Unsure how VTAC preferences work? Don’t stress, here’s what you need to know. Follow these steps and you could end up with more than one Charles Sturt study offer!  

1. Create a VTAC account

Firstly, you’ll need to create a VTAC account to apply to study on campus at any of Charles Sturt’s six regional locations. (If you want to study online with us, you can apply direct to Charles Sturt.)

Hint: You can book a one-to-one consult with a friendly Charles Sturt adviser to find out more about our courses.

2. Complete one VTAC application with up to eight course preferences

You can apply to multiple unis – or several courses with the same uni – in your one VTAC application.

List up to eight courses, in the order you’d most like to study them. Don’t worry at this stage about the ATAR. If you don’t get the ATAR for your first preference, your next preference will be considered. VTAC will then submit your course preferences to the relevant uni(s) on your behalf.

To be in the running for an early conditional offer, apply for our Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program!

3. You can change your VTAC preferences during specified times

Your preferences are considered one at a time in the order you’ve listed them. If you do reconsider what you want to study, your VTAC change of preferences happen online. Log in to your VTAC application and simply update your preferences during the allowed periods (check the VTAC website for these dates). VTAC change of preferences don’t cost anything. Moreover, you can update as many times as you like.

Hint: Use the re-ordering arrows to move your preferences – if you delete a course from your preferences, you won’t be able to add it back in!

4. You’ll receive one offer in each offer round

Most Year 12 applicants receive offers in the first January round. So that’s after ATARs are released. You’ll get an email from VTAC with an offer for your highest preference that you’re eligible for. You’ll receive only one offer in each round – but you may receive more than one offer over the different rounds if you know what to do. Read on!

Hint: Charles Sturt uses your selection rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors) to assess your eligibility for our courses. So even if you don’t get the published ATAR for a course, you may still be eligible! 

5. Accept your offer by enrolling

Your Charles Sturt offer will also explain how to accept and enrol. It’s an easy process – and then you can look forward to starting uni in March! You can also defer, if you prefer. For most of our courses, you can accept your offer and then defer for up to 24 months if you decide to take a gap year – or two!   

6. If you re-order your VTAC preferences after a round, you may end up with more than one offer!

Whether you do or don’t receive your first preference, you can re-order your preferences by moving the course you’ve been offered below any courses you would still like to be considered for. If you receive another offer, you’ll have options!

7. As long as you’ve enrolled, you won’t lose your place

If you change preferences after you’ve enrolled, you won’t lose your place in the offered course. If you get another offer from Charles Sturt in the next round, you can either accept the new offer and withdraw from the first – or decline it and keep the original place.

8. Didn’t get a Charles Sturt offer? Don’t stress.

Charles Sturt has plenty of admission pathways that can help you get into your first choice course.

Get it sorted!

So, if you haven’t got your preferences sorted yet, jump into your VTAC application and make sure your Charles Sturt course is #1. Reach out if you need a hand. We’re here for you.