Preferences and offers

Applying to university through an admissions centre involves choosing and ordering courses, known as preferences, and responding to offers. The details differ by state, but the principles are similar. This guide explains how preferences and offers generally work and how to approach them.

This guide is general information written in our own words, based on the official sources listed at the end. ATAR rules, scaling, dates and course requirements differ between states and change from year to year, so always check with your admissions centre, institution and school. We don't predict ATARs, publish cut-offs or recommend particular schools, tutors or courses.

Admissions centres

Most undergraduate applications go through a state admissions centre: UAC (NSW and the ACT), VTAC (Victoria), QTAC (Queensland), SATAC (South Australia and the Northern Territory) or TISC (Western Australia). Some institutions also accept direct applications. You can apply through more than one centre if you're considering courses in different states.

How preferences work

You list courses in order of preference. In general, you're considered for each preference in order, and you receive an offer for the highest preference for which you're eligible and selected. That means order matters: always put the course you most want first.

Ordering your preferences

• Put your dream course first, even if it seems a long shot. Listing it lower won't improve your chances of other courses.
• Include a range. Add courses you're likely to be selected for, as well as competitive ones.
• Check prerequisites and requirements. Make sure you meet them, or will.
• Consider related courses and other campuses or study modes.
• Use course data as a guide, not a rule. See our course entry data guide.

Key dates

Each admissions centre publishes key dates: application openings, fee deadlines, closing dates for courses that need extra steps, results release and offer rounds. Some courses have early or fixed closing dates; QTAC, for example, lists courses with fixed closing dates for applications or documents. Put the dates in your calendar early.

Results release

ATARs are released in December. For 2026, VTAC says VCE results and ATARs are available from 7am on Thursday 10 December, and QTAC says Queensland ATARs are released on 18 December. Check your admissions centre for its dates.

Changing preferences after results

After you know your ATAR, you can usually change your preferences before each offer round's deadline. Use this time to review your list with your actual results and selection ranks in mind. Don't make rushed decisions on results day; talk to your careers adviser, family and university advisers first.

Offer rounds

Offers are made in rounds, typically starting with early or December rounds and continuing into January and beyond. If you don't get an offer in one round, you may receive one later. Check how your admissions centre handles later rounds and whether you can still be considered for higher preferences.

Responding to an offer

When you receive an offer, follow the instructions to accept, defer or decline it by the deadline. Missing a deadline can mean losing the offer. QTAC, for example, has information about reactivating expired offers in some situations, but don't rely on it.

Deferring

Many institutions allow you to defer an offer for a year or more, but policies vary and some courses can't be deferred. QTAC advises understanding an institution's deferment policy before accepting and then deferring.

Early offer schemes

Many universities run early offer schemes that make offers before results are released, based on Year 11 results, school recommendations or other criteria. These often have earlier application dates. Check what's available for courses you're interested in.

Access schemes

If you're applying for an equity or access scheme, submit your application and documents by the deadlines. See our selection ranks guide.

Interstate applications

You can apply to courses interstate. Your ATAR is nationally equivalent. Check the relevant admissions centre's dates and processes. See our ATAR by state guide.

Getting help

Admissions centres run information sessions and have help lines, and universities hold open days and advice sessions around results time. Your school's careers adviser can help you review preferences.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes include putting a "safe" course first instead of the one you really want, listing courses without checking prerequisites, missing early or fixed closing dates, forgetting to pay fees and missing offer acceptance deadlines. A checklist with dates can prevent most of these.

Results day planning

Plan results day in advance. Know how and when you'll receive your ATAR, have your login details ready, and arrange time to talk to someone you trust. Many admissions centres and universities run advice lines and sessions around results day.

Scholarships and accommodation

Scholarships and on-campus accommodation often have their own applications and deadlines, sometimes before offers are made. Check what's available at each institution you're considering and apply early.

Try the study planner

Our free study planner shows how many weeks you have until your first exam, splits your weekly revision hours between your subjects and suggests what to focus on in each phase. It also includes a simple selection rank adder for after results. It runs entirely in your browser, nothing you enter is sent anywhere, and it doesn't try to predict your ATAR.

Where our information comes from

Factual statements in our guides are based on official and expert sources, including the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC), the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC), the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC), healthdirect, the Australian Government's movement guidelines and ReachOut. We link to each source at the end of the page and rewrite everything in our own words.

Rules change every year

ATAR rules, scaling, adjustment schemes, key dates and course requirements are reviewed regularly and can change from one year to the next. A rule that applied to an older sibling or a friend in another state may not apply to you. Treat our guides as a starting point, and confirm anything important with your admissions centre, your school and the institutions you're applying to.

Talk to your careers adviser

Your school's careers adviser is one of the most useful people you can talk to in Year 11 and 12. They know your state's system, current key dates, early offer schemes, access schemes and pathways, and can help you plan subjects and preferences. Book a time early, bring your questions and follow up after results.

For parents and carers

Parents and carers can help most by staying calm, keeping perspective and offering practical support: quiet study space, regular meals, encouragement to sleep and move, and help keeping track of key dates. Learning the basics of how the ATAR and selection ranks work makes it easier to support decisions without adding pressure.

Tell us what you think

We review our guides regularly against their sources. If you notice something out of date, have a question we haven't answered or spot an error, please let us know through our contact page. We read every message and correct mistakes promptly.

A quick checklist

If you remember only a few things from our guides, make them these: the ATAR is a rank, not a mark; choose subjects you enjoy and need for prerequisites; study actively and spread your revision; protect your sleep; check adjustment schemes and key dates; order preferences by what you really want; and remember there's more than one pathway to where you want to go.

Looking after yourself

Doing well in senior school isn't only about study hours. Sleep, movement, food, friends and downtime all affect how well you learn and how you feel. If stress or low mood is building, talk to someone you trust, your school counsellor or your GP. Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) and Lifeline (13 11 14) are available 24/7, and in an emergency call 000.

Key points

• Order preferences by what you most want, with a range of options.
• Note key dates, including early and fixed closing dates.
• You can usually change preferences after results before each round.
• Respond to offers on time and check deferment policies.