VTAC preferences – dates & details for Year 12 students

Need more advice about your VTAC preferences or general course advice? Get in touch with our student contact centre, via phone or web chat.

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Thinking ahead to next year? If you're beginning to plan out what your preference list for 2026 looks like, it's good to make sure you're across all definitions, dates, and other relevant info. 

Here’s a handy guide on everything you need to know about preferences, applying for courses and offer rounds – so you can finish off Year 12 and head into 2026 confident about your options and choices.

We'll keep you updated on VTAC date releases for next year as we get them, so check back in throughout the year as you move towards preferencing.

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How to apply for a course via VTAC

 VTAC preference applications for courses starting in 2026 open from 28 July 2025.

In the meantime, familiarise yourself with the steps on how to complete your application:

  1. Create a VTAC account on vtac.edu.au.
  2. Log in with your VTAC ID and PIN.
  3. Enter details of your secondary school studies, following the prompts.
  4. List your course preferences:
    • enter at least 1 course, and up to 8 courses – in your order of preference
    • you will only receive one offer per offer round, for your highest eligible preference, so make sure you put the course that you most want to do as your first preference, and then the other courses you want to do, in your order of preference
    • check that you meet prerequisites for the courses (see the admission info on the course page) and complete all relevant selection tasks where applicable.
  5. Enter any additional info required (like for example, if you want to specify a nominee who can be contacted on your behalf, or details of any admissions tests you've taken), following the prompts. Review your application and make sure it’s all correct.
  6. Pay the VTAC application fee – for timely applications (before 29 September), this is $80 for all current Year 12 students and $100 for all other applicants. You will be asked to pay online at the end of your course application, and you can pay via PayPal, or by Visa or MasterCard.
  7. Submit!

What if I change my mind?

You can change the order of your preferences and add or remove courses from your list after you have submitted your application – and in December after you get your Year 12 results for a short period too (domestic VCE students expecting December offers only).

VTAC are yet to announce the finalised change of preference period dates for 2025, so keep an eye out! But, for now keep in mind that if you’re still exploring options or aren’t 100% certain on which course you want to do the most towards the end of the year, you'll still have time to submit and rethink your options even after your ATAR score is released.

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