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.
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:
- Academy of Music and Performance
- AIE Institute
- 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 11 September 2026.
| Important dates | Applications are open. |
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| Assessment criteria |
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| How to apply | Apply online via the AIT website info.ait.edu.au/apply-now-eoi |
| Important dates | Applications are open. |
|---|---|
| Assessment criteria |
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| How to apply | Apply online via the AIE Institute website aieinstitute.edu.au/early-entry |
ACU Guarantee
| Important dates |
Offers for the following courses will not be made until offer round 2:
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|---|---|
| Assessment criteria | To be eligible you must be a 2026 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
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| Assessment criteria |
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| How to apply | Apply online via the ACPE website acpe.edu.au/admissions/entry-pathways |
Priority Entry
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| Assessment criteria |
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| How to apply | Apply online via the ACPE website acpe.edu.au/admissions/entry-pathways |
Direct application early admission
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| Assessment criteria |
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| How to apply | Apply online via ANU admissions study.anu.edu.au/apply/domestic-undergraduate/how-apply/early-offer-application |
Charles Sturt Advantage
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| Assessment criteria |
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| How to apply | Apply online via the Charles Sturt website csu.edu.au/advantage |
Early Entry
| Important date | Applications are open. |
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| 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 2027 selection criteria and dates.
| Important dates |
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|---|---|
| Assessment criteria | To eligible for Aspire Community Impact, you must:
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| How to apply | Apply online via La Trobe University website latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire |
Aspire Academic Impact
Aspire Academic Impact allows Year 12 students to leverage their Year 11 results to secure an early conditional offer into a wide range of undergraduate courses at La Trobe.
Visit the La Trobe University website for further information about the Aspire program latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire, including 2027 selection criteria and dates.
| Important dates |
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|---|---|
| Assessment criteria | To eligible for Aspire Academic Impact, you must:
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| How to apply | Apply online via La Trobe University website latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire |
Aspire Everyday Impact
Aspire Everyday Impact gives Year 12 students with the drive to make a future impact a direct pathway into undergraduate studies – no ATAR required.
Visit the La Trobe University website for further information about the Aspire program latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire, including 2027 selection criteria and dates.
| Important dates |
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|---|---|
| Assessment criteria | To eligible for Aspire Everyday Impact, you must:
* You’ll need to have a scored VCE English and to meet the course prerequisite subject requirements. If your preferred course is the Diploma of Science, you will also need to have a scored VCE Mathematics (any) and to meet the subject score prerequisite for Mathematics. |
| How to apply | Apply online via La Trobe University website latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire |
Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme
| Important dates | Round 1
Round 2
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|---|---|
| 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.
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, interstate Year 12 qualification or International Baccalaureate.
All applicants must complete their Year 12 schooling successfully including Year 12 examinations (or assessments as determined by NESA or their state education body) and be awarded their state Year 12 qualification or an award of an International Baccalaureate Diploma in 2026. |
| How to apply | Apply online via the Macquarie University website mq.edu.au/study/admissions-and-entry/pathways/schemes/leaders-achievers |
| Important dates | Applications are open. |
|---|---|
| Assessment criteria | To be eligible for Early Offer, you must:
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| How to apply | Apply online via the SAE website |
Early Offer
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| Assessment criteria |
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| 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 | Apr 2026: applications open Sept 2026: conditional offers made |
|---|---|
| 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
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| 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 |
UNE Early Entry Offers will be made in 2 rounds: Round 1
Round 2
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| 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 2026 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 |
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 2026:
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
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| Assessment criteria |
Visit the University of Newcastle website for information about the Indigenous early entry scheme newcastle.edu.au/study/undergraduate/admissions-and-entry/entry-options/indigenous-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
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| How to apply | Apply online via the University of Notre Dame website notredame.edu.au/early-offer |
Gadigal Program
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| 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 For University of Sydney Music pathways, audition and interviews dates are TBC. |
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| Assessment criteria |
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| 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. |
Early Admission
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| 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
Round 2
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|---|---|
| Assessment criteria | To be eligible for the Gateway Admission Pathway, you must:
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| 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
Round 2
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|---|---|
| Assessment criteria | To be eligible for the Portfolio Entry Early Conditional Offer Scheme, you must:
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| How to apply | UNSW's Portfolio Entry portal unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/undergraduate/admission-pathways/portfolio-entry |
HSC True Reward
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| How to apply | Apply online via the Western Sydney University website westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/application-pathways/hsc-true-reward |