The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Early university offers won’t be made until later in Year 12. Is this a good idea?

  • Written by Pearl Subban, Associate Professor, Faculty of Education, Monash University
early university offers won’t be made until later in Year 12. Is this a good idea?

The federal government has released the final report[1] on a Universities Accord. Taking more than a year to prepare, it is billed as a “blueprint” for reform for the next decade and beyond. It contains 47 recommendations across student fees, wellbeing, funding, teaching, research and university governance. You can find the rest of our accord coverage here[2].

If you are a Year 12 student this year, you may be hoping to get an early offer for a university place before your final exams even begin.

While the bulk of students receive their university offers in January of the year they plan to start study, it is increasingly common for students to receive an offer[3] while they are still at school. Offers have reportedly been made as early as March.

But this practice is set to change. While the federal government is still considering much of the Universities Accord final report, it has made a decision on its recommendation about early offers to Year 12 students.

Over the weekend, it announced[4] university offers in all states and territories should not be made to school students before September.

What are early offers?

Most (though not all[5]) Year 12 university applicants do their school exams, then their external exams and then apply to university with their ATAR (or Australian Tertiary Entrance Rank)[6].

Universities use this to make an offer to students from January of the year they begin study.

But some universities[7] and some subject areas take a different approach. They look at Year 11 results and factors such as portfolios of work, written responses to questions, demonstration of skills like resilience or motivation and/or letters of recommendation.

Students can apply under an early offer scheme. Then universities can make a provisional offer to Year 12 students before final exams and the release of ATARs.

Students are still required to complete Year 12 and may need to achieve a certain ATAR, have done certain subjects and received certain results in these subjects.

Early offers are not new to universities, particularly in areas such as visual and performing arts where measures beyond exam results are required. But the practice became more widespread during disruptions to learning and teaching during COVID.

A young woman looks at a notebook with a floral cover and types on a laptop.
Since COVID, more Australian students have had offers of a uni place during Year 12. Karolina Grabowska/, CC BY[8][9]

Read more: 'So many things to consider': how to help school leavers decide what to do next[10]

Why are early offers changing?

The Universities Accord review panel found early offers to students at school to be a “contentious practice”. It found there was no consistency or transparency around it and little data.

While they noted they can ease the stress of Year 12, the panel also heard early offers can lead to student disengagement “in the final and important weeks and months” of school.

The panel also noted they can favour students who already have personal or socioeconomic advantages, such as principals, careers counsellors or parents who can advocate for and write letters of recommendation on their behalf.

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare stands tine the grounds of Parliament House in Canberra and looks at the Universities Accord final report.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare released the Universities Accord final report on Sunday. Lukas Coch/AAP

What will happen now?

At a meeting last week, federal and state education ministers agreed[11] early offers to Year 12 students should change.

For this year and next, no early offers will be made before September. A national approach will be developed by 2027.

Students who suffer from exam anxiety and who are not as confident[12] may lose out as a result of this move.

Some students who become overwhelmed by Year 12, may perform better in the internal Year 11 exams where the pressure is often reduced. Year 11 exams are still significant but they are scored by classroom teachers and likely to take in other dynamics, including the student’s circumstances and background.

Read more: We can predict final school marks in year 11 – it's time to replace stressful exams with more meaningful education[13]

Is this change a good idea?

At the moment, the system is geared towards a year of assessments and exams the concludes with an ATAR, which is a student’s ticket into a university course. This sort of incentivisation may prepare students for future challenges[14] in their academic and career journeys.

It does however favour the student who performs well under test conditions and whose life circumstances enable them to work consistently all year.

It may also disadvantage those who already face challenges such as poor mental health[15], or those who are the first in their family[16] to attend to university.

Drawing more students from underrepresented backgrounds into university is a key goal[17] of the Universities Accord final report. If equity is a priority, it may be wise to rethink early offers for some vulnerable students.

Conscientious students are not likely to reduce their commitment to their study program and will persevere through Year 12 anyway.

References

  1. ^ final report (www.education.gov.au)
  2. ^ here (theconversation.com)
  3. ^ to receive an offer (www.smh.com.au)
  4. ^ it announced (ministers.education.gov.au)
  5. ^ though not all (www.smh.com.au)
  6. ^ Australian Tertiary Entrance Rank) (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ some universities (www.uac.edu.au)
  8. ^ Karolina Grabowska/ (www.pexels.com)
  9. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  10. ^ 'So many things to consider': how to help school leavers decide what to do next (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ agreed (www.education.gov.au)
  12. ^ who are not as confident (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ We can predict final school marks in year 11 – it's time to replace stressful exams with more meaningful education (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ challenges (global.oup.com)
  15. ^ as poor mental health (bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com)
  16. ^ first in their family (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ key goal (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/universities-accord-early-university-offers-wont-be-made-until-later-in-year-12-is-this-a-good-idea-224376

Times Magazine

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

Foodbank Queensland celebrates local hero for National Volunteer Week

Stephen Carey is a bit bananas.   He splits his time between his insurance broker business, caring for his young family, and volunteering for Foodbank Queensland one day a week. He’s even run the Bridge to Brisbane in a banana suit to raise mon...

Senior of the Year Nominations Open

The Allan Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to recognise the valuable contributions of older members of our community by nominating them for the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.  Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt today annou...

The Times Features

How to Tell If Your Eyes Are Working Harder Than They Should Be

Image by freepik Most of us take our vision for granted—until it starts to let us down. Whether it's squinting at your phone, rubbing your eyes at the end of the day, or feeling ...

Ways to Attract Tenants in a Competitive Rental Market

In the kind of rental market we’ve got now, standing out is half the battle. The other half? Actually getting someone to sign that lease. With interest rates doing backflips and ...

Top Tips for Finding the Ideal Block to Build Your Home

There’s something deeply personal and exciting about building your own home. You’re not just choosing paint colours or furniture, you’re creating a space that reflects your lifes...

The Home Buying Process Explained Step by Step

Buying a home is a thrilling milestone, but it can also feel like navigating a maze without a map. With paperwork, finances, and decisions at every turn, understanding the home-b...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s What You Need to Know

Selling a home is more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign. It’s a strategic process that involves preparation, pricing, and negotiation - all aimed at getting the best value ...

Smart Ways to Earn Passive Income from Real Estate

Imagine making money without doing much work. You get paid even while you sleep, travel, or do fun things. This is called passive income. Indeed, real estate has great ways to do...