How the university application process works step-by-step

Step 1: Choose how you’ll apply to university

There are a few different ways to apply to study a course at university, and the one you choose will depend on your particular situation.

Here’s a quick rundown:

Tertiary Admission Centres (TACs)

If you’re coming straight out of Year 12 and applying to university based on your ATAR score, you can place preferences for multiple courses across universities via your state or territory’s TAC – such as VTAC in Victoria, UAC in NSW or TISC in WA.

These centres manage bulk applications and send offers to students moving into the university system straight out of high school.

Direct application

If you don’t meet the requirements to apply via your local TAC, you may prefer to apply directly to the university that offers your chosen course. You’ll collect your required documents and fill out forms to send directly to the university.

Each university’s direct application process is slightly different, so you’ll need to go to their website to work out the specifics.

Open Universities Australia

A good option if you want a streamlined way to apply for online courses across leading Australian universities, get no-cost guidance from a student advisor, and explore pathways if you don’t meet the usual entry requirements.

Through us, you’ll simply upload your documents and details to our headache-free application form, or you can lean on a student advisor to walk you through it, either over the phone or through online chat.

To learn more about applying via Open Universities Australia, read on for the remaining steps to apply for university.

Step 2: Check your eligibility

Eligibility quick guide

Specific entry requirements differ between courses, but here’s a quick list of things you might need to consider:

• Undergraduate courses: check whether you meet the course’s entry requirements, which may include an ATAR, prior study such as TAFE, or work experience.
• Postgraduate courses: check whether you need a completed bachelor degree, relevant professional experience or previous study in a related field.
• Mature-age students: check whether your work experience, previous study or life experience can support your application, even if you do not have a recent ATAR.
• Alternative pathways: check whether you can start with a lower-entry option, such as a single subject, undergraduate certificate or diploma, then use that study to progress into a degree.
• International residents: pay particular attention to fees, because international residents are not eligible for Australian government loans.

There are multiple paths to university, so I always advise the aspiring students I support to be open-minded when comparing courses. Applying to a university course is more in-depth vs enrolling in an open access single subject.

If you have questions about your particular circumstances, book a consultation with a student advisor and one of us will be happy to help.

The three key aspects of eligibility

No matter the level of course you’re applying for, the three most important aspects of eligibility for university are:

1. Your citizenship status
2. Your prior studies
3. Your funding options

#1: Your citizenship status

Through Open Universities Australia, some university courses only accept Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Others accept international residents. Your citizenship status will also come into play when it comes to your funding options – see the funding section below.

#2: Your prior studies

Your previous study can shape the courses you’re eligible for, but it doesn’t have to limit your options. Even if you only completed Year 10, there may be pathways into university.

Depending on your background, you may be able to apply based on:

• Higher education
• Recent secondary education
• Vocational education and training (VET)
• Work and life experience

Undergraduate course eligibility

With so many options available, it can be tricky to work out the best pathway for your particular background and goals.

The good news? That’s what our student advisor consultations are for. After you’ve scheduled your consultation, check out these tips on how to prepare for your chat.

Postgraduate course eligibility

Some postgraduate programs are nested, which means the graduate certificate and graduate diploma are built into the masters degree. In these cases, it can be best to apply for the highest qualification you’re eligible for, as you can always exit early if your plans change.

Other postgraduate qualifications are offered as separate courses, so always check the course details before you apply.

Open Universities Australia also offers Open Access single subjects in select postgraduate study areas. These may give you another way to start postgraduate study, depending on your goals.

#3: Your funding options

It’s important to understand your funding options before you apply. If you apply through Open Universities Australia, your available fee and loan options will be built into the application process, so you can review these details in one place.

Here’s what to know:

• Course fees: Some courses offer Commonwealth supported places (CSPs), where the Australian Government pays part of your fees.
• Government loans: You may be able to defer your fees with HECS-HELP for CSPs or FEE-HELP for full-fee places.
• Scholarships: Make sure you look into university scholarships, which may be on offer for academic achievement, financial hardship, location, chosen field of study or personal circumstances.
• Residency status: Permanent residents usually pay domestic student fees but aren't eligible for government loans. International students pay international fees and pay upfront.
• Study progress: To keep access to FEE-HELP, you generally need to pass at least 50% of the subjects you attempt.

Although most students who study through us access funding options, you also have the option of paying upfront if this best suits your financial situation.

Step 3: Check dates

Many of the courses offered through Open Universities Australia have multiple start dates throughout the year. Application deadlines and start dates differ between universities.

I always tell people, the sooner you apply, the sooner you can enrol and get ready to start studying. But the good thing about studying through us is if you miss a deadline, there’s often another similar course starting soon.

To check your timing, look at:

• Course application deadlines: listed on the course details page
• Study term dates: listed on the course details page and in our key dates information
• Late enrolment options: may be available by calling us on 13 67 36 if you miss a deadline
• Open Access single subjects: sometimes a faster way to start, if they’re available in your course area

Step 4: Gather your documents

The specific documents you need will vary based on your particular circumstances, but this general list gives you a solid start. If you have any questions whatsoever, just reach out.

Unique Student Identifier (USI)

If you’ve studied before in Australia, including year 12 or TAFE, you probably have a USI number. It’s an Australian Government reference number for tracking your studies and sharing data between government departments.

• Find it here: find your USI

Or, if you’ve checked and definitely don’t already have one, you can create a new USI here.

Tax File Number

If you're applying for a government loan, this is another key detail you’ll need, that you likely already have.

• Find it here: in the ATO section of your MyGov account

If you don’t yet have a tax file number, apply for one on the government website and you can use the receipt in your application form, then update your details in our system once it arrives.

Citizenship or permanent residency

To prove your citizenship, you can give us a copy of one of your:

• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Citizenship certificate

PDFs and similar file types are OK (we’ve even been known to accept good quality photos!), and we may even be able to accept passports that have recently expired.

New Zealand citizens are considered permanent residents. Australian permanent residents, you’ll need your current passport and VEVO.

Prior study (if relevant)

Our streamlined application process includes our qualifications check that allows us to see the details of any study you’ve previously started at any Australian university.

You just need to give us:

• The university name
• Qualification name
• Year commenced
• Year completed (if relevant – we can also search incomplete degrees)

If your previous study was overseas or at TAFE or another registered training organisation (RTO), we’ll need to see your academic transcript and award certificate.

Keep in mind there are plenty of courses available that don't require you to have studied previously.

Additional documents (postgraduate courses only)

• Personal statement: a 500-word document outlining your motivations and reasons for applying for the course
• Resume: if you’re applying based on prior work and life experience
• Professional reference letters: if you’re applying based on prior work and life experience

Read more about what needs to go in these documents.

Step 5: Start your application

You can apply online, over the phone with a student advisor or through live chat.

If you’re applying online, use the application portal through Student Hub on our website.

• Start here: log in to our Student Hub

You’ll just need a free account, which is quick to set up. The portal keeps your application in one place, so you can upload documents, review your details, and save your progress to finish later.

I always recommend gathering your documents before you start, which could mean you may complete your application in around 30 minutes. Here's a quick checklist:

Checklist for university applications

Before you start your application, make sure you have all your documents handy.

• Unique Student Identifer (USI)
• Tax File Number (TFN)
• Proof of citizenship or Permanent Residency
• Details of prior study (if any)

Some postgraduate courses only:

• Personal statement
• Resume
• Professional reference letters

Step 6: Accept your offer

So what happens after you apply? We have an auto-offer arrangement with some undergraduate certificates and bachelor degrees, while others need your documents checked by the university before you’ll be accepted.

I generally recommend expecting:

• 7–10 days for undergraduate courses
• Up to 6 weeks for postgraduate courses

If the university needs any more details from you, we’ll be in touch. If you’ve applied for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, you’ll be taken to the form to finalise this once you accept your offer.

Then you’ll be automatically enrolled into the subject(s) you selected during the application process, and you’ll be added to the student systems with both Open Universities Australia and your university.

What if my application isn't successful?

There is more than one path to the goal you have in mind! Book a consultation with a student advisor to help you plan your next move.

Step 7: Wait for your pre-study support check-in

Once you’re enrolled, an Open Universities Australia student advisor will give you a pre-study support check-in call. We’ll answer any administration-related questions you may have and let you know what to expect.

This will be the first of many check-ins we'll have together throughout your study journey. If we can’t catch you, we’ll send an email with a reschedule link to set up another time for the call.

You’ll also start receiving communications from your university, based on their timelines, and will get access to your university’s learning management system (LMS) so you can prepare to start studying.

Need help with your application?

Book a consultation with an Open Universities Australia student advisor for free, personalised guidance.

If you're still exploring your options, you can browse courses by study area or try Help Me Choose to get matched with the best study choices for you.

FAQs about university applications