• SRS, EAS , Equity Scholarships & UAC Applications Open for 2025 (Ensure you register and apply for a USI)

• Charles Sturt Advantage (Early Entry) - Closing 31st July 2025 (Early Bird) & 31st August (2nd Round) - Apply HERE

• University of Canberra Early Entry - Closing 17th August 2025 - Apply HERE

• Notre Dame Young Achievers Early Offer - Closing Round 1 - 19th August - Apply HERE

• Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) - Get Started HERE (Applications through Edith Cowan)

• UNSW Portfolio Entry - Round 1 Opening 5th May 2025 - Closing 21st July 2025 + Round 2 Opening 6th September - Closing 17th November 2025 - Get Started HERE

• Art, Design & Architecture Portfolio Entry

• Faculty of Engineering Admission Scheme

• Learn more HERE

• USYD CCASAS & Portfolio Admissions Pathways - Opening 1st May - Closing 30th June 2025 - Get Started HERE - Portfolio Tips

  • Creative Arts Special Admissions Scheme (MUSIC) - Learn more HERE

  • Creative Arts Special Admissions Scheme (Visual ARTS) - Learn more HERE

  • Portfolio Admissions Pathways - Learn more HERE - Register for Webinar (HOW TO BUILD A PORTFOLIO - 28th May 4pm) HERE

    • Bachelor of Design (Interaction Design)

    • Bachelor of Design / Advanced Studies (Interaction Design)

    • Bachelor of Design in Architecture

    • Bachelor of Design in Architecture (Honours) / Master of Architecture

    • Bachelor of Architecture and Environments

• ANU Direct Application Early Entry - Closing 15th May 2025- Apply HERE

• UTS BAcct. Scholarship - Round 1 Closing - 16th May 2025 & Round 2 Closing 10th October 2025 - Get Started HERE

• UCAT Registrations 2025 -Closing 16th May 2025 (Late registrations close 6th June) - Register HERE

• Industry Information Webinars:

  • 7th May - Why study Business at USYD? - Register HERE (4pm)

  • 7th May - UNSW Art, Design & Architecture Evening - Register HERE (6pm)

  • 8th May - Your Path to Sydney University - Year 10 Subject Selection Evening (In Person) - Register HERE

  • 14th May - Explore Oral Health at Sydney University - Register HERE (4pm)

  • 14th May - UNSW Law & Justice Information Evening - Register HERE (6pm)

  • 15th May - Your Path to Sydney University - Year 10 Subject Selection Evening (Online) - Register HERE

  • 21st May - Year 12 Information Evening at Sydney University (In Person) - Enter MEDICINE in promo codes at checkout to secure a spot at this SOLD OUT event - Register HERE (4pm - 7pm)

  • 21st May - Life as an Agricultural Scientist at Sydney University - Register HERE (4pm)

  • 21st May - UNSW Science Information Night - Register HERE (6pm)

  • 23rd May - Sydney Conservatorium Music Portfolio Evening - Register HERE (4:30pm - 7pm)

  • 24th May - Pilot Academy Tamworth Open Day - Register HERE (10am - 2pm)

  • 28th May - Architecture & Design at Sydney (Build your Portfolio) - Register HERE (4pm)

  • 28th May - UNSW Business School Information Evening - Register HERE (6pm - 7pm)

What is UAC? UAC stands for University Admissions Centre. If you’re in NSW or the ACT, UAC is your one-stop-shop for applying to most universities in the state. You don’t apply directly to each university - you do it all in one application through UAC. Think of it as your online preference list manager - you choose which courses you are interested in, rank them in order of what you most want, and UAC does the rest when offers roll out.

What is Direct Entry? Some universities (not all!) let you apply directly through their website, especially for early entry programs. This means you bypass UAC entirely for that application. Examples of direct entry programs include:

• UOW Early Admission

• Western Sydney HSC True Reward

• Charles Sturt Advantage

If you are accepted early into a course via a direct entry application, you might not need UAC at all. However, many students also apply through UAC to keep other universities in the mix. You can accept multiple direct entry offers ahead of your HSC and also apply through UAC to see if your ATAR lands you a place in an alternate course of interest.

• Registration Fee $82

• Register & pay fee for UAC before the 30th of September 2025 to avoid late fees.

1. Click on the 'Apply or log in' button at the top right of the page and select the relevant application type.

2. Follow the prompts to start your application then enter your personal details.

3. Enter a pre-existing USI or create a new one to continue your application.

4. Select your course preferences.

5. Accept the applicant declaration and pay for your application. Your application is now complete.

6. Log in to your application to keep track of its progress and to change your preferences if you want to.

7. Log in to check your offers.

What you need to know

• There are five UAC preferences available to you. You do not need to use them all.

• You will only be made ONE offer per round (your highest eligible!). Always list your preferences in order of the degree you want the MOST, not necessarily the one with the highest ATAR.

• The majority of offers will be made during December Round 2 - 23rd December 2025.

• You can check and change your preferences right up until the closing deadline of each offer round e.g. 18th December is the closing date for the 23rd December Offer Round.

• EAS applications are made through your UAC portal. Additional EAS information is coming soon!
  

Additional notes from UAC (https://www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/how-to-apply-for-uni/selecting-your-course-preferences)

• If you’re not selected for your first preference, you’ll be considered equally with all other eligible applicants for your second preference and so on.

• Your chance of being selected for a course is not decreased because you placed it as a lower order preference. Similarly, you won’t be selected for a course just because you entered that course as a higher order preference.

• You can only receive one offer per round, so re-ordering your preferences after each round may give you multiple offers to choose from. It is in your best interest to accept all offers when they are made and remove them from your preference list. Once you have made your final decision, you can go ahead an enrol in that course, and decline all other accepted offers.

If you a looking to apply to an interstate university, you will need to submit an application through the relevant Tertiary Admissions Centre e.g. QTAC in Queensland. You are eligible to submit applications in every state if you so wish. Tasmania is the only state where your only option is to submit a direct application. The University of Tasmania is not associated with a Tertiary Admissions Centre.

• Queensland - QTAC

• Victoria - VTAC

• South Australia and Northern Territory - SATAC

• Western Australia - TISC

• Tasmania - Direct Entry to UTAS (no Tertiary Admissions Centre)

Most universities require an application through UAC to apply for your desired degree. WSU, UOW, CSU and ANU are now offering direct applications (free of charge), as well as accepting applications through UAC.

• ANU - Apply HERE

• WSU - Apply HERE

• UOW - Apply HERE

• CSU - Apply HERE

• Bond University - Apply HERE

• Notre Dame University - Apply HERE

• The University of Tasmania - Apply HERE (they have a Sydney campus too!)

• SRS, EAS , Equity Scholarships & UAC Applications Open for 2024 - 2nd April 2025 (Ensure you register and apply for a USI)

• NSW/ACT Undergraduate (domestic and international students): Early bird fee applications for 2026 admissions close (to avoid higher processing charges, complete, pay and submit your application by midnight) - 30th September 2025

• SRS Applications Close for 2025 - 5th September 2025

  SRS: Course preference deadline for first SRS offers - 6th November 2025

• SRS: First offers released - 13th November 2025

• EAS: Closing date for EAS applications for December Round 2 - 18th November 2025

• Undergraduate (Year 12) - November Round 2 offers released  (unconditional SRS offers) - 27th November 2025

• Equity Scholarships: December Round 2 Application Deadline - 9th December

• HSC Results Release by NESA - 18th December 2025 (from 6am)

• NSW & ACT ATARs Released - 18th December 2025 (9am)

• Change of Preferences for December Round 2 offers (main round) - 18th December 2025

• December Round 2 offers released (main round of offers)- 23rd December 2025

• SRS: Conditional offers converted to unconditional offers  - 23rd December 2025

• Change of preferences for January Round 1 offers -30th December 2025

• January Round 1 offers released - 8th January 2026*

Study a Bachelor’s degree at a university - typically 3+ years full-time. Great if you’re keen on careers like teaching, psychology, business, science, medicine or law. Uni is more theory heavy and research based, but it also offers heaps of extras like international exchange, internships, societies and leadership programs.

Hands-on, skill based training that gets your job-ready fast. Whether it’s trades, nursing, beauty, hospitality, fashion, design or community services, TAFE focuses on practical learning and nationally recognised qualifications - from Certificates and Diplomas through to Associate Degrees and Bachelors Degrees. TAFE offers smaller class sizes and real-world tools - and is often a stepping stone to university later on, with credit transfer options.

Get paid, get experience, and get a degree - all at once. A cadetship lets you work in your chosen industry (like accounting, media or tech) while studying at uni part-time. Think of it as a head-start on your dream job with professional mentoring and a paycheck along the way.

Want to serve your country and get paid to train or study? The ADF offers pathways through the Army, Navy or Air Force - whether that’s learning a trade, taking on an officer role, or going to uni through ADFA. Travel, leadership, fitness and purpose all rolled into one. You can join straight after school through general enlistment (with a trade or tech role), or apply to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) to complete a degree while in service. You can even study medicine or engineering at a civilian uni under a sponsored program - your tuition is coveredm but you commit to working with the ADF after graduation.

Appenticeship:

Learn a skilled trade on the job (like plumbing, carpentry, electrical or hairdressing), while also studying at TAFE. You can earn a wage while you learn and graduate as a qualified tradie. Solid pay, high demand and no HECS debt.

Traineeship:

Like an apprenticeship, but usually in non-trade fields - think business, IT, hospitality, or healthcare. You work and train at the same time, usually for 12-24 months , and finish with a qualification that gives you practical skills and experience.

A new kind of pathway where you skip uni, start working straight out of school, and train on the job in high-skill areas like tech, business, or cyber-security. Companies like PwC invest in your learning while you get paid and build experience in a major firm. No degree, no debt, plenty of career cred.

Smaller, more specialised institutions offering courses in design, hospitality, fashion business, creative arts, health and more. They often have strong industry ties, quicker course completion times and niche programs, Fees can be higher and not all courses are subsidised, so it’s important to do your research on outcomes and accreditation

Take a year off before study or full-time work to travel, work, volunteer, or just breathe. A gap year helps you gain life experience, clarity, independance, and maturity. You might:

• Work full-time to save money or build your resume.

• Volunteer locally or overseas.

• Travel (solo or in programs like Lattitude Global Volunteering or Camp America).

• Explore gap year jobs through programs like ADF Gap Year or Letz Live.

• Become an Au Pair and live with a host family overseas while looking after children (think France, Italy, England, the U.S).

• Work a ski season at Thredbo, Perisher, Queenstown or Whistler - follow the snow year round.

• Shadow or mentor or do internships to test out different industries.

Gap years aren’t “wasted” time - they’re a chance to reflect, grow and return to study or work with fresh eyes and real life insight. Just keep uni deferral or application timelines in mind. Yes, you can apply to uni and defer your position for 12 months (sometimes up to 24 months) and step straight into your deferred course with new perspective and a brimming life resume.

For some of you, this isn’t your first HSC rodeo. For others, it might be your very first experience navigating not just Year 12, but the entire education system here in Australia. Either way - we see you, and we’re here to help.

This space is designed especially for you. Each month, we’ll offer quick insight to help you feel informed and confident in the role you play: not as a careers adviser or ATAR expert, but as a steady and supportive guide at the dinner table, in the car, or during those late-night “I don’t know what to do with my life” moments.

This month, we’re introducing UAC (the university application hub for NSW and ACT) and exploring the different study pathways available after the HSC - from uni and TAFE to cadetships, gap years, and beyond.

We know it might feel early to be talking about applications if your child is still trying to find direction, but this is a great time to start or continue the conversation. Have a read through the pathway summaries above and see what sparks your child’s interest. You might be surprised what stands out to them.

Next month, we’ll dive deeper into industries and how they are changing, so you can feel even more confident supporting their decisions (and their dreams).

For those of you with children who have already popped their destination into sat nav, over the coming months, we will continue working through The Year 12 Careers Checklist and demytifying everything from early entry programs to medicine applications, scholarships and deferring courses to take a gap year.

Let’s be real for a moment - “Just go to uni and get a degree” doesn’t quite cut it anymore. There’s a lot more nuance in choosing what (and where) to study after the HSC. Here’s a quick guide to help make sense of it all.

Types of University Degrees: What’s the Difference?

When students apply to university, they’re choosing between types of degrees - not just courses. The structure of the degree can shape how broad, practical, or specialised their study is.

Liberal Degrees:

These are broad, flexible degrees that allow students to explore different subjects before narrowing their focus. Great for students who have direction, but not a set destination, and are still trying to figure out where their strongest interests lie. Common examples include a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce.

Students can major in areas like psychology (through arts & science), politics, biology, economics, philosophy, marketing and more. These degrees also allow students to select electives from different faculties throughout the university and may spark an entirely new interest and passion (and course change). Liberal degrees encourage critical thinking, research skills and adaptability. These degrees are perfect for curious minds, deep thinkers, and students who want options, or might go onto more specialised post-graduate study (law, teaching etc..).

Professional Degrees:

These are job-focused degrees designed to lead straight into a particular profession. They often include placements, accreditations, and strict subject sequences. Common examples include: Education, Engineering, Nursing, Law, Social Work. These degrees are ideal for students who already have a clear career path in mind. That being said, you are not locked in for life. Many a Caringbah student have completely changed direction successful from a professional degree in the past. Professional degrees also come with practical experiences (e.g. prac teaching and hospital placements). This is where students really decide whether they are in the right place or not.

Specialist Degrees

These are highly focused degrees tailored to a specific skillset or industry. They tend to be intensive and less flexible, but deeply immersive. Common examples include Fine Arts, Music, Aviation, Architecture, Design.

Specialist degrees often include auditions, portfolios or additional selection criteria. These are ideal for students with strong interestsin niche or creative fields.

Students choose their university for a variety of reasons - and it’s not always about prestige or ATAR cut-offs. Here’s what influences that choice:

• Distance from home / relocation options

• Friends or siblings going to the same uni

• Specific campus vibe or culture - ALWAYS head to the Open Days

• Strong reputation in a chosen field (e.g. UTS for design, ANU for politics and UNSW for engineering)

• Scholarships or support programs

• Family legacy or familiarity - yes, perhaps just because you went there!

• Perception of status or reputation (UNSW and USYD are often popular because they’re established, high ranking, and seen as “top tier”) …… but here’s the truth:

A “top” university doesn’t automatically guarantee a top career.

Employers are increasingly looking for:

• Diverse thinking

• Living experience

• Real world skills

• Initiative and adapability

• Unique combinations of study and story

So whether your child studies at Sydney, Western Sydney, Newcastle, UNE, or somewhere overseas, what they DO with their degree, and who they become along the way - is what really stands out.