Undergraduate applications and offers

Early offer schemes for Year 12 students

While the ATAR is still the main selection tool used by most unis, there are other ways for you to show that you’re ready to succeed at tertiary study.

Many institutions have one or more early offer schemes for Year 12 students. Through these schemes, the institutions will assess you using criteria other than (or in addition to) your ATAR. Always check the institution websites to make sure the courses you are applying for are covered by the schemes.

Listed below are the key dates, assessment criteria and application details for the available early offer schemes.

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Other entry options

Educational Access Scheme (EAS): Institutions use this to take into account the educational disadvantages many applicants experience (eg financial hardship, illness, severe family disruption). If you think this might apply to you, make sure you complete an EAS application and claim all the disadvantages that have affected your studies. How to apply for EAS.

Pathway courses: If you successfully complete a non-degree course, such as foundation studies, a preparatory course, or a certificate or diploma, a university may guarantee you entry into a degree. Otherwise, you can use your non-degree studies to apply and compete for admission to other degree courses. You may also be awarded credit for studies undertaken in your non-degree course. Some unis offer an even larger range of prep courses to help you move into your degree. Contact the individual institutions to get the most up-to-date information. Other pathways to uni.

The following institutions will make early offers to Year 12 students through the Schools Recommendation Scheme:

  • AIE Institute
  • Australian Catholic University
  • Australian College of Physical Education
  • Charles Sturt University
  • International College of Management, Sydney
  • Macquarie University
  • National Art School
  • SAE University College
  • Torrens University Australia
  • University of Canberra
  • University of New England
  • University of Newcastle
  • University of Notre Dame Australia
  • University of Technology Sydney
  • Western Sydney University.

These institutions use one or more of the following assessment criteria:

  • Year 11 studies
  • school’s rating of your aptitudes
  • Educational Access Scheme (EAS) application
  • ATAR
  • other institution-specific requirements (eg course prerequisites, interview, portfolio).

Applications are processed by UAC and close 5 September 2025.

Important dates

TBC.

Assessment criteria
  • Applicants must be a minimum of 17 years of age at the time of applying.
  • Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents
  • All offers are conditional and subject to completion of Year 12.
How to apply

Apply online via the AIT website info.ait.edu.au/apply-now-eoi

Important dates

Applications are open.
Assessment criteria
  • Year 11 or Year 12 reports
  • Creative works related to degree major
How to apply Apply online via the AIE Institute website aieinstitute.edu.au/early-entry

ACU Guarantee

Important dates
  • 21 Jul 2025: applications open
  • 15 Sep 2025: applications close
  • 5 Sep 2025: offer rounds commence and follow every fortnight

Offers for the following courses will not be made until offer round 2:

  • Bachelor of Midwifery
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, Ballarat and Canberra campuses
  • Bachelor of Speech Pathology, Canberra campus
Assessment criteria

To be eligible you must be a 2025 Year 12 student with an Australian citizenship or permanent residency who completed Year 11 (including the IB) in Australia.

You can also choose to supply a brief statement outlining your personal circumstances and motivation for university study, which may help improve your selection rank.
How to apply Apply online via the ACU website study-at-acu/admission-pathways/acu-guarantee

Early Entry Program for Year 12 Students

Important dates
  • 7 Apr 2025: applications open
  • Sep 2025 onwards: offers released
Assessment criteria
  • Performance in relevant Year 11 subjects
  • Completion of Year 12
How to apply

Apply online via the ACPE website acpe.edu.au/admissions/entry-pathways

Priority Entry

Important dates
  • 7 Mar 2025: applications open
  • Mid-Dec onwards: offers released
Assessment criteria
  • Results in relevant Year 12 subjects (including English)
How to apply

Apply online via the ACPE website acpe.edu.au/admissions/entry-pathways

Direct application early admission

Important dates
  • 3 Mar 2025: applications open
  • 15 May 2025: Applications close
  • 4 Sep 2025: Early conditional offers released based on your ANU selection rank.
  • Late Dec 2025: First unconditional offers released
Assessment criteria
  • ANU selection rank (Year 11 results + adjustment factors)
  • Receive an ATAR
How to apply

Apply online via ANU admissions study.anu.edu.au/apply/domestic-undergraduate/how-apply/early-offer-application

Charles Sturt Advantage

Important dates
  • TBC: applications open
  • 31 Jul 2025: early bird applications close
  • 1 Sep 2025: early bird offers released
Assessment criteria
  • Short written submission demonstrating soft skills such as resilience, empathy and the motivation to create a world worth living in
  • Year 11 results
How to apply

Apply online via the Charles Sturt website study.csu.edu.au/information-for/school-leavers/charles-sturt-advantage

Early Entry

Important date

Applications are open.
How to apply

Apply for ICMS Early Entry icms.edu.au/future-students/entry-pathways/early-entry

Leadership Entry Program

Important date

Applications are open.
How to apply

Apply for ICMS Leadership Entry Program icms.edu.au/future-students/entry-pathways/leadership-entry-program

Elite Athlete and Performer Entry Program

Important date

Applications are open.

How to apply

Apply for Elite Athlete and Performer Entry Program icms.edu.au/future-students/entry-pathways/leadership-entry-program



Aspire Community Contribution

Our Aspire Community Contribution Program rewards your involvement in community, leadership and volunteering with an early conditional offer into your chosen course at La Trobe.

Visit the La Trobe University website for further information about the Aspire program latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire, including 2026 selection criteria and dates.

Important dates
  • TBC: Applications open
  • TBC: Applications close
  • Sep: Conditional offers released
  • Dec: Unconditional offers released after this date based on ATAR
Assessment criteria Two 100-word descriptions of involvement in and impact of your community engagement and/or volunteering.
How to apply Apply online via La Trobe University website latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire

Aspire Year 11 Conditional Entry

The Year 11 Conditional Entry program uses your performance in Year 11 to secure an early conditional offer into a range of La Trobe courses.

Visit the La Trobe University website for further information about the Aspire program latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire, including 2026 selection criteria and dates.

Important dates
  • TBC: Applications open
  • TBC: Applications close
  • TBC: Conditional offers released
  • Dec: Unconditional offers released after this date based on completion of Year 12
Assessment criteria
  • Your Year 11 results
  • Your school's endorsement of your academic achievement and other essential skills
How to apply Apply online via La Trobe University website latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire

Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme

Important dates
  • 16 Jun 2025: applications open
  • TBC: applications close
Assessment criteria Applicants need to demonstrate their leadership qualities and/or how they have contributed towards positive change in their community and performed well in Year 11.

There are two selection components:
  1. demonstration of leadership and service to their community by completing the Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme questions when applying online
  2. Year 11 studies.

Note that applicants for the Bachelor of Marketing and Media and the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies and its double degrees are required to have undertaken specific English and/or mathematics subjects in the HSC, ACT Senior Secondary Certificate or International Baccalaureate.

Applicants for teaching courses need to complete and pass a survey before an offer is made.

All applicants must complete their Year 12 schooling successfully including Year 12 examinations (or assessments as determined by NESA or their state education body) or an International Baccalaureate Diploma in 2025.
How to apply

Apply online via the Macquarie University website mq.edu.au/study/admissions-and-entry/pathways/schemes/leaders-achievers

Early Offer

Important dates
  • Sep: applications close
  • Nov: offers released
Assessment criteria
  • High school results
  • Principal’s recommendation
How to apply

Apply online via the Southern Cross University website scu.edu.au/study/high-school-students/entry-pathways/early-offer

Early Entry Program

Important dates

TBC: applications close
Assessment criteria

Standard course admission criteria
How to apply

Apply online via the Torrens University website torrens.edu.au/how-to-apply/early-entry-program

UC Early Offer Scheme

Important dates
  • 19 May 2025: applications open
  • 17 Aug 2025: applications close
  • 31 Aug 2025: early offer document deadline
  • 15 Sep 2025: offers released
Assessment criteria
  • Year 11 results
  • A 300-word personal statement
How to apply

Apply online via the University of Canberra website canberra.edu.au/future-students/apply-to-uc/early-offer-scheme

Early Entry

Important dates
  • Mar 2025: applications open

UNE Early Entry Offers will be made in 2 rounds:

Round 1

  • Jul 2025: applications close
  • Sep 2025: offers released by UNE

Round 2

  • Oct 2025: applications close
  • Nov 2025: offers released by UNE
Assessment criteria

Your school/TAFE assessment of your attributes and abilities. The assessment is based around your ability to work and learn independently, as well as your overall potential for academic success at UNE.

All direct Early Entry offers will assume that applicants will complete all requirements of their 2025 Australian Year 12 qualification (or an equivalent program via TAFE).

For more information about UNE Early Entry une.edu.au/study/study-on-campus/early-entry
How to apply

Apply online via the UNE Early Entry application une.edu.au/study/study-on-campus/early-entry. Ensure any additional supporting documentation is attached.

Your application will be sent electronically to your school for the principal’s review. In order for your application to be considered, your school needs to approve and submit the application to UNE on your behalf before the closing date.

Early Entry Program

Important dates
  • 9 Apr 2025: applications open
  • 4 Sep 2025: early offer round one (for applications submitted between 9 April and 4 September)
  • 25 Sep 2025: early offer round two (for applications submitted between 5 September and 25 September)

For more details, refer to the University of Newcastle Early Entry Program FAQs newcastle.edu.au/early/early-entry-program-faqs
Assessment criteria

Strong performance in Year 11

Open to domestic Year 12 students completing one of the following qualifications in 2024:

  • NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC)
  • ACT Senior Secondary Certificate (ACT SSC).

Applicants must be undertaking a pattern of study that indicates they are eligible for an ATAR in Year 12.
How to apply

Submit a direct application via the University of Newcastle website newcastle.edu.au/early

Indigenous and Refugee Law Early Entry Scheme

Important dates
  • TBC
Assessment criteria
  • Strong performance at school
  • School recommendation
  • Selection interview
Visit the University of Newcastle website for information about the Indigenous early entry scheme newcastle.edu.au/school/law-and-justice/experience/indigenous-early-entry-scheme or the Refugee early entry scheme newcastle.edu.au/school/law-and-justice/experience/refugee-early-entry-scheme
How to apply

List 483100 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined as a UAC preference.
Submit a direct application via the University of Newcastle website newcastle.edu.au/study/undergraduate/getting-in/entry-schemes


Early Offer Program

Important dates
  • 1 May 2025: applications open
  • 1 Sep 2025: Round 1 offers released (for applications completed by 19 Aug)
  • 19 Sep 2025: Round 2 offers released (for applications completed by 13 Sept)
  • 3 Oct 2025: Round 3 offers released (for applications completed by 26 Sept)
  • 10 Dec 2025: Round 4 offers released (for applications completed by 4 Dec)
Assessment criteria
  • NESA Preliminary Stage 6 (Year 11) courses and grades
  • Year 11 and 12 school reports
  • Application questions and supporting documents
How to apply

Apply online via the University of Notre Dame website notredame.edu.au/early-offer

Gadigal Program

Important dates
  • Aug 2025 (TBC): application deadline
  • Sep (TBC): conditional offers released
Assessment criteria
  • Gadigal application form
  • Confirmation of Aboriginality (COA)
How to apply

Complete your UAC undergraduate application, ensuring you self-identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, then put at least one University of Sydney course in your UAC preference list

Creative Arts Special Admissions Scheme

Important dates

For University of Sydney Visual Arts pathway
Portfolios due: 14 August 2025
Application submission deadline through UAC: Sep Round 2

For University of Sydney Music pathways, audition and interviews dates are TBC.
Assessment criteria
  • For University of Sydney Music pathways, an audition and interview in addition to Academic Results from Year 11 and Year 12 at the time of submitting an application
  • For University of Sydney Visual Arts pathway, submission of a portfolio of work in addition to Academic Results from Year 11 and Year 12 at the time of submitting an application. Predicted ATAR scores will be obtained by the Sydney College of Arts through UAC for students sitting the HSC or they must be submitted directly if a student is an interstate applicant.
How to apply

Complete your UAC undergraduate application by the relevant August Round 1 or October Round 1 deadline and list your chosen degree as your highest eligible preference.

UTS Early Entry Program

Important dates
  • 4 Jun 2025: applications open
  • 8 Sep 2025: applications close
  • 24 Sep 2025: provisional offers released
Assessment criteria
  • Year 11 results
  • Meet minimum ATAR requirements to confirm provisional offer
  • Completion of Australian Senior Secondary Qualification (eg HSC or interstate equivalent) or International Baccalaureate
  • Engineering and IT applicants only: your Year 11 grades in relevant STEM subjects can be given extra weighting
How to apply

Apply online via the UTS website uts.edu.au/for-students/admissions-entry/entry-schemes/early-entry

Early Admission

Important dates
  • 16 Jun 2025: applications open
  • 8 Aug 2025: applications close
  • Sep 2025: offers released
Assessment criteria
  • You need to be on track to complete an Australian senior secondary qualification (eg HSC or interstate equivalent) or be completing the IB Diploma.
  • Your Year 11 results.
  • Your responses to questions in your application addressing the themes of academic readiness, motivation and passion, planning and persistence, communication and collaboration.
How to apply

Apply online via the University of Wollongong website uow.edu.au/early-admission

UNSW Gateway Admission Pathway

The Gateway Admission Pathway is an alternative pathway to UNSW which considers more than just your ATAR. It offers early entry to UNSW or a significantly lower ATAR entry requirement for a range of degrees.

Important dates

Round 1

  • 10 Apr 2025: applications open
  • 23 Jul 2025: applications close
  • 4 Sep 2025: offers released

Round 2

  • 4 Sep 2025: applications open
  • 12 Nov 2025: applications close
  • 5 Dec 2025: offers released
Assessment criteria

To be eligible for the Gateway Admission Pathway, you must:

  • be an Australian permanent resident, citizen or New Zealand citizen
  • be completing an Australian Year 12 qualification in the year of application
  • attend a Gateway school; or live in a low-socioeconomic area based on IRSAD or IEO indexes of SEIFA criteria; or are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
How to apply

UNSW Gateway Admission Pathway Application Portal unsw.uac.edu.au/unsw-gateway

UNSW Portfolio Entry Early Conditional Offer Scheme

The UNSW Portfolio Entry Scheme offers early conditional offers for select degrees across UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture and UNSW Engineering. Successful applicants will receive an early conditional offer with an adjusted ATAR entry requirement of up to 10 ATAR points below the lowest selection rank for a specific degree or range of related degrees.

Important dates

Round 1

  • 5 May 2025: applications open
  • 12pm 21 Jul 2025: applications close
  • 5 Sep 2025: early conditional offers released

Round 2

  • 6 Sep 2025: applications open
  • 12pm 17 Nov 2025: applications close
  • 5 Dec 2025: early conditional offers released
Assessment criteria

To be eligible for the Portfolio Entry Early Conditional Offer Scheme, you must:

  • be an Australian resident
    AND
  • be completing an Australian Year 12 qualification in the year of application
    OR
  • have completed tertiary studies
    OR
  • have completed Year 12 studies in the last 5 years
How to apply

UNSW's Portfolio Entry portal unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/undergraduate/admission-pathways/portfolio-entry

HSC True Reward

Important dates
  • 3 Apr 2025: applications open
  • Multiple offer rounds between September and January. Visit the HSC True Reward website for application closing and offer dates for each round westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward
Assessment criteria

HSC True Reward offers are made based on Year 11 and/or Year 12 results. Depending on the undergraduate degree you choose, you need to meet a specified HSC band outcome in nominated courses. Some degrees are excluded from this program.

Some conditions apply.
How to apply

Apply online via the Western Sydney University website westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward