Applications up as Year 12 students look to the future

TENS of thousands of forward-looking Year 12 students have taken a big step toward their futures by submitting university applications ahead of final exams starting next week, according to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

As of early bird fee closing,* more than 49,800 Year 12 students have applied for tertiary studies commencing in 2026 – a 5 per cent increase on the same time last year. They’re not alone in planning ahead – nearly 18,800 non-Year 12 applicants have also applied – an increase of 10 per cent. Overall, undergraduate applications are up 6.4 per cent year on year.

Many students are maximising their opportunities by applying both through UAC and directly to universities. UAC has processed another 107,200^ additional applications on behalf of universities^# for students across all categories, including postgraduate and non-Year 12 applicants.

Acting Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer Peter Gangemi said, the early interest was encouraging: ‘It's exciting to see strong demand for study in 2026, especially so many Year 12 students showing confidence in their future.’

There’s still time to apply. Applications for semester 1, 2026 remain open until Friday 6 February 2026. Applicants can apply now through UAC.

UAC application numbers at early bird fee closing

View the breakdown of early bird fee closing application statistics.

*At early bird fee closing, 11.59pm 30 September 2025. Note: These figures do not include international applications.

^Applicants may apply directly to several universities so this figure is not the count of unique applicants, but the number of applications received.

^#UAC processes direct applications on behalf of Australian Catholic University, Australian College of Physical Education, Australian National University, CQUniversity Australia, Macquarie University, University of New England, University of Newcastle, University of Tasmania, University of Technology Sydney, University of Wollongong, UNSW Sydney, and Western Sydney University.

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For further information (media only) email media@uac.edu.au or contact:
Diane Jardine, Communications Coordinator, UAC on 0436 459 603, or
Peter Gangemi, Acting Chief Strategy and Engagement Officer, UAC on 0419 429 095