Preferences

How the preference system works

SATAC treats each preference as a separate application. Your eligibility and selection rank (where applicable) are assessed individually for each course you list.

Selection rules can vary between institutions and courses. Your eligibility and selection rank might be different for each preference. It will depend on how your qualifications or other information (for example, audition score or evidence of relevant work experience) relate to the selection rules for the course.

Always read the course information before adding it as a preference. Each course entry listed in Course Search includes details on entry requirements, selection criteria, and closing dates.
 

Ordering preferences in an application

The way you list your preferences is very important. 

• SATAC treats your first preference as the course you most want to study, so list the course you are most interested in as your first preference.
• You must include at least one preference in your SATAC application.
• Include courses you would consider if you do not receive an offer for your first or higher preferences. Your application fee remains the same whether you list one or multiple preferences (you do not pay extra for using more or less preferences).
• You can list up to six preferences for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and up to three for TAFE SA courses.
• Your selection rank is determined by your eligibility and other criteria for each course, not by the order of your preferences.
   

Once you receive an offer for your first preference, SATAC will not consider you for your other preferences in future offer rounds. If your first preference is offered but your second choice is the course you truly wanted, you would need to change your preferences and compete in a future offer round. Be aware that this could put you at risk of missing out if your preferred course fills quickly, which is why it’s important to list your preferences in the right order.
 

Changing preferences

Changing preferences means:

• Adding new preferences to your application
• Changing the order of your existing preferences
• Deleting an existing preference

You can change your preferences by logging in to your mySATAC application. 

Deadlines for changing preferences

Some courses have strict closing dates or are subject to change-of-preference deadlines.

• If you make changes after the specified dates, you may not be eligible to receive an offer.
• At certain times, changes of preference may not be available to allow SATAC adequate time to prepare for upcoming offer rounds.
• Deleting a preference will cause any preferences below it to move up and fill the gap. This is treated as a change to those moved preferences. Before deleting a preference, consider whether any rules might affect preferences that shift as a result.

Contact SATAC for guidance if you have questions about changing your preferences, and always check the key dates for up-to-date information on deadlines for changing preferences.

Changing preferences and fees

SATAC does not charge a fee for changing your preferences.

However, if you add a Semester 1 course after a specified date (generally late September), a higher processing fee may apply. Check the fees or key dates page for deadlines.

There is no increase in application fees for postgraduate applicants who change their preferences.

TAFE SA applications are free of charge.
 

Preferences and offers

SATAC will make you an offer for the highest preference for which you are both eligible and competitive. You can hold only one offer at a time for undergraduate, postgraduate, and TAFE SA applications.

• If you do not receive an offer for your first preference, you will still be considered for your remaining preferences in the order you listed them. In each offer round, SATAC will attempt to place you in your preferences starting from the top (your first preference) and working downward. Once an offer can be made, the process stops at that preference.
• SATAC assesses your eligibility and selection rank for each preference individually. You compete for each course based on these criteria, regardless of the order you or other applicants placed them.

See offers and enrolment for more information.
 

Important information

• Preferences with an existing offer cannot be deleted. If you have reached the maximum number of preferences, you may need to remove one before adding a new course.
• Once you reach the maximum number of offers in your application, you will not be able to change your preferences or receive additional offers.
• Adding new preferences to your application may require you to provide additional information about your qualifications. Be sure to follow the instructions in your application and check your emails regularly in case SATAC requests further information from you.