1. 2015 Year 12 students
Your QTAC application

2. What is QTAC? The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) is
A non-profit, public company.
We process your application for 16 institutions.
Our institutions decide their own admission requirements.
We ensure their admission rules are used correctly in your application.

3. What is QTAC? Self managed institutions
We also publish course information for other institutions.
Apply directly to institutions that manage their own admissions, not through QTAC.

4. Institutions
Find out which institutions you apply through QTAC for and which you apply to directly.
Note, information contained in the rest of this presentation relates to your QTAC application only.
For information about how to apply to self managed institutions, contact the institution directly.

5. What is tertiary study?
Tertiary study is the level of formal education beyond secondary education.

6. Who can apply through QTAC?
Domestic Year 12 students apply through QTAC.
International students studying Year 12 in Australia - check with the institution whether to apply directly or through QTAC.

7. 10 steps to tertiary study
1 Find out about OPs/QTAC selection ranks 2 Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs 3 Discover ways to improve your application 4 Find out about study costs 5 Get your documentation together 6 Know your rights and responsibilities 7 Find out when to apply 8 Order your preferences correctly 9 Fill out your application 10 Respond to your offer

8. Step 1: Find out about OPs/ QTAC selection ranks
You can lodge your QTAC application without knowing your Year 12 OP range or QTAC selection rank.
Getting an estimate beforehand though can help you decide which courses to apply for.
Talk to your school guidance counsellor about an estimate.
Note that you may have extra qualifications that can also be given a rank, refer to QTAC Guide, page 20.

9. Step 1: Find out about OPs/ QTAC selection ranks
OP students
Find out how the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) calculates your OP.
Receive your OP mid-December.
OP ineligible students
We calculate your OP ineligible rank.
Find out your OP ineligible rank from late December.

10. Step 1: Find out about OPs/ QTAC selection ranks
All other Year 12 students
We give your Year 12 results a QTAC selection rank when we process your QTAC application.

11. Step 1: Find out about OPs/ QTAC selection ranks
Refer to the QTAC Guide to find out more about how your Year 12 qualification is given a rank.
Find information about
Page
Your Year 12 qualification
13-14
Find tables about ranks
OP ineligible
15-16
International Baccalaureate 17
Interstate Year 12 18
Non-standard Year 12 19

12. Step 2: Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs
Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs using
Course Search
Our free QTAC app
QTAC Guide
Section 3 – apply to QTAC for these courses
Section 4 – apply direct to the institution

13. Step 2: Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs
You can apply through QTAC for a range of course types, such as
certificate
diploma
advanced diploma
associate degree
bachelor degree.

14. Step 2: Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs
Depending on the course, you can study
full-time
part-time
externally / via distance education
via flexible delivery (on-campus and distance education combined).

15. Step 2: Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs
We use two things to decide if you can get into a course:
Eligibility – course prerequisites and institution admission rules.
Merit – OP / QTAC selection rank.
Note, entry requirements for international applicants may be different to those for domestic applicants. Check with the institution.

16. Step 2: Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs
Course prerequisites include Year 12 subjects, interview, portfolio, audition, UMAT, other.
Institution admission rules include English proficiency, minimum age, other.
You must meet the minimum course entry requirements set by the institution.

17. Step 2: Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs
Merit – OP / QTAC selection rank
The number of course places available is usually less than the number of people applying.
You must therefore compete for a place on merit.
If you meet a course’s minimum entry requirements we place you in the order of merit based on your OP or QTAC selection rank.

18. Step 2: Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs
We make offers by going down the order of merit (highest to lowest) until all places in a course are filled.
Where we stop is called the ‘cut-off’.
Cut-offs are not set beforehand.

19. Step 2: Find courses, entry requirements and cut-offs
Use previous cut-offs as a guide only.
Cut-offs do not usually change much from year to year but on occasion they can.
Cut-offs can also change across semesters and between offer rounds for the same semester.

20. Step 3: Discover ways to improve your application
Financial assistance
You may be eligible for financial assistance from
government
institutions
private schemes.
Refer to QTAC Guide, page 40.

21. Step 3: Discover ways to improve your application
Special admissions schemes
QTAC’s Educational Access Scheme
Can help you if you have experienced circumstances that negatively affected your most recent studies.
If you are eligible for EAS, you may get bonus OPs or bonus ranks.
If you are eligible for the Financial Hardship EAS category, you may also get financial assistance from institutions eg scholarships or bursaries.

22. Step 3: Discover ways to improve your application
Most institutions have special schemes to help you get into their courses, such as
Year 12 subject bonus.
Access and equity.
Regional preference.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander admission.
Other schemes.
Refer to QTAC Guide, pages

23. Step 3: Discover ways to improve your application
Other most common ways Year 12s can improve their application
Competency-based training – Certificate III or IV.
Tertiary study – diploma studies or bachelor degree subjects.
Professional qualifications eg music, dance, speech and drama.
Refer to QTAC Guide, pages

24. Step 4: Find out about study costs
Course fees can vary greatly.
Check fee type when choosing your preferences.
Find approximate costs in Course Search. Note, costs listed could be the indicative first year cost, cost of the entire course or cost per subject.

25. Step 4: Find out about study costs
Commonwealth supported places (CSP)
The Australian Government subsidises courses at
Public universities
Australian Maritime College
Some courses at Christian Heritage College.

26. Step 4: Find out about study costs
CSP
You pay some of the course cost.
CSPs are for
Australian citizens
Permanent resident visa holders
New Zealand citizens
*Subject to passage of legislation, some NZ Special Category Visa holders can access HELP loans. Other NZ citizens and holders of some permanent visas do not have access to HELP loans and must pay their student contributions or tuition fees upfront.

27. Step 4: Find out about study costs
CSP
Note: Subject to the passage of legislation, changes will also be made to Commonwealth subsidies and student contributions.
Find more information at StudyAssist.

28. Step 4: Find out about study costs
TAFE Qld course fee types
Full fee – you pay total cost of course. VET FEE-HELP, FEE-HELP or payment plan may be available.
Subsidised – course cost is subsidised reducing the cost for eligible students.
Concession – cost of the course is further reduced for students with relevant concession card.
For more information visit or contact TAFE Queensland in your region on

29. Step 4: Find out about study costs
CQUniversity Australia VET courses
You contribute to the cost of training and assessment services.
Fees may vary between locations and courses.
Upfront fees may apply and there may be other material and administration costs.
For more information, contact CQUniversity.

30. Step 4: Find out about study costs
Private higher education providers
In most cases you pay full fees.
Fees vary between providers.
Contact the institution for details.

31. Step 4: Find out about study costs
International students
Contact the institution for course costs.

32. Step 5: Get your documentation together
Documentation is required to get the rank you deserve and satisfy entry requirements.
Whether you need to submit documents depends on your qualifications.
In most cases, we can obtain your Year 12 and tertiary study results directly from your education provider.
If we can obtain your results you will not need to provide documentation.
If, however, we try and are unable to obtain your records we will ask you to provide them.

33. Step 5: Get your documentation together
If you need to provide documentation
Follow the documentation instructions.
Submit the required documents as listed for your qualifications.
Submit your documents by the specified date.
Attach the relevant cover sheet to each document.
Avoid the extra documentation fee – submit the correct documents by the specified date.

34. Step 6: Know your rights and responsibilities
Get the most out of your QTAC application
Know your rights and responsibilities before you apply.

35. Step 7: Find out when to apply
Key application dates
Mid-June
Course information available at
4 Aug
Applications open.
29 Sep
If paying by BPAY® we must receive your payment by today for Early Bird Price.
30 Sep
On-time date for applications. Many courses with fixed closing dates close today.
1 Oct
Application fee increases today.
® Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd ABN

36. Step 7: Find out when to apply
Important notes about QTAC dates
‘Due dates’ give you assurance: applications and documentation submitted by the due date for the relevant offer round will be assessed in time. You can apply or submit documents after the due date but your application may not be assessed in time.
Dates listed as ‘final’ are final. You cannot change your preferences after the final date to change preferences for the relevant offer round, for example.

37. Step 7: Find out when to apply
Semester 1, 2016
For offer round date
30 Nov
Due date
Apply for EAS &
submit EAS documents
All sem 1 offers
Submit all other documents
14 Jan†
9 Dec
Apply
6 Jan
Final date (11.59pm)
Change preferences
14 Jan
20 Jan
4 Feb
21 Jan
Submit documents
28 Jan
† Major offer round for most semester 1 courses, except most creative and performing arts

38. Step 7: Find out when to apply
Semester 2, 2016
For offer
round date
20 May
Due date
Apply & submit documents
2 Jun‡
26 May
Final date (11.59pm)
Change preferences
2 Jun
Apply
16 Jun
6 Jun
Submit documents
9 Jun
Final date (9.29pm)
‡ Major offer round for most semester 2 courses

39. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
When choosing your preferences
Use the QTAC Guide and our website for course information.
List 6 preferences.
Make sure you meet the minimum entry requirements for each course preference you list.
Include a range of courses with varying levels of competitiveness ie cut-offs.
Check fixed closing dates – some courses close early or have other fixed dates you need to follow.

40. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
When choosing your preferences
Note that offers are made in order of offer round date.
List your preferences in order of major offer round date.
You can apply for courses starting semester 1 or 2, 2016.

41. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
What if I need a break?
Apply for semester 1 and, if allowed, defer your offer ie start studying later, or
List semester 2 preferences only.
Note: Semester 2 courses often have higher cut-offs ie are more difficult to get into.

42. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
Ordering your preferences before you receive an offer is a two-step process:
Step 1:  List the courses you want to apply for in the order of 'ideal - realistic - foot-in-the-door'
Step 2:  Make sure your preferences are in the order of major offer round date

43. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
Plan your preferences before you apply
Print the preference planner from our website or find it in the QTAC Guide, page 42.

44. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
Important notes
Most semester 1 courses have their major offer round in January.
A small number of semester 1 courses have their major offer round in December.
If you apply for some courses that have January as their major offer round and some that have December as their major offer round…

45. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
…you must list the December major offer round courses above the January major offer round courses, like this:
Preference
Course Title
Start Month
Major Offer Date 1
Brisbane Uni – B Acting
Mar 2016
17 Dec 2015 2
Metro Uni – B Acting
Feb 2016 3
Brisbane Uni – B Commerce
14 Jan 2016 4
Metro Uni – B Commerce 5
Accounting Institute – D Accounting 6
Accounting Institute – D Business

46. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
If, in the December offer round, you are made an offer, for example in Brisbane Uni – B Acting;
You can ‘conditionally accept’ this offer and rearrange your preferences to be considered for your other preferences in January.

47. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
You are only considered in future offer rounds for courses listed above your offered course.
Preference
Course Title
Start Month
Major Offer Date 1
Brisbane Uni – B Commerce
Mar 2016
14 Jan 2016 2
Metro Uni – B Commerce
Feb 2016 3
Accounting Institute – D Accounting 4
Accounting Institute – D Business 5
Metro Uni – B Acting
17 Dec 2015 6
Brisbane Uni – B Acting
Conditionally accepted offer in Dec 2015

48. Step 8: Order your preferences correctly
Applying for semester 2
To give yourself the best chance of getting the offer you want, list six semester 1 preferences in the first instance.
Do not lodge a second application for semester 2.
If you do not get an offer for semester 1, change your preferences for semester 2.
If you do get an offer for semester 1 but want to apply for semester 2 as well, conditionally accept your semester 1 offer (and even begin that course), and change your preferences.
List the semester 2 courses above your semester 1 offered course.

49. Step 9: Fill out your application
Check your computer has the recommended computer settings and software before you start your application.

50. Step 9: Fill out your application
Create your QTAC account
You will need a valid address and password.
When you have created your account we will send you a confirmation .
Click on the link in the to validate your address.

51. Step 9: Fill out your application
Now fill out your application
To do so you will need to
Know your student number.
Confirm your personal details and contact information.
Confirm your qualifications.
Add your extra qualifications, if you have any.
Give permission for someone to act on your behalf, if you want to.
Indicate if you are applying for EAS.
Supply information required by the Australian Government.
List your course preferences.

52. Step 9: Fill out your application
QTAC fees
Application fee for 2015 Australian standard Year 12s
4 Aug 2015 — 30 Sep 2015
Early Bird $36
1 Oct — 31 Jan 2016
$134
1 Feb 2016 — 18 Feb 2016
$36
19 Feb — 9 July 2016
$67
Changes of preference
First three changes
free
Fourth and each subsequent change
Documentation
Separate submission of documentation

53. Step 9: Fill out your application
Three ways to pay for your application
Credit card online – when you apply.
BPAY® - we must receive payment by 29 September for Early Bird price. If we receive your BPAY payment after this date, you will be charged the higher amount.
Prepayment Voucher (your school or institution may arrange).
Payment must be received before we will start to process your application.
® Registered to BPAY Pty Ltd ABN

54. Step 10: Respond to your offer
You only get one offer in an offer round. This is for your highest eligible preference.
We notify you by if you have received an offer.
Log in to Application Services to find your offer.
Respond to your offer within Application Services.
Respond by the date specified.
If you do not respond you lose your right to that offer and will not be considered for any other courses.

55. Step 10: Respond to your offer
You have three response options:
Outright response.
Conditional response - with no change of preference.
Conditional response - with change of preference.
Within each response option you can accept, reject or defer your offer.

56. Step 10: Respond to your offer
Offer date
Respond to your offer (by 9.59am)
26 Nov
3 Dec
17 Dec#
28 Dec
14 Jan† ■
21 Jan
4 Feb† ■
11 Feb
18 Feb
25 Feb
3 Mar
10 Mar
17 Mar
24 Mar
31 Mar
Offer date
Respond to your offer (by 9.59am)
5 May
12 May
2 Jun‡ ■
9 Jun
16 Jun‡ ■
23 Jun
30 Jun
7 Jul
14 Jul
21 Jul
28 Jul
# Major offer round for most sem 1 start creative and performing arts courses † Major offer round for most sem 1 courses, except most creative and performing arts ■ Course vacancies available at

57. Application services after you have applied – check and change
After you have applied, use Application Services to
Check if you are meeting entry requirements.
Check if we have received your documentation.
View correspondence about your application.
Pay QTAC fees.
Respond to your offer.
View and print your OP ineligible rank (Year 12 students not eligible for an OP).

58. Application services after you have applied – check and change
After you have applied, use Application Services to
Change your preferences, but as this process is different before and after you are made an offer, it is recommended you read more on changing your preferences before doing so.
Refer to QTAC Guide, pages 42 and 45.

59. Application services after you have applied – check and change
After you have applied, use Application Services to
Change contact details such as your postal and home addresses, phone number, address.
Change your password.
Change your security questions.
Change authorised person details.

60. Connect to QTAC Contact us if you have any questions.
Like us and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with QTAC news.

61. Good luck All the best with your Year 12 studies
and your QTAC application!