How the offer system works

VTAC does not choose who receives a course offer, instead VTAC is responsible for the administration of applications and offers. Once you have submitted your VTAC course application, and paid your course application fee, VTAC processes your application and supplies it to the course selection authorities for each course you have listed.

After each course selection authority has considered your application, they lodge their evaluation within VTAC's selection system. This system automatically identifies the highest course on your preference list that considers you competitive for an offer. VTAC then advises you of this offer, via your VTAC account.

In subsequent offer rounds, you will be considered for course preferences higher than the offer you have received. VTAC will again advise you of the highest preference that considers you competitive (if any). Note that submitting an application does not guarantee you an offer.

Course Selection

Selection is the responsibility of each institution's course selection authorities. When considering your application, course authorities take into account selection criteria, including published institutional and course entrance requirements, prerequisite studies, interviews, folios, supplementary forms and so on. For a list of criteria used by each course, refer to the selection criteria published in VTAC CourseSearch.

While some courses select by ATAR, few rely solely on this single measure. Instead other factors are taken into consideration as part of the selection process. When making selections, course selection officers eliminate applicants who have not met the minimum course entry requirements. The remaining applicants are given further consideration (re-ranked) according to the published subject bonuses and other applicable criteria. These criteria may include performance in specific studies (including those listed as prerequisites), performance in auditions, interviews, portfolios or aptitude tests, and consideration for SEAS or for specific equity groups.

The offers process explained

Processing fees must be paid

If you have not paid your course application processing fee, your application has not been processed and sent to course selection authorities. As a result, you will not be considered for an offer. To pay your processing fee for consideration in future offer rounds, go to your VTAC account from 17 January.

All offers are provisional

All offers are provisional and are based on meeting eligibility requirements, having provided full and correct information on your VTAC application, and correctly following the enrolment instructions sent to you by the institution.

Verbal offers have no status

If you receive a verbal offer, you should ask for the name of the person making the offer and call VTAC on (03) 9926 1020.

Fee types

The last digit of the course code indicates the fee type for the place you have been offered. Course codes ending in 1 are for Commonwealth supported places (CSPs), which means that you are required to pay only part of the cost of your place in the course because it is subsidised by the Australian Government.

Course codes ending in 2 are for a domestic fee places (DFP). There is no contribution from the government. You are liable for the full cost.

Course codes ending in 3 are for international fee places (IFP). There is no contribution from the government. You are liable for the full cost.

Course codes ending in 4 are for places in vocational education and training (VET) courses. The VET provider will determine whether you are eligible for a government-funded place or a full-fee place and the fees you are required to pay.

VET courses and fees

For the latest information, and to find out if you are eligible for government funding for VET places in 2018, see the Further Education and Training website: www.education.vic.gov.au/training

Important note: If you have received an offer for a VET course that has diploma or advanced diploma qualifications, in some cases you may be required to enrol in the certificate level qualification before proceeding to the diploma level which may affect your eligibility for government funding.

Please also note that because the Australian Government VET Student Loans scheme is only available for diploma level and above, you may be required to pay fees up front to complete certificate level qualifications. To find out which VET courses require enrolment at certificate level please contact the VET provider.

Fee amounts and payments

To find out the amount you are required to pay and the payment options, refer to the tertiary institution that has made you an offer. For information about government help to pay your fees, see the Study Assist website: www.studyassist.gov.au

This article was provided by VTAC