How to Apply Through UAC for 2027 Entry: Steps, Application Charge, Preferences and Offer Rounds
Updated 5 November 2026 (AEDT) · dates and charges as published by UAC
UAC (Universities Admissions Centre) is the central undergraduate application service for New South Wales and the ACT: one application covers more than 30 universities and colleges. Applications for semester 1, 2027 are open now. The application charge has been A$215 since 1 October 2026 and the final closing date is 5 February 2027. NSW and ACT ATARs are released on 16 December 2026, and the first ATAR-based offers follow on 23 December 2026.
Whether an international student can apply through UAC depends on the senior secondary qualification they are completing. International applicants can list up to six course preferences; domestic applicants up to five. Newstars handles each step, from choosing preferences and lodging the application to accepting an offer and applying for the student visa.
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Who can apply for undergraduate study through UAC
UAC takes undergraduate applications from domestic and international applicants. Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens apply as domestic applicants; students on a student visa or another temporary visa apply as international applicants.
Domestic applicants
Students completing the NSW HSC or another state’s Year 12, recent school leavers with an ATAR, and non-school leavers with other qualifications can all apply through UAC.
International applicants: it depends on the qualification
International students can apply through UAC only if they are completing in 2026, or completed in 2025, one of three qualifications: an Australian Year 12 (in or outside Australia), the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or New Zealand NCEA Level 3. Students with any other international qualification apply directly to the university.
Permanent residency granted after applying
A student who applied as an international applicant and is then granted permanent residency must reapply as a domestic applicant. If an unconditional offer has already been made, contact the university straight away.
Many universities take both UAC applications and direct applications. If you use both routes, choose different courses in each so you can receive offers to different courses.
Application steps: from creating an account to paying the charge
The whole UAC application is completed at apply.uac.edu.au, and it is not complete until the charge is paid.
Step 1: Create an account
Create an account with an email address and password, verify the email address, then log in and start the application.
Step 2: Enter identity and qualification details
State the secondary qualification being completed in 2026, or completed in 2025, and enter the Year 12 student number and UAC PIN if asked. The name must match the passport or other official ID, or enrolment will run into problems.
Step 3: Choose preferences
International applicants can choose up to six course preferences; domestic applicants up to five. Preferences are considered in the order listed and can be changed free of charge before each round’s deadline.
Step 4: Pay and watch your email
Pay by credit card (Mastercard or Visa) or PayPal; 2026 domestic Year 12 students in Australia can also pay by BPAY. After paying, keep an eye on the registered email address, where all UAC notices are sent.
UAC application charge: A$215 if you apply now
The early bird period ran from 8 April to 30 September 2026 at A$82. It has ended: undergraduate applications lodged from 1 October 2026 to 5 February 2027 cost A$215. Domestic and international applicants pay the same charge.
| When you apply | Undergraduate application charge |
| 8 April to 30 September 2026 (early bird) | A$82 |
| 1 October 2026 to 5 February 2027 | A$215 |
| ATAR Advice Notice (digital) | Free until 17 March 2027 |
Source: UAC applicant processing charges (read 4 November 2026). Charges include 10% GST, are not refundable and cannot be carried over to another admissions period. Figures are current as at the build date.
A payment can take up to three working days to clear. The application must be completed, paid for and submitted by 11.59pm on the closing date; an unpaid application is not processed and receives no offer.
How preferences are ranked and how offers are made
UAC works through preferences in order. If an applicant meets the requirements of their first preference and is competitive enough, they receive an offer to that course only; if not, the second preference is considered, and so on. The universities decide who receives an offer; UAC does not select applicants.
Domestic applicants: one offer per round
A domestic applicant receives at most one offer in each round, to the highest preference they qualify for.
International applicants: one offer per university per round
An international applicant can receive one offer from each university in each round. For example, six preferences split between two universities can produce two offers in the same round.
After a first-preference offer, lower preferences are not considered
Once an applicant receives an offer to their first preference, lower preferences are not considered in later rounds unless the preferences are changed. To keep competing for other courses, accept the offer in hand first, then replace the accepted course in the preference list before the next round. An accepted place is not lost by doing this.
Domestic applicants cannot change preferences between a round’s change-of-preference deadline and the release of offers; international applicants who change courses in that window may miss out on an offer to their preferred course. Settle the order before the deadline.
Key dates from December 2026 to February 2027
Most semester 1 offers are made in December and January, and each round is released at 7.30am (Sydney time). International applicants’ rounds:
| Apply and pay by (11.59pm) | Change preferences by (11.59pm) | Offers released (7.30am) |
| 10 December 2026 | 18 December 2026 | 23 December 2026 |
| 2 January 2027 | 3 January 2027 | 8 January 2027 |
| 15 January 2027 | 17 January 2027 | 22 January 2027 |
| 30 January 2027 | 31 January 2027 | 5 February 2027 |
| 5 February 2027 (semester 1 final closing date) | 14 February 2027 | 19 February 2027 |
| 5 February 2027 (semester 1 final closing date) | 22 February 2027 | 26 February 2027 |
Source: UAC international applications and offers (read 4 November 2026).
The domestic main offer round (December Round 2, the first ATAR-based offers): apply and pay by 26 November 2026, upload documents by 10 December, change preferences by 18 December, offers on 23 December. NSW and ACT ATARs are released at 9am on 16 December 2026; interstate and IB applicants are also expected to receive offers in the 23 December round, and NZ NCEA applicants in January 2027. Release dates for other states are in ATAR release dates by state.
After the offer: accepting, confirmation of enrolment and the student visa
Every offer has an acceptance deadline. An offer that is not accepted in time lapses, and the place may go to another applicant in the next round. How to accept is set out in the university’s offer email; most universities take acceptance online.
Conditional and unconditional offers
After lodging a UAC application, an international applicant receives a conditional offer letter that can be used for a pre-visa assessment. Once an unconditional offer is accepted and the tuition deposit and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) are paid, the university issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
The student visa needs a CoE
A CoE must be in hand to apply for the student visa (subclass 500). Students who will be under 18 on arrival need approved accommodation, support and welfare arrangements before the visa is granted, either through the university or with a parent applying for the student guardian visa (subclass 590).
Holding more than one offer
An applicant can accept more than one offer, but must formally withdraw from every course they will not take before its census date, or they may be charged fees or recorded as failing.
How Newstars helps: from preferences to the student visa
Newstars education consultants rank preferences around the student’s curriculum, predicted results and target course, and line up direct applications and foundation or pathway programs as back-ups. Once an offer arrives, we help with accepting it, the CoE and OSHC, and our migration team lodges the student visa or guardian visa.
Preferences not settled yet, or not sure the student can apply through UAC?
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Common questions about applying through UAC
How much does a UAC application cost?
Undergraduate applications lodged from 1 October 2026 to 5 February 2027 cost A$215; the A$82 early bird price (8 April to 30 September) has ended. The charge is not refundable.
Can international students apply through UAC?
Yes, if they are completing in 2026, or completed in 2025, an Australian Year 12, the IB Diploma or New Zealand NCEA Level 3. Students with other international qualifications apply directly to the university.
How many preferences can I list with UAC?
Up to six for international applicants and up to five for domestic applicants. Preferences can be changed free at any time; between a round’s change deadline and the release of offers, domestic applicants cannot change them and international applicants who do may miss that round’s offer.
When do UAC applications close for semester 1, 2027?
The final closing date is 11.59pm on 5 February 2027. For the 23 December 2026 main offer round, international applicants must apply and pay by 10 December and domestic applicants by 26 November.
When are UAC offers released?
Each round is released at 7.30am, with an email notice. The first ATAR-based offers are released on 23 December 2026, followed by several rounds in January and February 2027.
Can I change my preferences after my ATAR comes out?
Yes. The change-of-preference deadline for the 23 December round is 11.59pm on 18 December 2026, and ATARs are released on 16 December, which leaves just over two days to adjust.
Get the UAC preferences right before ATARs come out
Send us the school, curriculum, predicted results and target course. A Newstars education consultant will give you a free initial assessment.
