VTAC AND THE TERTIARY
APPLICATION PROCESS
THURSDAY AUGUST 8, 2013
Topics to be covered
• VTAC Guide 2014 - the importance of becoming familiar with its
contents. All Year 12 students have now received a personal copy.
• The tertiary application process. Process of application – On-Line
• Key dates and deadlines
• Sources of advice and help
• Selection and the ATAR
VTAC Guide 2014
• The VTAC Guide and website are essential resources and
must be referred to during the whole application and
selection period. i.e. August 2013 to February 2014.
• Most sections are relevant and should be read
accordingly. See the documents distributed
to all students
Through VTAC you,
 REGISTER
 APPLY
 RESULTS AND CHANGE OF PREFERENCE
 OFFERS/ACCEPTANCE
 ADDITIONAL FORMS
Application process for
courses through VTAC
Register
Receive VTAC ID and PIN
Login to VTAC User Account
Apply for courses
Apply for SEAS
Apply for
STAT/DULSAT
Apply for
Scholarships
Application – How to Register
• Students must register for a VTAC ID and
nominate their own PIN via the VTAC website
www.vtac.edu.au
• If they are a current Victorian Year 12 student
their VCAA student number will be recorded as
their VTAC ID.
• When they register they will be asked to select
their own PIN.
VTAC User Account
Your VTAC User Account only becomes available
after registration. With your VTAC ID and PIN you
login into your user account to
• view or change your course application
• apply for SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme)
• complete and submit the VTAC Personal History
online
• print your documentation cover sheet
• view your ATAR
• view your offers
Course Application
• Closing date for applications 5.00pm Friday
27 September Late fees apply after this date
• All students must have their preferences
lodged and a copy to the Careers Centre by
the end of this term
• Maximum of twelve preferences
Course Application process = Online
• Internet - VTAC website www.vtac.edu.au
• Cost of application = $27.00 (on-line by debit
/credit card or “Paypal”). Applications can be paid
later – but don’t forget!!
• Failure to pay by close of Change of Preference
will result in the non-processing of application.
Applying on-line
• Refer to the “ABC of Applying” for
application instructions
• Note the requirement to enter Unit 3&4
subjects studied in previous years
• Ensure that you will meet prerequisites and any
special requirements for all course listed
• List courses IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE
Course Prerequisites
• Prerequisites - It is very important to check that
you have the pre-requisite subjects. If not, your
application will not be considered
• Note: The printed VTAC Guide will only indicate
the existence of prerequisites. You will need to
check the course entry on-line to find details
• From VTAC homepage go to Coursesearch
and enter the course code
Extra Requirements
• Extra Requirements - Many courses have
additional requirements such as interviews, folios,
supplementary forms, auditions etc. Failure to
complete these will render you ineligible.
• Most Extra Requirements have completion dates
which make it impossible to add the course at
Change of Preference time in December.
• Check the institution & VTAC websites for details
VET and Higher education -
Application process
(cont.)
• VTAC website can be accessed from anywhere in
the world.
• On-line application provides printed copy of
application. Can be completed at school with
assistance from Careers staff.
Types of Courses – Payment Options
Most local students will apply for
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
These courses attract a HECS debt which
is repayable through the tax system. All
CSP Course Codes end in “1”
Privately run independent tertiary colleges
will only offer full-fee places. Some of these
courses will qualify for “FEE HELP”. Course
Codes end in “2”.
Types of Courses – Payment
Options
• International students have separate Course
Codes. These end in “3”.
• Most Vocational Education and Training courses
at TAFE institutes are government funded for
students under 20. Many of these course will end
in “4” (fees at the discretion of the institution) to
indicate that older students may have to pay fees.
Results and the ATAR
How is the ATAR calculated?
• VTAC uses VCE results issued by VCAA (Victorian
Curriculum and Assessment Authority) to calculate the
ATAR.
• The ATAR is developed from an aggregate produced by
adding:
– Scaled subject score in English, English Language, Literature or
ESL
– The next best three scaled subject scores; and
– 10% of the fifth and sixth scaled subject scores that are available.
Results
• Results and ATAR available via internet, SMS (must preregister) or telephone - December 16 from 7 a.m. Don’t
rely on SMS if overseas – safer to use the internet option.
• Statements of results and ATAR mailed to selected
address - December 18.
• Careers and curriculum staff available in school from
December 16, 2013
• Most universities and TAFE colleges and private providers
offer information sessions/hotlines at this time. Details in
Term 4.
COP (Change of Preference)
August 5– October 25 and
November 25 – December 23.
Closes at 12 noon. - not 5 past !!!
• All students are invited to make appointments with
Careers Staff to fine tune their selections. We will
be at school from Monday to Friday of “results
week”. Don’t leave it until the last day!!
• Final selection of courses should be in preference
order not score order
Selection and Offer Process
• Many courses use other selection criteria:
interview; folio; test (e.g. UMAT); attend
information session
Course Offers
• Students will only receive one offer - the highest
preferenced course for which they qualify.
• Students who apply for both CSP and full-fee
courses will only receive one offer. This reinforces
the need to list preferences to truly reflect your
wishes.
Offers – Important Dates
• Offers for International students 2.00pm January 13 2014
• First round offers for local students 2.00 p.m. January 17
2014
• Second Round offers for local students, 2.00 p.m.
February 6 2014
Special Consideration =
VCAA Process & VTAC Process
• The VCAA and VTAC processes exist to help
provide a “level playing field” for students who
have suffered difficulties (short or long term)
which have significantly affected their
performance.
• The school can help BUT only if we know about
the problem. It is too late to tell us after you get
your results.
Special Entry Access Scheme
(SEAS) = VTAC Process
• All VTAC institutions now use a centralised
application process for students who suffer
disadvantage during their education.
• Disadvantage can be through a range of factors,
including illness/disability, difficult family
circumstances, socio-economic problems,
unfamiliarity with English.
• Six different categories:
– Most relate to long term situations.
– Some categories include consideration of issues
restricted to Year 11 and/or12.
Special Entry Access Scheme
(SEAS) = VTAC process
• Student must have experienced a problem which has
affected his education over a time greater than specific
examination/SAC periods (these are covered by VCAA
processes).
• Could be a long-term illness, family circumstances that
have placed extra burdens on the student, non-English
speaking background etc.
• Criteria for each institution on page 29 of the guide
• Application is completed on the VTAC website. Student
must have completed a VTAC course application before
accessing SEAS.
VTAC – SEAS(cont.)
• Supporting statements and evidence required from
school and relevant professionals. Obtain written
supporting statement before submitting through
Careers staff.
• Some universities use this process for
Access Scholarships.
• CLOSING DATE – 5.00 PM TUESDAY
OCTOBER 8 2013.
Key Application Dates & Deadlines
• Applications open - August 5 2013
• Lodge timely application by 5.00 pm September 27
• Results and ATAR 7.00am December 16 2013
• Change of preferences November 25 to 12.00
noon December 23 2013
Key Dates for Offers 2014
• First Round offers - January 17 2014 Offers via the
VTAC User Account (VTAC website).
• Enrolments for first round offers - late January.
• Second Round offers - February 6 2014
• Semester 1 commences late February early March
= most universities. TAFE courses commence early
February.
• PLAN YOUR HOLIDAYS CAREFULLY!
Resources
• Careers Counsellors, Curriculum Office staff,
Heads of House and Tutors, teachers, friends and
family.
• Course selection and liaison officers at institutions
- use them at Open Days/ Infolines/Websites
• VTAC website: www.vtac.edu.au
• Twitter @vtacguide
• Blog for everyone
http://vtacmedia.wordpress.com
Interstate Applications
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QTAC = Queensland
SATAC = South Australia
Tasmania = Direct to UTAS
TISC = Western Australia
UAC = ACT & NSW
TAX FILE NUMBERS
• In order to enrol in a Commonwealth Supported
Place a student must have a Tax File Number.
• Lack of a TFN will delay or (sometimes) prevent
enrolment.
• Make sure you have a TFN by applying through
the “Schools Tax File Number System”.
• Fill in a TFN application and submit it to the
Careers Centre. We will endorse and send to the
Australian Tax Office.
QUESTIONS?
• CONTACTS:
Frank Thompson 9865 7546
fcthompson@mgs.vic.edu.au
Hermione Skadiang 9865 7547
hhskadiang@mgs.vic.edu.au