Attention current applicants! You’re already planning your journey into higher education and you’re on top of your key dates and prerequisites. Now, the task of arranging your course preferences on your QTAC application. The order in which you list your preferred courses can significantly impact your academic path. Rest assured, we’ve compiled a quick guide to help you navigate this pivotal aspect of your application process. And remember, utilise all six preferences to maximise your chances of getting an offer.

1️⃣ & 2️⃣: Dream Big, Place First

The first two courses in your preference list should be reserved for your dream courses. Select the courses that fuel your passion and resonate deeply with your academic aspirations. These are the programs you’ve envisioned, so feel free to prioritise them accordingly.

3️⃣ & 4️⃣: Prepare for Plan B

Life is unpredictable and doesn’t always go to plan, so make sure you plan ahead. For courses three and four, consider selecting backup courses that still spark your interest. Opt for less competitive options to ensure you have solid alternatives in case your first choices don’t pan out. Choose to remain within the same field of study, offering the potential to accumulate credits for your desired course at a later stage. Alternatively, consider exploring a completely different field that piques your interest, where you anticipate excelling and securing the grades needed for a successful transfer in the future.

5️⃣ & 6️⃣: Pave Your Pathway

As you move down your preference list, think strategically. Place courses that could serve as pathways to your ultimate academic goal. These could be programs that align with your interests and lead you step by step toward your dream career. It’s all about building a comprehensive plan for success. Check what you need, is it a subject prerequisite? Is it a subject prerequisite and a higher rank? Or, is it just a higher rank?

Pro Tip: Visit qtac.edu.au/preferences/ and explore the preferences how-to guide for detailed insights on optimising your preferences. This resource is your key to making informed decisions and boosting your chances of securing a spot in your desired program.

Quick Reminder: Check out qtac.edu.au/course-search to easily find your courses and their QTAC course codes. This will streamline your application process and ensure you’re on the right track to academic success.

Key Insight: Before finalising your preferences, visit: qtac.edu.au/the-atar-selection-rank-profile/ and explore the minimum selection thresholds for programs. Craft strategic backup preferences aligned with your strengths for a well-informed application.

Important Date: Visit qtac.edu.au/key-dates/ for all the upcoming important dates. The key date to update your preferences for consideration in the next offer round on 11 January 2024 is 11.45 pm on 4 January. Mark your calendars and ensure your preferences are in order by this deadline to maximise your chances of success.

In the dynamic world of university admissions, staying organised and informed is your secret weapon. So, maximise your chances, plan your options, and kickstart this next phase of your journey towards a brighter future.

If you need help, call us on 1300 467 822. 

Exploring your options, beyond the traditional path to university!

The journey to university isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes, it’s about finding alternative paths that suit YOU. Here’s some food for thought:

1️⃣   Employment: Your work experience could be your ticket to university, and most of the time it doesn’t have to relate to what you are applying for.

Find out further information on employment experience and documenting your employment on your application.

2️⃣   Bridging courses: Most institutions offer bridging units or courses to meet subject prerequisites.

Find out about the various purposes bridging courses may be useful, and specific institution programs.

3️⃣   VET: Consider Vocational Education and Training study for practical, hands-on learning. But check with the institution what they may consider.

4️⃣   Tertiary: Explore different programs for a higher selection rank to transition into your dream course.

Visit Course Search to explore your options, and check the Selection Rank Profile page for minimum selection thresholds for specific programs.

5️⃣   STAT: The Special Tertiary Admissions Test can be a quick way to get or increase your selection rank. Check institution rules and if STAT is right for you before registering.

Remember, everyone’s journey is unique! Embrace the possibilities and discover the path that aligns with your goals and aspirations.

If you need more help, call us on 1300 467 822. 

Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of another inspiring student who was one of this year’s TSXPO Prize Pack winners, Zander Vollenhoven from Ferny Grove State High School.

Zander has a clear vision for his future – he aspires to study engineering at university but is unsure whether his ATAR will meet the entry requirements for entry. Instead of letting that deter him, he’s taking proactive steps to explore alternative pathways to success.

Zander has explored his alternative route to university, considering diploma study as a stepping stone to bridge the gap between his current qualifications and the requirements for engineering at university.

TSXPO not only helped him work out where his passions lie, but taught him a valuable lesson about options – different universities can have varying ranks and entry requirements for admission for similar degrees. This information can be crucial in making an informed choice about your educational path.

We applaud Zander for his proactive approach to achieving his future study goals. Regardless of where you are in your academic journey, keep in mind that determination, exploration, and making the most of available resources can help you reach your goals. So, future students, embrace your journey, and may it guide you toward a bright and successful future.

If you’re like Zander and you’re considering entry into university, but you’re unsure whether you will get the ATAR you anticipate, don’t panic! You may still get an offer. Here are a few things you can consider and check first:

• Offer dates: Most offers for Semester 1, 2024 will be released 11 January 2024. However, participation in early offer rounds is done at the Institution’s discretion and normally only considers a small pool of highly eligible applicants. You can view the Course Offers and Vacancies page for information on offer rounds coming up. If you wish to change your preferences, the due date for consideration is 3 January 2024, so you have time are your ATAR is released.
• Check your options: There are plenty of upgrading pathways, see what options there are to get into your desired course of study.
• Competitive courses: If you are applying for a highly competitive program and you fear you may not get in, make sure you utlilise all of your preferences. Consider alternative programs with a lower rank requirement just in case, you could apply for something completely different or something similar and receive credits for the following year.
• New ATAR: If you wish to continue a Year 12 study pathway to accumulate further QCE subjects towards a new ATAR, here are a few points you need to know:
  • To be eligible for a new ATAR you will need to take a course of study that meets the ATAR eligibility requirements. Check the guidelines in the ATAR Factsheet – Qualifying for a New ATAR.
  • Look at different providers who offer an alternative to doing year 12 at school.
  • Whatever pathway you choose – Any subjects that you study must be recognised by the QCAA as equivalent to the QCE subjects.
  • If you want to a specific program, at some universities you may need to be a current year 12, so check your pathway for further study carefully before applying.

Our QTAC customer service team is ready to help.

Call us on 1300 467 822. 

Looking to make your QTAC application a smooth success?

Here are valuable tips from our Assessment & Information Services Team to give you the best chance of securing an offer for your preferred preference*.

• Research Wisely: Explore course options and admission criteria using QTAC’s Course Search.
• Eligibility Check: Ensure you meet all course requirements, including prerequisites and selection rank thresholds.
• Be Deadline Savvy: Keep track of early or fixed closing dates for your desired courses.
• Set Up Your Account: Create your QTAC account through Application Services.
• Completeness Matters: Fill in all application sections thoroughly before submission, most importantly listed all of your qualifications, even if they are yet to be completed.
• Document Early: Submit all required documentation promptly to avoid delays.
• Be Prepared: Fulfill eligibility requirements (e.g., portfolios, subject prerequisites, personal statements) before course-specific deadlines.
• Prioritise Preferences: Order your course preferences carefully to avoid missing out on top choices. If you’re unsure whether you might get into your top preference, take advantage listing all six preferences.
  • Preference 1 – 2: Desired courses. These are the courses you want to study most, and entrance requirements are more competitive
  • Preference 3 – 4: Back-up courses. These are alternative courses you’d like to study with less competitive entrance requirements (e.g., courses with a lower ran requirement)
  • Preference 5 – 6: Pathway courses. These are bridging and enabling courses that can help you get into the course you want and prepare you for tertiary study.
• Double-Check: Review your application after completion by logging into your QTAC account through Application Services.
• Stay Responsive: Respond promptly to any requests for additional information or documents from QTAC.
• Plan Ahead: Make necessary changes to your application and preferences well before offer rounds – refer to Key Dates for deadlines.
• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on course offer dates and vacancy information from individual institutions.
• Act Swiftly: Respond promptly to offer notifications; your timely response can impact further offer rounds. Don’t let offers expire!
• Lastly: If you receive an offer and have already responded, firstly congratulations! Make sure you check your offer details, including institution enrolment dates and deadlines. Keep in mind that competitive courses fill up quickly, so act promptly to secure your spot.

Additional tips for your application

• USI: If you are an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a permanent humanitarian visa, a Unique Student Identifier (USI) is a must-have for the application process. No USI yet? Create a USI here. Forget your USI? Recovering your existing USI here.
• UCAT: Heard of the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)? If not, you probably won’t need it. Keep this field blank and continue through your application. But if it’s required for your dream course, check the UCAT website or Course Search for your program Admission Criteria. The only Queensland programs that require UCAT are:
  • Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), Central Queensland University
  • Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine), Central Queensland University
  • Bachelor of Dental Health Science, Griffith University
  • Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) (Provisional Entry for School-Leavers), The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (Medicine Pathway), University of Southern Queensland
• Rural Access Scheme: Applying to CQUniversity, Griffith University, The University of Queensland, or University of the Sunshine Coast? You might receive details about the Rural Access Scheme. If you’re not from a rural area, you can safely disregard this automated message and proceed with your application.
• Consent: We can only discuss your QTAC application with you directly, or someone you authorise. If you want a family member or guardian to access your application and act on your behalf, simply enter their details in the authorised contacts section of your application.

Register for your ATAR: Queensland Year 12 applicants, remember to also sign up in the ATAR Portal for your Queensland ATAR separately.

Note: The consent to share your ATAR with interstate TAC’s is part of the mandatory consent in the ATAR portal and QTAC application registration.

Your path to success begins here – follow these tips to navigate your academic journey smoothly!

Our QTAC customer service team us ready to help.

Call us on 1300 467 822.

*Disclaimer – These are general guidelines only. Because of the complex nature of individual institutional course requirements, QTAC takes no responsibility for individual outcomes based on this advice. All applicants should thoroughly research and check their applications after submission. 

Regional students face unique challenges not usually experienced by those living in major cities. Leanne, one of our QTAC applicants and a 2022 Year 12 graduate from Innisfail in Far North Queensland, shares her story as an inspiration to other regional students. Leanne’s hard work at school and her excellent Year 12 results paid off when she received an offer for her first preference course, the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery at James Cook University in Townsville. 

Having experienced first-hand the limited health services in rural areas, Leanne says she always wanted to make a difference in rural communities. It is also why her first preference was a medicine course with a focus on rural health. “For me the course was more important than the university. If I had received my second or third preference, I would still be happy since the end goal of becoming a health professional in order to help others in times of need would be more important to me than the university.”  

One of Leanne’s biggest motivations for study during Year 11 and Year 12 was her desire to pursue a degree in health. Noting that, if she had missed out on an offer for medicine this year, her Plan B was to study Pharmacy as a pathway to Medicine. 

Studying at a small school in a regional area can be more challenging since there is often less availability of services, resources, and teachers. Leanne’s message to other rural students is that, despite the challenges you can still do well in your studies. “It is not impossible. You are more capable than what you think you are!”  

So, you’ve finished year 12 and have received your QCE and ATAR results

Congratulations. No matter your pathway, achieving your ATAR and/or VET qualification is a significant achievement for those looking to study further after school.  

To help you keep on track with your QTAC application and upcoming offer rounds we’ve put together a summary of some key information. 

Offer Round dates 

You may have already received an early offer, or early conditional offer, from an institution. Keep an eye out for further communications about what to do with that offer. If you’re a QTAC applicant waiting for your offer, the 21 December 2023 is the first offer round where current Year 12 applicants can be considered for an offer based on their ATAR. 

Please note:  Not all courses will be participating in this offer round. If your course isn’t offered in December, don’t worry as most courses will participate in the 11 January 2024 Offer Round. 

For information on individual institutions’ course offer dates and vacancies please refer to the institutions’ Course Offer Dates page. If you don’t get an offer on 11 January, you have the option to change your preferences and try for something different in the offer rounds throughout January and February 2024. 

What to do if you get your offer 

Make sure you respond to your offer by the date given with your offer. Remember, you may lose your offer if you allow your offer to expire, or if you receive a new offer for the same semester. The QTAC Offers webpage steps you through how to respond to your offer and how to log in to QTAC Application Services. 

Did you get the ATAR you had hoped for or needed? 

If you did, that’s great news!  It’s not long to wait now for offers to be released. 

If you are not sure that your ATAR will get you into your preferred course – don’t panic! You may still get an offer. Entry requirements for courses are made up of more than just ATARs and institutions’ minimum selection thresholds may not yet be decided. Play it safe, add in some back up courses and make sure you follow the QTAC preferencing advice. 

Check and change your preferences 

Now you have your QCE results and ATAR result, check the course entry requirements for your preferenced courses. If you don’t meet the prerequisites or minimum selection ranks, you may need to look at changing your preferences.  Just remember, you can only change your preferences for free, three times. 

Upgrading Pathways 

If you didn’t get the ATAR or the course offer you had hoped for by the January 11 offer round, there are many ways to achieve your goals. Check out the information on upgrading pathway options. There are many pathway options which can help you work towards getting into your dream course. This could involve bridging courses, upgrading via tertiary study or tertiary preparation courses to assist with gaining a higher rank and/ or meeting subject prerequisites.  

Non-ATAR pathways 

Did you know that you can gain entry into many institutions, for certain courses, without an ATAR? Using the standalone selection ranks that VET qualifications, such as Diplomas and Certificates, can give may be a great pathway into your dream course. Check the individual institutions and specific courses for entry requirements. 

What about improving your ATAR if you really need to get into the course you want? 

If pathways aren’t for you, then you can consider further year 12 study. See the Factsheet on Qualifying for a New ATAR for more detail. 

Need assistance with your application? 

The QTAC Customer Service team are experienced in helping applicants navigate through applications and to find suitable course options and pathways. 

Call us on 1300 467 822 

Or use the QTAC Contact form to send a message to us.

Every QTAC application is individually assessed by QTAC’s specialist Assessors. Our small team assesses close to 70,000 applications every year. We asked our experts to share their hot tips for making sure your application has a smooth run through the system to give you the best chance of getting an offer for your preferred course*. 

1. Research course options and admission criteria thoroughly before putting in your application using QTAC’s Course Search.  
2. Check that you can meet all course eligibility requirements i.e. prerequisite subjects and selection rank thresholds.  
3. Check if there are early or fixed closing dates for your preferred course.  
4. Create your QTAC account through Application Services  
5. Complete all sections of the application before submitting. 
6. Submit all required documentation with your application as early as possible. 
7. Submit all eligibility requirements before the closing dates set for the specific course e.g. portfolios, subject prerequisites, personal statements, questionnaires, UCAT entry for medicine.  
8. Order your preferences carefully so you don’t miss out on that dream course. Find out more about managing preferences.  
9. Log in to your QTAC account through Application Services and check your application after completion. 
10. Respond promptly to QTAC requests for further information or documents. If you cannot supply a document, let QTAC know so that your application is not delayed. 
11. Make changes to your application and preferences well before the offer rounds. Check the Key Dates for deadlines.  
12. Check the course offer dates and vacancy information from individual institutions so that you know when to expect an offer.  
13. Respond to your offer notification as soon as you receive it. Your response can determine if you are included in further offer rounds. Your offer will expire if you do not respond to it by the specified date and time. Find out more about expired offers and how to respond to offers.   

Register for your ATAR 

Queensland applicants (2020 Year 12’s onwards), don’t forget to sign up in the ATAR Portal for your Queensland ATAR. This gives your consent for QTAC to share your results with institutions, including interstate for application purposes. 

Our QTAC assessment specialists are ready to assist you.  

Call us on 1300 467 822. 

*Disclaimer – These are general guidelines only. Because of the complex nature of individual institutional course requirements, QTAC takes no responsibility for individual outcomes based on this advice. All applicants should thoroughly research and check their applications after submission.