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Guide your child through VTAC stress-free

4 September 2025
Year 12 can be a wild ride. Exams, applications, pressure from all sides – it's a lot for students to handle. What’s not often talked about is the stress this can cause parents.
The good news? You can help – both your child and yourself.
Federation University's Early Offer Program

VTAC and our Early Offer Program

If you're a parent of a Year 12 student, chances are you've already heard the term VTAC being thrown around. In short, VTAC is the system your teen will use to apply for TAFE and university courses in Victoria – from choosing preferences to receiving offers, it’s their gateway that shapes what comes next.

Another option is Federation’s Early Offer Program (EOP), which lets your child secure a place at uni before exams are even finished. It takes the pressure off and gives them space to focus on their studies and creating lasting memories before graduating from school.

At Fed, we know that navigating VTAC can feel overwhelming – for students and parents alike. We’re here to break it down simply, so you can feel confident guiding your teen through one of the most important steps in their education journey.

What is VTAC?

So what is VTAC? The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre is a central hub that helps Year 12 students take the next step after school. Through VTAC, they can explore TAFE and university options, choose their course preferences, and submit their application. When ATARs are released in December, VTAC manages the offer process – matching students with places in courses based on their results and course preferences.

And remember, you don’t have to be a VTAC expert – that’s our job. We’ll give you the info, answers and support you and your child need every step of the way.

VTAC preferences

Preferences are a ranked list of up to eight courses your teen can apply for. The top of the list should be the course they most want to get into – and that’s important. VTAC will only offer them one course per round, and it will be the highest one on their list that they meet the requirements for.

VTAC offer rounds

VTAC releases offers in rounds:

  • Main round – The biggest one. Most VTAC offers are made here.
  • Subsequent rounds – If your child didn’t get an offer or wants to try again for a different course, they can reorder preferences and wait for another VTAC offer round.

VTAC process at a glance

  1. Students set their preferences (up to 8).
  2. VTAC looks at their ATAR, prerequisites and any extra requirements.
  3. VTAC sends an offer – just one – for the highest course they qualify for.
  4. If they miss out in the first round, there are more rounds to come.
  5. It’s all digital, all official and all manageable.

Pro tip for VTAC preferences

We recommend listing courses for all 8 preferences.

Encourage your teen to put their dream course first – not the one they think they’re most likely to get into. That will give them the best chance to get into the course they want, and if they don’t meet the requirements, VTAC will simply move down the list to the next preference.

It’s also wise to mix dream courses with pathway options like diplomas or certificates, especially since Federation offers both.

How does the Early Offer Program fit in?

Federation University’s Early Offer Program (EOP) is one of the simplest ways to reduce Year 12 stress. If your child meets the prerequisites and the Early Offer ATAR for their course, they can lock in a spot before exams.

That means less pressure, more peace of mind and a clearer head going into their final assessments.

If your child is applying for an Early Offer from Federation University, remember that their Federation course must be #1 on their VTAC preferences to receive the offer.

Benefits of EOP

As well as securing a guaranteed spot (providing course prerequisites are met), Early Offer students enjoy the following benefits:

  • early access to campus libraries and study spaces
  • a free Exam Ready Pack
  • a one-on-one session with their course coordinator
  • a one-one-one career counselling session online
  • exclusive access to meet our industry partners
  • early access to the support offered by AEC for First Nations students (find out more about using EOP as an Indigenous pathway).

Explore the options

To get started, Year 12 students can explore their course choices and look at the entry requirements so they’re empowered to make the right decision.

Checking out our guaranteed ATARS helps in making a list of preferred courses. It also helps them focus on achieving the results to get where they want to go.

What are pathways?

They’re alternative courses like diplomas or certificates that can lead to a degree. Take our Federation Access Studies (FAST) for example. This 6-month course prepares students to be successful at university. Your teen will learn how to research, write at a university level and use our systems – leaving them confident to start their degree.

Preferencing pathways can reduce the risk of not getting any offers and, at the same time, put students closer to their dream course by giving them a Plan B to get in.

Federation is a dual-sector uni, which means we offer both uni and TAFE courses as well as pathways – and that can make it easier to pivot if things don’t go exactly to plan. Check out our pathways.

What about entry requirements?

They matter. Each course has different prerequisites, and your child must meet them to be offered a place in the course, so make sure your child checks the course page carefully.  

Knowing the entry requirements for courses helps you plan accordingly. Select the ‘Entry Requirements’ tab on the course page to see exactly what prerequisites your child will need before their application will be considered. If they don’t meet the requirements, our Federation Access Studies (FAST) program can offer another way in. FAST students are guaranteed a place in one of Federation's undergraduate degrees when they’re done. But this option is only available for some courses, so be sure to check first.

Key dates

VTAC applications generally open in July for the following year and close in September.

For courses commencing in 2026, applications are now open. Students can keep adding and reordering their preference list until timely applications close on 29 September.

After that, a late fee applies – hence why they’re referred to as timely applications. Review all key VTAC dates here.

What if my child misses the deadline?

Life happens. If they miss the timely application deadline, they can still apply – but they’ll need to pay a higher fee.

Late applications generally close in October and very late applications close in December, with an increase in fee for each application deadline.

So, if you miss the timely application date, it’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the road either. Check out the VTAC website for more information on dates and fees.

Receiving an Early Offer

Applicants will be guaranteed an offer if they meet the Early Offer ATAR and all course prerequisites.

VTAC will make an offer for the course listed highest on their list of preferences where all selection requirements have been met, so make sure to put the EOP course first!

Don't forget to add the EOP course to VTAC preferences

Remember, to receive a full offer, the relevant Early Offer course from Federation University must be listed highest in the VTAC preference list.

Peace of mind for you, confidence for them

Year 12 can feel overwhelming – for you, and your child – but understanding how VTAC works, and having options like Fed’s Early Offer Program, the pressure starts to ease.

We know how pivotal your role as a parent is. You’re the steady voice that keeps them focused, reassured, and reminded that there’s more than one way to get into university.

An Early Offer can provide that same sense of calm. It’s your child’s ticket to concentrating on exams while feeling confident about the year ahead. And it gives you peace of mind too – knowing that we’re here to support both you and your child every step of the way.

Apply now