How does Change of Preference work?

How does Change of Preference work?

Here’s what you can expect now that exams are over, from results release to changing your VTAC preferences.

Share

Finishing your final year of high school is no ordinary achievement. You’ve just finished a 13-year journey that featured building lifelong friendships and making unforgettable memories, all while discovering where your interests and passions lie. Well done – your next adventure at RMIT is awaiting you!   

You might find yourself weighing up your study options after exams and when you receive your results. In this period, known as Change of Preference, you can reorder, add or remove courses from your VTAC preference list.    

We know it can be a little daunting to think about securing your place in a uni or TAFE course, so we’re here to lay out exactly what you can expect in the next few weeks.   

Six students sitting on a grassy area at the RMIT city campus

Step one: ATARs are released

If you’re a VCE student, your ATAR will be released on Monday 11 December from 7am AEDT. It’s completely normal to feel anxious or unsettled about the day, but being open with family and friends about how you’re feeling can help get you through the waiting game. 

Another tip to ease any nerves is to speak to your future uni and learn more about your study options. At RMIT, even if you don’t get the ATAR you need for your dream course, there are still pathway options, including Guaranteed Pathways, to help you get there. 

Remember that you can still adjust your course preference list before ATARs are released, so keep your options open and continue researching what might be best for you.   

Expand all sections

Whether you’re looking to assist your teen as they begin applying for university courses or just want to better understand the process, we can help. 

The article you’re reading now is a tool you can both use to better understand VTAC preferences and how the Change of Preference process works, but here are a few more resources that you’ll find handy. 

  • Information for parents and guardians – This page is a go-to hub for everything you need to know as a parent. From accommodation details to information about equitability services, you’ll find it all here. 
  • Guide to VTAC and uni terms – It’s completely natural to be confused by some of the jargon and acronyms that get thrown around at this time. With this guide, you can stay up to date about what it all means. 
  • How your teen can get into uni without an ATAR - Did you know that perfect exam results aren’t the only way into uni? Your teen might even be able to pick up extra qualifications along the way. 

ATAR Anxiety

If you thought completing your VCE was tough, waiting for your ATAR is even tougher. It's a stressful time when all of your hard work, effort and stresses of the last 12 months gets distilled into one number.

Animated character in front of RMIT pixel, with a flying degree above their head

Understanding pathways

Don't meet the entry criteria? Pathways provide opportunities for you to transfer between RMIT courses.

Step two: Final rounds of Change of Preference begin

After results are released, the final rounds of VTAC Change of Preference begin, and you can make an informed decision on what you’d like to study.   

As Change of Preference begins, keep in mind that your preference list should be your course wishlist in the order of what you want to study the most. You will receive one offer, the highest on the list you are eligible for each offer round.   

You can change your preferences at until the VTAC Change of Preference close dates, follow the  easy-to-follow guide to make sure you are on time.  If you know exactly what you want, lock in your preferences quickly during round 1. If you need a little more time, you can update them again in later rounds.  

Remember: check the VTAC dates and fees page to ensure you’re submitting your preferences on time, as dates can vary depending on whether you’re a domestic or international student. It’s also important to be mindful that some courses have an early closing date. If you're unsure, feel free to reach out to us for a chat to double-check that you’re on the right track. 

Undergraduate engineering student

Make RMIT your first preference to secure what’s next

Need help changing your preferences and want to speak with us directly? Check our Change of Preference page to find resources and services to help you take hold of your future at RMIT. 

Explore courses

Step three: Receive and accept your offer

At the end of each VTAC Change of Preference round, it’s offer time. You’ll receive your offer for tertiary study in your email, on the dates outlined on the VTAC dates and fees page.

Finally receiving an offer for your dream course is cause for celebration, but make sure to accept the offer to secure your place. Your offer email will contain instructions on how to do this.   

If you choose not to accept your offer, or you change your mind after you’ve accepted, that’s okay: you still have other options. You can’t delete it from your preference list, however you can reorder or add new courses to your preference list instead and wait for other offers during Change of Preference. RMIT recommends accepting your first-round offer because you’re still eligible to receive offers in later rounds even if you’ve accepted an offer.  

Didn't receive an offer? Don’t panic. Make sure you have courses and pathways you are eligible for, check the VTAC website, or contact us if you would like more info. You can still receive offers in later rounds, or you can change your preference again by adding or removing courses.

Need help with deciding what's next?

Whether your next adventure will be leading the future of business, pushing creative boundaries, or breaking the rules in STEM, at RMIT we’re here to help you decide what’s next. We offer a range of support services for Year 12s and parents, including:  

  • Phone services and live chat, where you can get your quick-fire questions answered, from course entry requirements to pathway options.   
  • Our in-person Change of Preference Expo, which will be held at the RMIT Melbourne City campus on 12 December from 9am to 3pm this year. The Expo is a chance to get the answers to all your preference selection questions and discover the pathways options available to you.  

For everything else you need to know about Change of Preference, including RMIT hours of operation, events contact details and answers to FAQs, visit the Change of Preference page.  

Preference RMIT to unlock your potential and discover what’s next.

 

Story: Pallavi Daniel and Jacob Johnston

You might also be interested in...

uni-life-learn-the-lingo-landscape_SEH.jpg

Your guide to VTAC and RMIT terms

Uni lingo can seem like an entirely different language sometimes, but with this glossary, you’ll be fluent in no time.

Three students talking in an spaceous lounge

How your teen can get into uni without an ATAR 

The perfect exam score isn’t the only way into a uni course. Your teen may be wondering how to get into uni without an ATAR, without even realising that some of the university pathways provide more benefits.

RMIT student

Equitable learning and disability support that empowers RMIT students

RMIT’s Equitable Learning Services (ELS) provide learning and disability support that empowers students to achieve their goals.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information