Supporting Your Child Through the VTAC Process
Understanding the VTAC Process
For many families, Year 12 is the first time they encounter the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC).
With new terminology, application deadlines and important decisions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
Parents often ask:
What is VTAC?
How many course preferences should my child include?
What is SEAS?
Should they apply for scholarships?
What happens if they change their mind?
The good news is that the VTAC process is designed to help students apply for tertiary study in an organised and flexible way.
Understanding how the process works allows you to support your child with confidence while reducing unnecessary stress.
Understanding the VTAC Timeline
One of the most helpful things parents can do is understand the key stages of the VTAC process.
While dates change slightly each year, the process generally includes:
August
VTAC applications open.
Students begin creating their VTAC accounts.
Course research becomes more focused.
September
Timely course applications.
SEAS applications.
Scholarship applications.
October
Finalise supporting documentation.
Review course preferences.
Continue researching pathways.
November
Final examinations.
Avoid making major preference decisions during exam periods unless necessary.
December
ATAR release.
Change of Preference (COP) period.
First-round offers.
Understanding this timeline helps families plan ahead rather than feeling rushed by deadlines.
Helping Your Child Build a Strong Preference List
One of the biggest decisions students make is selecting their course preferences.
Many parents wonder:
"Should they only list courses they think they'll get into?"
The answer is no.
VTAC allows students to list multiple course preferences in genuine order of interest.
Encourage your child to:
Place their favourite course first.
Include a range of realistic options.
Research entry requirements.
Understand prerequisite subjects.
Keep backup options available.
Preferences should reflect where they genuinely want to study—not simply where they believe they'll receive an offer.
Understanding SEAS
The Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) allows universities to consider circumstances that may have affected a student's education.
Depending on the circumstances, SEAS may include factors such as:
Medical conditions.
Personal or family circumstances.
Financial hardship.
Educational disadvantage.
Applying for SEAS does not guarantee an offer.
Instead, it allows participating institutions to consider a student's circumstances alongside their application.
If your child may be eligible, encourage them to discuss this with their school's Careers Practitioner well before the application deadline.
Don't Overlook Scholarships
Many families assume scholarships are only available to students with exceptional academic results.
In reality, scholarships recognise a wide range of achievements and circumstances.
These may include:
Academic achievement.
Community involvement.
Leadership.
Sporting participation.
Financial need.
Equity programs.
Encourage your child to explore scholarship opportunities early, as application deadlines often differ from general course applications.
Applying takes time, but the potential financial support can make a significant difference.
Understanding Change of Preference (COP)
One of the greatest strengths of the VTAC system is that preferences can usually be changed after ATAR results are released.
This is known as Change of Preference (COP).
Many students change their preferences after:
receiving their ATAR
visiting university information sessions
receiving new advice
reconsidering their options
Remind your child that they don't need to make every decision months in advance.
The Change of Preference period provides an opportunity to review choices with more information available.
Supporting Good Decision-Making
The best decisions are informed decisions.
Encourage your child to:
research each course carefully
attend university open days
compare course structures
explore graduate outcomes
discuss options with teachers and Careers Practitioners
consider lifestyle, travel and learning preferences
Rather than focusing only on entry scores, encourage them to think about where they are most likely to thrive.
Choosing a course because it genuinely interests them often leads to greater motivation and success.
Avoiding Unnecessary Stress
The VTAC process can feel intense, but parents play an important role in creating a calm and supportive environment.
You can help by:
focusing on effort rather than perfection
avoiding comparisons with other students
encouraging regular breaks during study
reminding your child there are multiple pathways
celebrating progress throughout the year
listening before offering advice
Remember, one application does not determine your child's future.
Career development is a journey, and many students successfully reach their goals through different pathways.
Final Thoughts
The VTAC process is an important milestone, but it doesn't need to be overwhelming.
With good planning, open conversations and an understanding of the available options, families can approach the application process with confidence.
As a parent, your encouragement and support are just as valuable as understanding the technical details.
By helping your child stay informed, remain flexible and focus on their long-term goals, you can make the VTAC journey a far more positive experience.
Your Next Step
If your family would like personalised guidance through the VTAC process, Career Counselling Australia can help.
Our Student Career Support service assists students and parents with course research, preference planning, SEAS applications, scholarship opportunities and Change of Preference, helping families make informed decisions with confidence.
