Presentation to IAAO May 2016 John Griffiths CEO

Overview of Presentation QTAC overview QTAC’s value proposition Changing external environment Current business model New business model Key challenges

QTAC Overview Established in 1975, incorporated in 1990 Operates a centralised tertiary admissions system for 16 institutions and graduate medicine (Australia wide) Processes over 70,000 applicants annually Helps applicants gain admission to a course for which they are qualified on the basis of merit and/or equity Allows institutions complete autonomy in determining their own admission requirements and principles of selection Once determined, ensures that the admissions rules and related procedures are correctly administered on behalf of the institutions and then makes an offer of a place

QTAC’s Value Proposition Centralised repository of information for applicants Consistent and transparent assessment Single offer to highest eligible preference means that offer acceptance is much more likely and less wastage associated with applicants receiving multiple offers Historical Year 12 Results Archive and Automated Results Transfer Service (ARTS) Pooling of resources and effort results in lower cost for institutions Part of ACTAC which streamlines the national experience by sharing data and agreeing common standards, conversions and dates

Changing External Environment Bradley – previous unmet demand now largely satisfied Fee deregulation Need for faster turnaround Direct entry pressures Breakdown of geographical barriers Shift from undergraduate to postgraduate Entry cut-offs are falling for a number of courses

Current Business Model Six prioritised preferences Offer made to highest eligible preference Offers only made as part of an offer round Can’t hold more than one offer at a time

Benefits for Applicants It provides a simple process for applicants that requires only one application and the presentation of only one set of supporting material, even for preferences at more than one institution Year 12 data is sourced directly from the State authorities, streamlining the process and ensuring data accuracy The selection process is fair and transparent and the applicant is assured of receiving their highest eligible preference

Benefits for our Clients Provides highly valuable exposure in the QTAC Guide The system is efficient, providing a range of services that providers could not easily replicate either at all or at similar cost by individual providers Streamlines the admission/enrolment practices of participating providers, notably by removing/reducing direct offers to domestic undergraduate students, thereby making load management easier Costs shared between applicants and providers through the charging of processing fee

New Business Model Current: All courses are assumed to be quota managed Full end-to-end assessment is undertaken for each preference Institutions only have 30 opportunities during the year to make offers Proposed: Assessment processes are tailored around the course levels 1, 2 and 3 The introduction of “minimum ranks” and “definitely in” ranks will facilitate increased early offers Institutions can choose to make offers in any of over 180 offer rounds

Course Levels Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Not quota managed English Language Proficiency required Level 2 Ranks arranged highest to lowest English language proficiency checked Subject pre-requisites checked Minimum rank hurdle Level 3 Quota managed Full assessment of all merit and eligibility requirements Offers made in any round chosen by institutions

Advantages of Level 2 Relationships with applicant Applicants are made offers as soon as they meet minimum eligibility and rank requirements Applicants are not required to provide documentation where this is not required for their offer Applicants have an affirming rather than discouraging experience Requirements for entry are transparent to applicants

Advantages of Level 2 Benefits for institutions Reduction in institution tasks Reduction in administrative burden in course methodology during peak offer round period, allowing focus to shift to Level 3 courses Fewer enquiries from applicants as offers will be made earlier Manage internal workflows by releasing offers at a time that suits Benefits for QTAC: Fewer assessment tasks Fewer enquiries from applicants Increased processing speed

Key Challenges Groningen Declaration Transparency Systems renewal Scope of service offering