Skip to main

Guide your child through VTAC stress-free

3 June 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

Behind every stressed-out teen is usually a parent quietly holding the fort and trying to maintain a semblance of sanity. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it. Here are some tips to help lighten the load a bit.

One of the best ways to take the pressure off your child is by helping them understand (and navigate) how to apply for university. That means getting to know VTAC – the system behind the scenes that helps match students with the right uni course.

Another way is to lock in a university offer with Federation’s Early Offer Program (EOP). It helps take the stress out of Year 12 by guaranteeing a place for your child at university (provided all prerequisites are met), so they can focus on their exams and unwinding with family and friends.

Let’s break it down and make the whole thing a little less intimidating.

What is VTAC?

VTAC (Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre) is an independent service that handles university admissions.

It’s essentially the mediator between high school students and universities in Victoria. Your child will apply through VTAC to get into most undergraduate courses.
VTAC negotiates which of the universities your child has placed highest on their preference list will be interested in making them an offer.

Think of VTAC like a sorting hat (without the talking). It takes your child’s course preferences, ATAR and a few other factors, and figures out which uni and course they’re eligible for.

VTAC preferences

Preferences are a ranked list of up to eight courses your child 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 child 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.

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, 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.

Students can keep adding and reordering their preference list until timely applications close.

After that, a late fee applies – hence why they’re referred to as timely applications.

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.

Everybody chill

Year 12 is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be high-stress moments, sure. But knowing how things like VTAC and early offers work takes a lot of the mystery out of it.

And that’s where you come in. Be their guide. Help them stay calm. And remind them that there are many ways to reach their goal – especially at a place like Federation.

We’re here to help them find the way that works best for them.

And remember, with an Early Offer locked and loaded, they can focus on their exams and other important things in life, like recharging their social batteries and hanging out with friends and family.

Apply now