VTAC, preferences & offers

From ordering your preference list to changing it after results and accepting an offer – we take you through how each step works.

Your preferences are the courses you'd like to be considered for, listed in order. In each offer round, VTAC works down your list and offers you the highest course you're eligible for – so the order really matters.

If you meet the requirements for your first, second and third preferences, you'll only get an offer for your first. That's why it pays to list courses in the order you want to study them – not by the ATAR you think you'll get.

You can list up to eight courses. It's worth using all eight, so you've got backup options you'd be genuinely happy with.

What's a good way to order my list?

There's no single right answer – but if you’re unsure, here’s a good structure to follow:

Dream course
Alternative dream course
Alternative dream course
Course in your interest area
Course in your interest area
Course in your interest area
Pathway course
Pathway course

Start with the courses you'd love most, add courses in your interest area, then finish with pathway courses that can still lead you where you want to go.

Changing your preferences after results

Change of preference is your chance to update your preference list – when VCE results come out, and again after every offer round.

It's a set window of time when you can add, remove or reorder your VTAC preferences. When a window closes, your preferences are locked in while offers are made. Once offers are released, the next window opens.

: Log in to VTAC using your VTAC ID and PIN.
Open your preference list under Course Application.
Add, remove or reorder your courses, with the course you most want to study at the top.
Review, save and submit your changes.
It's free to change your preferences, and you can make as many changes as you like while a change of preference window is open.
: You can change your preferences up until 12pm on 12 December. That includes the two days after results come out on 10 December – your chance to update your list with your ATAR in hand before the December round.
Each change of preference window opens when the previous round offers are released – so check your offer, then update your list before the window closes. Each window usually runs for about a day.
Offer round Change of preference closes Offers released
December round Saturday 12 December 2026 at 12pm Wednesday 23 December 2026
January round 1 Thursday 24 December 2026 at 12pm Tuesday 12 January 2027
January round 2 Wednesday 13 January 2027 at 2pm Wednesday 27 January 2027
February round 1 Thursday 28 January 2027 at 2pm Wednesday 3 February 2027
February round 2 Thursday 4 February 2027 at 2pm Tuesday 9 February 2027
February round 3 Wednesday 10 February 2027 at 2pm Tuesday 16 February 2027
: Usually, yes – but some courses can't be added after the timely application close or after certain change of preference periods.
: Your list stays as it is, and VTAC will use it for the next offer round. You can still make changes in the next window.

Offer round	Change of preference closes	Offers released
December round	Saturday 12 December 2026 at 12pm	Wednesday 23 December 2026
January round 1	Thursday 24 December 2026 at 12pm	Tuesday 12 January 2027
January round 2	Wednesday 13 January 2027 at 2pm	Wednesday 27 January 2027
February round 1	Thursday 28 January 2027 at 2pm	Wednesday 3 February 2027
February round 2	Thursday 4 February 2027 at 2pm	Tuesday 9 February 2027
February round 3	Wednesday 10 February 2027 at 2pm	Tuesday 16 February 2027

Offers: what happens next

Offers start rolling out in December, with more rounds in January and February.

Remember, receiving an offer isn't the same as being enrolled – follow every step in your offer email to secure your place. And accepting an offer doesn't stop you receiving another one in a later round.

: Open your offer email and select the link to accept.
You'll land in MyVU, where you can accept your place – or defer for up to 12 months if you need to.
Enrol through MyVU: choose your units and set up your fees
: Yes. VTAC only sends one offer per round, but an offer in one round doesn't stop you getting another in a later round.
You'll still be considered for any courses listed above your offered course. Courses below it won't be considered. So if you'd like a shot at a course that's lower on your list – or one that isn't on it yet – move or add it above your offered course during change of preference.
Tip: accept your first offer and follow the enrolment steps so you don't lose your place. Keep that course on your VTAC list, then move any courses you'd still like to be considered for above it.
: You can accept the new offer and withdraw from the course you accepted earlier. Do it in this order, so you're never left without a place:
Accept and enrol in your new course by following the instructions in your offer email.
Contact the uni or TAFE of your original course to withdraw – you'll need to do this directly with them.
Make sure you withdraw before your original course's census date, or you may have to pay fees for it. Each uni and TAFE sets its own census dates. Read about how to withdraw from a VU course.
: Don't panic – it's not the end of the road. If you miss out in the December round, there are more rounds in January and February.
Use the next change of preference window to review your list and think about adding pathway courses or other courses you'd be genuinely happy with – places can fill as rounds go on. You can also explore other ways in or call us for advice.

Key dates for 2026

Sunday 11 October – VU Early Entry applications closed.
From Monday 12 October – VU Early Entry Conditional Offers released. If you submitted your VTAC preferences before 28 September (timely VTAC preference), expect your conditional offer by 12 October 2026. If you submitted your preferences after 28 September, expect your conditional offer by 23 October.
Tuesday 27 October to Wednesday 18 November – VCE written exams. Good luck, you've got this!
Friday 30 October – late VTAC applications close (5pm). Note that the later you apply, the higher the fee.
Friday 4 December – very late VTAC applications close (5pm).
Thursday 10 December – VCE results and ATARs released. You can still change your preferences until 12pm on 12 December.
Saturday 12 December – December offer round close (12pm). You can change your preferences again from Wednesday 23 December 23 until Thursday 24 December at 12pm.

27 Oct - 18 Nov

VCE written exams

30 October

Late VTAC applications close (5pm)

4 December

Very late VTAC applications close (5pm)

10 December

VCE results and ATARs released

12 December

December offer round closes (12pm)

What are my options after I get my ATAR?

Whatever your result, you've got options – and a few smart moves will help you make the most of them.

Nice work. Your next step is simple: check your preferences are in the order you want, with your dream course at the top.
Then keep an eye on things as offers roll out. Your first offer doesn't have to be your only option, and each change of preference window is a chance to make the most of your results.
Take a breath – your result hasn't closed the door on the course you want. There are plenty of ways into uni, and we're here to help you find yours. Use change of preference to explore your options.
VU has pathways and a packaged Foundation course to help you work towards the course you want. Start with a certificate or diploma, and you may be able to move into your preferred degree without an ATAR requirement. If the course is listed in VTAC, add it to your preferences like any other course. If it isn't, apply directly through the course page.
Explore pathways to VU or browse our courses by ATAR.

Nice work. Your next step is simple: check your preferences are in the order you want, with your dream course at the top.

Then keep an eye on things as offers roll out. Your first offer doesn't have to be your only option, and each change of preference window is a chance to make the most of your results.

Take a breath – your result hasn't closed the door on the course you want. There are plenty of ways into uni, and we're here to help you find yours. Use change of preference to explore your options.

VU has pathways and a packaged Foundation course to help you work towards the course you want. Start with a certificate or diploma, and you may be able to move into your preferred degree without an ATAR requirement. If the course is listed in VTAC, add it to your preferences like any other course. If it isn't, apply directly through the course page.

Explore pathways to VU or browse our courses by ATAR.