How to get early entry?

Common strengths across early entry programs: consistent Year 11 results, a clear course reason, leadership or work, and meeting prerequisites. Some schemes also focus on equity or school recommendation routes.

When do you apply for early entry and when to apply for early entry?

For many Year 12 pathways, applications open in the first half of the year and close from late July through September in the example 2026 intake cycle shown across several unis. ANU’s example cycle opened in March and closed mid-May.

When does early entry open, and when does early entry open for 2026?

It depends on the program. Example cycles show: ANU early offer applications opened 3 March 2025 for the 2026 intake example UNE lists SRS opening 2 April 2025 for 2026 SRS entryUTS Early Entry opened 4 June 2025 in the example cycle

When does early entry close, and when do early entry offers come out?

Closing dates vary by uni and scheme. Offer releases also vary. Examples: UTS Early Entry closed 8 Sep 2025 and released provisional offers 24 Sep 2025 in the example cycle ANU early offers are released in September UAC SRS offers are described as arriving in rounds, including December Round 1

When does UAC early entry close, and when does UAC early entry come out?

If you mean the Schools Recommendation Scheme route, UNE lists SRS applications closing 5 September 2025 for 2026 SRS entry.UAC explains SRS offers come out in rounds and notes December Round 1 as a key release point.

When does UTS early entry close?

In the UAC early offer schemes listing for the example cycle, UTS Early Entry applications closed 8 Sep 2025.UTS also lists a separate school recommendation scheme timeline with a close date shown for Autumn 2026.

Does UNSW do Early Entry, and when does UNSW Early Entry close?

Yes. UNSW describes early offers through pathways like Gateway, and in the example cycle Gateway Round 1 closed 23 July 2025 with offers released 4 September 2025.

Does USYD do Early Entry?

Students often search USYD Early Entry or University of Sydney Early Entry. The University of Sydney mainly promotes pathways like adjustment factors, specific entry schemes, and guaranteed entry rules rather than a single broad “early entry offer” program for all Year 12 applicants.

Early Early Programs in University in Australia

Q: How to apply for early entry?

Start by choosing your course and checking the program page, then apply through the correct channel: UAC, VTAC, QTAC, or the university’s own portal. Many programs use Year 11 results plus a statement or school recommendation.

Q: How does early entry work?

You apply early, the uni assesses you using criteria other than final ATAR alone, and you may receive an offer before ATAR release. ANU states early offers release in September and uses Year 11 results with adjustments in assessment.

Year 12 can feel like a countdown clock: exams, assignments, ATAR talk… and one big question hanging over you. Can I lock in a uni place earlier?

That’s where early entry comes in. At PickMyUni, we see early entry take a huge amount of pressure off students who have been consistent in Year 11, active in school life, or have strong reasons they should be considered beyond a final score.

Quick answer for students and parents

Early entry is a way to receive a university offer before final ATAR results are released. Many early entry programs assess you using Year 11 results, school recommendations, portfolios, or personal statements. Some places offer their scholarships with conditions that you have to fulfil, and that is completion of Year 12. Early entry programs are common practices for NSW, ACT, QLD, and VIC, and the process can be handled through admission centers such as UAC and state programs of QTAC and VTAC, or directly through the institution. The best thing to do is to shortlist and apply through the correct portal and monitor the closing dates.

What is an Early Entry?

Early Entry: It will serve as an entry scheme that offers eligible students an offer or conditional offer prior to receiving ATAR. In PickMyUni conversations with students, early entry usually falls into one of these styles:

Year 11 results-based early entry (common for many uni early entry programs)
School recommendation early entry (often through UAC early entry options like SRS in NSW and ACT)
Portfolio or extracurricular-based early entry (popular for creative degrees and some competitive programs)
University-run early offer schemes (common in QLD and ACT)

A key thing: early entry does not mean you can ignore Year 12. You still need to complete Year 12 and meet any course prerequisites or conditions on your offer.

Early entry vs “guaranteed entry” vs access schemes

Here’s the simple difference PickMyUni explains:

Early entry: an offer is made earlier than main rounds.
Guaranteed entry: you get certainty if you hit a published ATAR or selection rank rule .
Access or equity schemes: adjustments or alternative assessment based on circumstances, location, school, hardship, or other criteria.

Who offers early entry programs in Australia?

Below is a practical “who offers what” map using programs students ask PickMyUni about most. Dates shift year to year, so treat the timing as a guide and confirm on the program page.

NSW and ACT early entry programs

University	How you apply	What it’s based on	Typical timing for 2026 intake examples
UTS Early Entry	UAC	Year 11 results; offer may include ATAR condition	Autumn 2026 Orientation: 2–13 Feb 2026; Classes start: 16 Feb 2026
UNSW Early Entry	UNSW Gateway portal and other schemes	Eligibility-based pathway; some early conditional offers	O-Week: 9–13 Feb 2026; Teaching starts: 16 Feb 2026
ANU Early Entry	Direct ANU early offer application	Year 11 results plus adjustments; early offers released in September	Semester 1 begins: 23 Feb 2026
UOW Early Entry	UOW Early Admission portal	Skills, experiences, and school info; separate from ATAR offers	If you already have a 2026 offer, enrolment can start from 1 Dec 2025, and UOW notes there are offer rounds into 2026
Western Sydney Early Entry	Western Sydney True Reward	Year 11 or Year 12 results; multiple rounds	True Reward Round 4 offers: 8 Jan 2026 (this one has just passed
Macquarie University Early Entry	Macquarie Leaders & Achievers	Application with outcomes released in set rounds	Classes start (Session 1): 23 Feb 2026
UNE Early Entry	UAC SRS route	School recommendation; key dates listed for 2026 SRS entry	For Trimester 1, 2026: on-time closing (most courses): 13 Feb 2026; coursework starts: 23 Feb 2026
UON Early Entry	UON Early Entry + UAC	Year 11 results for UON early entry; also SRS via UAC	Welcome Week: 19–23 Jan 2026; Semester 1 commences: 27 Jan 2026; Census date: 20 Feb 2026
Notre Dame Early Entry	Notre Dame online form; also UAC and TISC pathways	Early offer rounds from September to early December	Notre Dame states early offers are made in rounds from September until early December, and notes the 2026 early offer program is closed
UC Early Entry	UC Early Offer Scheme	ACT and NSW Year 12 eligibility focus	Next early-offer cycle dates published: Open 27 Mar 2026, close 9 Aug 2026, docs 23 Aug 2026, offers 7 Sep 2026

Where does “UAC early entry” fit?
In NSW and ACT, many early offers flow through UAC early offer schemes and the Schools Recommendation Scheme. UAC also publishes early offer scheme information for Year 12 students.

VIC early entry programs

Uni	How you apply	Notes
RMIT Early Entry	RMIT Early Offer Program	Program page lists intake as closed for 2026
La Trobe Early Entry	Aspire Early Offer Program	Aspire is an early conditional offer option
Swinburne Early Entry	Swinburne Early Entry Program	Listed as ATAR-free entry option and says 2026 intake is open
Victoria University Early Entry	VU Early Entry	Page says applications are closed and will open again next year

QLD early entry programs

Uni	How you apply	What it’s based on
QUT Early Entry	QTAC, tied to your QTAC first preference	Offer before final results; scheme is explained on QUT site
Griffith University Early Entry	QTAC	Griffith promotes Year 12 early offer guarantee options
Bond University Early Entry	QTAC and direct pathways	QTAC listing describes early offers issued from June for Bond

How to apply for early entry in Australia

Pick your target courses first

Early entry is easier when you’re clear on:

the degree and major you want
the campus
any prerequisites like maths, science, folio, audition

PickMyUni’s advice: keep a “dream, realistic, safe” list so you have options if one early entry program says no.

Match the right application channel

This is the part many students get wrong:

UAC early entry routes are common for NSW and ACT programs and recommendations schemes
Direct university portals are used for some programs like ANU early offers
VTAC is the core channel in Victoria, and some uni programs tie back to a VTAC application
QTAC is the main channel in Queensland for offers like QUT and Griffith

Prepare what early entry programs usually ask for

Most early entry application checklists include:

Year 11 report or school results summary
a short written statement
activities, leadership, paid work, volunteering
in some cases a portfolio

UNSW explicitly separates offer timing by scheme, including Gateway and portfolio-style early conditional offers.

Keep your preferences clean

For programs tied to an admissions centre, your preferences matter. Example: UTS notes you need a UAC application and must include a UTS preference by a stated deadline in that cycle.

Track outcomes and respond fast

Offers can arrive in waves. For ANU, early offers are released in September and assessed from Year 11 results.
For UAC SRS, UAC describes December Round 1 offers and then conversion rules in later rounds.

How does early entry work once you get an offer?

PickMyUni’s plain explanation:

You receive an early offer or early conditional offer.
You accept it in the right portal.
You finish Year 12 and meet conditions listed, if any.
Your offer becomes final in later rounds, or you keep it while waiting for ATAR-based options.

PickMyUni’s “Early Entry Readiness” self-check

Give yourself 1 point for each statement:

My Year 11 results are steady across most subjects
I can explain why I want this course in a clear paragraph
I have at least 2 activities or responsibilities outside class
I’ve checked prerequisites for my course
I know which portal I must apply through
I’ve written down closing dates and offer release windows

Score guide:

5–6: you’re ready to apply for early entry now
3–4: apply, but tighten your course list and written statement first
0–2: start with course research and eligibility checks, then apply

If you want, PickMyUni can help you build a course shortlist and map your application path so you’re not guessing.

Extra quick date answers students ask a lot

When does ANU early entry come out? ANU says early offers are released in September each year.
When does ANU early entry close? Example cycle listed on UAC shows ANU early admission closing 15 May 2025 for 2026 intake assessment.
When does Macquarie early entry open / close? Macquarie lists round deadlines for 2026 entry: apply-by 25 Jul 2025 or 2 Sep 2025 depending on round.
When does Notre Dame early entry close? Notre Dame’s early offer page shows applications closed for 2026, and it notes offers run in rounds from September to early December.
When does UOW early entry close? UOW’s Early Admission page shows the program as closed for 2026 entry on the page, so the best move is to register for updates there.
When does Western Sydney early entry close? True Reward uses round cut-offs. Round 1 apply-by is 3 Sep 2025 in the key dates table.

What to do next?

If you’re aiming for early entry, don’t try to brute-force it with random applications. A clean plan wins:

pick your top courses
confirm the right application portal
map deadlines and offer rounds
write a short statement that sounds like a real person, not a template

If you want help, PickMyUni can compare your shortlist, check which university early entry options match your profile.

Early Early Programs in University in Australia – Who offers & How to Apply?