Guide to applying for school students
Your step-by-step guide on how to apply for uni through VTAC or directly, and how to apply for TAFE directly.
Your guide to applying
Most Victorian Year 12 students apply through VTAC to study a bachelor's degree at uni.
Steps to apply
- Shortlist your courses – check prerequisites, selection requirements and whether you need to submit anything extra, like a folio or interview.
- Create your VTAC account – head to vtac.edu.au and make sure your details match your school records (name, date of birth, email).
- Enter your preferences – list from one up to eight courses in the order you actually want them, not the order you think you'll "get". You'll only ever receive one offer per round, for your highest eligible preference.
- Apply for SEAS if relevant – check if you're eligible, apply early and gather the right evidence.
- Submit and pay – pay the VTAC application fee (see costs below) by PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, then save your confirmation and login details.
- Change your preferences if your plans shift – you can reorder, add or remove courses during each change of preference period.
- Respond to offers – if you receive an offer, follow the instructions to accept and enrol by the deadline.
What does it cost to apply?
VTAC charges an application fee that climbs the later you apply:
- timely application (by 28 September 2026): $83 for current Year 12 students, $104 for everyone else
- late application (by 30 October 2026): $166
- very late application (by 4 December 2026): $208.
Applying on time is the cheapest option – and you can still reorder your preferences afterwards, so there's no reason to hold off.
Tips for applying
- Preference order matters – VTAC offers you the highest preference you're eligible for, so list courses in the order you actually want to do them.
- Keep at least one option you'd genuinely be happy with that's realistic for your prerequisites and selection rank
if a course needs extra tasks like a folio or interview, start early – these sneak up fast. - Apply for VU Early Entry to get 5 bonus ATAR points, plus scholarships, extra study resources, freebies and a Conditional Offer.
- Don't guess – get someone to double-check your preferences, whether that's a career counsellor, teacher, family member or friend.
- Get prepared and read our guide to VTAC, preferences and offers.
Most Victorian Year 12 students apply through VTAC to study a bachelor's degree at uni.
Steps to apply
- Shortlist your courses – check prerequisites, selection requirements and whether you need to submit anything extra, like a folio or interview.
- Create your VTAC account – head to vtac.edu.au and make sure your details match your school records (name, date of birth, email).
- Enter your preferences – list from one up to eight courses in the order you actually want them, not the order you think you'll "get". You'll only ever receive one offer per round, for your highest eligible preference.
- Apply for SEAS if relevant – check if you're eligible, apply early and gather the right evidence.
- Submit and pay – pay the VTAC application fee (see costs below) by PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, then save your confirmation and login details.
- Change your preferences if your plans shift – you can reorder, add or remove courses during each change of preference period.
- Respond to offers – if you receive an offer, follow the instructions to accept and enrol by the deadline.
What does it cost to apply?
VTAC charges an application fee that climbs the later you apply:
- timely application (by 28 September 2026): $83 for current Year 12 students, $104 for everyone else
- late application (by 30 October 2026): $166
- very late application (by 4 December 2026): $208.
Applying on time is the cheapest option – and you can still reorder your preferences afterwards, so there's no reason to hold off.
Tips for applying
- Preference order matters – VTAC offers you the highest preference you're eligible for, so list courses in the order you actually want to do them.
- Keep at least one option you'd genuinely be happy with that's realistic for your prerequisites and selection rank
if a course needs extra tasks like a folio or interview, start early – these sneak up fast. - Apply for VU Early Entry to get 5 bonus ATAR points, plus scholarships, extra study resources, freebies and a Conditional Offer.
- Don't guess – get someone to double-check your preferences, whether that's a career counsellor, teacher, family member or friend.
- Get prepared and read our guide to VTAC, preferences and offers.
New to VTAC? Start here
Most Victorian Year 12 students apply to uni through The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).
VTAC manages applications for tertiary courses in Victoria, along with scholarships and equity schemes (also known as Special Entry Access Scheme SEAS). VTAC passes your application and supporting details to institutions like Victoria University (VU), then sends out offers on their behalf.
What if I’m not sure yet?
Not knowing what’s next is okay – you don’t need to have your whole life figured out yet.
Looking for somewhere to start? Here are some quizzes, tools and info to help you explore options based on your interests and personality.
Quick checks to decide with confidence
You've explored your options – now let's help you feel confident about your decision. Think about your top preferences or the course you're directly applying for and ask yourself:
- Does this course match what I enjoy doing?
- Will it lead to the job or career I want?
- Is it a good fit for what I'm naturally good at?
- Do the workload and study approach fit my lifestyle?
A bit of uncertainty is natural – but if you're feeling some excitement and motivation about your next step, it's a sign you're on the right track.
