Universities Accord, Australian universities agreed not to issue early offers to school students before September of the year prior to study. So even if applications open in April or May, you generally won't receive an offer until September at the earliest.

That said, programs and timelines do vary, and some universities set their own deadlines for applications. Make sure you keep up with key dates, because missing a deadline by even a day could mean missing out entirely.

 

What happens when you get an offer?

Receiving an early offer is brilliant news, but you don't have to make any snap decisions. Here are your main options:

  • You can accept the offer, which locks in your place (usually subject to meeting any conditions).
  • You can decline the offer if it's not the right fit, which frees the spot for someone else.
  • Some universities also allow you to hold the offer while you wait to see what other offers come through.
  • In some cases you can also defer the offer, allowing you to take some time off and come back to study when you're ready.

Always check the deadline for responding to your offer to make sure it doesn't expire and you end up missing out.

In some cases, you might receive a conditional early offer directly from the university that only becomes official once you also apply for the same course through a TAC. Even if you accept one of these offers, your TAC application will stay open, and you can still reorder your preferences to be considered for other course offers in the main rounds at the end of the year.

Remember, receiving a conditional offer doesn't mean you have to stop trying in your exams. In fact, many students find it frees them up to do their best work, because the pressure of "what if I don't get in?" is lifted.

 

What if you don't get an offer, or don't want to accept one?

The standard admissions process through your state's TAC will open later in the year, and that's how most students still apply and secure their place.

And if you apply for early entry but none of the offers feel right, simply decline them and continue with the standard process or find other early entry programs that are still open for applications. You haven't lost anything, you've just kept your options open.

 

Explore your options

Early entry is just one of many ways into university. If you want to find out more about the process, grab a copy of the Early Entry Guide to make getting started simple.

Whether you go early, through standard admissions, or via an alternative pathway, there are more routes to university than you might think. Head to our University page to explore your options and find the path that works for you.