Tertiary Selection

Tertiary selection is arranged through VTAC (See under ENTER) and starts in the middle of the Year 12 year.

The responsibility is with the student and the process is on-line (it can be done during school time). Students need their VCE Student Number and a four-digit PIN which is allocated by VTAC and can be changed by the student. The application process is available form late July to late September and currently costs less than $20.

Students have to list courses in order of preference. The courses are listed by their course code. The last digit of the code indicates fee structure: a 1 is for government supported courses; 2 is for full-fee courses; and 3 is for international students. Up to twelve courses can be listed but only eight with the same final digit. In general terms, a student will be offered a place in the highest preference they list for which they qualify (have the required ENTER etc) so students normally list courses in ENTER order. The computer system has a ‘sort' facility to allow students to sort in ENTER or other orders. It is a good idea to put a ‘just in case' selection at preference 8: a course with an ENTER below a student's worst prediction. This will ensure that an offer is received.

Although the process closes in December, students do have another chance to change preferences after VCE results are known in December. A two-week period is allowed for this. About 40% of students do not change their preferences and the remainder generally does not make major changes at this time. The chief reason for Change of Preference is that the student has done considerably better or worse at the VCE than anticipated earlier in the year.

There are three rounds of offers: mid January; early February; and late February. About 90% of offers are made in Round 1. Eligible students may receive only one offer for each type of course (‘type' meaning having the same final digit). If the first offer a student receives is not the student's first preference the student remains eligible to receive a later offer of one the higher preferences irrespective of whether the student accepts or rejects the first offer. In practice it is generally best to accept the first offer – a better offer, if one is made, can be accepted later.

More detailed information is available at the VTAC website: www.vtac.vic.edu.au . This includes details of scholarships and other financial assistance available.