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Home | Understanding Offers

Understanding Offers

SATAC makes offers to courses on behalf of our participating institutions. 

Your eligibility to receive an offer in a given offer round depends on:

  • Timing of your application: When you submitted your application.

  • Assessment status: Whether assessment has been completed. Please keep an eye out for emails requesting additional documents, as these may be required to finalise your assessment.

  • Pending results: If you are awaiting results, such as Year 12 results or results from higher education studies recently undertaken.

  • Offer rounds: Whether the courses you applied for are making offers in that offer round.

  • Eligibility and competitiveness: Whether your application is both eligible and competitive enough for an offer.

In this page

Offers

SATAC makes offers to , and TAFE SA courses.

There are multiple rounds throughout the admission year. View our offer round key dates for the full schedule. 

Checking your offer status

You will be notified by email of any offers you receive. You can also check your offer status at any time by logging in to your mySATAC application.

You must follow the offer response and enrolment instructions in the offer letter. If you miss these deadlines, you risk losing your place in the course.

SATAC does not issue ‘rejection letters’ to applicants who do not receive an offer, as your application fee covers the entire application cycle, including semester 2 and summer school entry (where available). If teaching is about to commence for your preferred course(s) and you have not received an offer, we encourage you to contact SATAC for assistance.

We can provide advice on alternative pathways to strengthen your application and improve your chances of receiving an offer, such as adding additional , considering semester 2 intakes, or contacting the directly to discuss relevant pathway options.
 

Responding to an undergraduate or postgraduate offer

How SATAC handles offers

For most undergraduate and postgraduate courses, SATAC automatically accepts offers on your behalf. You can change your response at any time via the ‘Offer Status’ page in your mySATAC application.

Important: Enrolment in a course confirms your acceptance of the place and secures your spot.
 

Receiving an offer for your first preference

  • SATAC automatically accepts the offer for you.

  • You will not be considered for further preferences, as your first choice has been secured.
     

Receiving an offer for a lower preference, but you still want a higher preference

  • While SATAC automatically accepts the offer for the course you received, you will still be considered for your higher preferences in future offer rounds.

  • Enrolling in the offered course does not prevent you from receiving an offer for a higher preference course in a future offer round. However, you can only have one active offer in your application at any given time. If you receive an offer to a higher preference in a future offer round, it will supersede your existing offer and replace it. See the ‘Things to Note’ section below for more information on multiple enrolments.
     

Receiving an offer for a lower preference, and you want to accept this and no longer be considered for higher preferences

  • You must log in to mySATAC and change your preference order to make the offered course your first preference. You will then no longer be considered in future offer rounds, as your first choice has been secured.

  • Once an offer is received, you cannot delete the preference, but you can move it in your order.
     

Things to note:

  • Enrolment confirms your place: Once you enrol, your spot in that course is secured.

  • Cannot remove offers: After receiving an offer, you cannot delete that preference.

  • Receiving more than one offer: You can only have one active offer in your application at any one time. If you already hold an offer and then receive an offer for a higher preference course in a later offer round, your existing offer will be superseded and replaced by the new one.

  • Postgraduate offers cannot be formally declined: If you decide not to take up a course, simply do not to enrol, and your offer will automatically expire in due time. Alternatively, you can contact the institution directly to let them know you do not wish to accept the offer.

  • Multiple enrolments: If you enrol in more than one course, ensure you unenrol from all but the course(s) you intend to study before the .

Responding to a TAFE SA offer

For TAFE SA courses, applicants must log in to mySATAC to respond to their offer. SATAC does not automatically accept these offers on your behalf.

Important points:

  • Timely response is essential: Not responding by the deadline may affect your chances of enrolling in the course or being considered for higher preferences.

  • Offers can expire: Offers can be withdrawn if you do not respond promptly, so it is crucial to act as soon as possible.
     

Changing your mind  

If you decide you want an offer for a different course, you may need to change your preferences.

Visit the preferences page for step-by-step instructions on how to change your preferences after receiving an offer.
 

Conditional offers

If you are an International Year 12, you may receive a conditional offer directly from a university for one or more courses you applied for through SATAC. A conditional offer is not final – you must meet the specified conditions for the offer to be formalised.

For undergraduate courses, your conditional offer will be formalised if you meet the conditions and are not offered a higher preference course in subsequent offer rounds.
 

Enrolment

Once you have received an offer, you can enrol in your course.

Enrolment details will be provided either in your offer letter or directly by the institution offering the course. SATAC does not manage enrolments, so you must complete the enrolment process with the institution.

Key points:

  • Follow the enrolment instructions carefully.

  • Meet all enrolment deadlines to secure your place.

  • If you have any questions about the enrolment process, contact the institution as soon as possible.

If you do not receive an offer

There are a range of reasons why you may not receive an offer to study – but there may also be steps you can take to strengthen your application.

Action required on your application

There may be outstanding actions required on your application that are preventing your to receive an offer to some – or all – of your preferences. 

Common actions include:

  • Providing information or official evidence of your qualifications

  • Submitting English Language Proficiency test results (if applicable)

  • Meeting specific entry requirements for your preferences (including any subjects)

  • Paying any outstanding application

Make sure you review your mySATAC application, check for any action items, and read all correspondence sent to the email linked to your account. Carefully follow the instructions, as this may help resolve issues impacting your application.

Not meeting entry requirements

Each course has its own entry criteria. If you haven’t met these, it may be due to one or more of the following:

  • Your or is below the required level

  • You’re missing prerequisite subjects

  • You haven’t met subject-specific or portfolio requirements

Review your preferences and check you meet the requirements for each course you’ve selected. 

Course competitiveness

Some courses receive more applicants than places available. Even if you meet the minimum requirements, you may still not receive an offer if:

  • The course is highly competitive

  • Other applicants have higher selection ranks

  • Applications are assessed in order of submission (this applies to some TAFE SA courses)

If this applies, you may want to explore alternative pathways. Many students take a different route and still go on to study their preferred course.

Next steps

If you haven’t received an offer and aren’t sure why, consider contacting SATAC or your chosen institution. They can help you understand your situation and suggest ways to strengthen your application.

You may also wish to:

  • Review and update your course preferences

  • Explore pathway or alternative entry options

  • Apply for future offer rounds

Remember, not receiving an offer now doesn’t close the door entirely – it may simply mean taking a different path to get where you want to go.

Confused female student

Deferment

Deferment allows you to postpone enrolment in a course, usually until the following year. The institution will hold your place, and you do not need to reapply through SATAC when it’s time to enrol.
 

Undergraduate and postgraduate courses

  • Most undergraduate and some postgraduate courses are deferrable through SATAC.

  • The course entry will indicate if deferment is not available. Use Course Search to check deferment eligibility.

  • To apply for deferment, log in to your mySATAC application and update your response in the Offer Status section.

  • Once your deferment is processed, SATAC will notify the institution.

  • Towards the end of the deferment period, the institution will email you with instructions on how to enrol. You do not need to apply through SATAC again.

Important: Keep an eye on your email inbox. SATAC does not send reminders, so it’s your responsibility to respond to the institution’s instructions. If you have questions about your deferred place, please speak to the institution.
 

TAFE SA courses

  • TAFE SA offers cannot be deferred through SATAC.

  • Contact TAFE SA if you wish to defer a course.

Course costs

Course fees vary depending on the course and institution you are studying at.

Each institution provides detailed information about course fees on their website.

You may be for a HELP loan or other financial assistance to help cover the costs of studying.
 

Credit and RPL

Credit is also referred to as status, , or recognition of prior learning (RPL). 

If you plan to apply for credit, you should seek advice from the institution before you enrol. They will provide guidance on the application process and the documentation you may need to supply.

SATAC does not provide advice on applying for credit or your eligibility.
 

Withdrawing from a course after enrolment

If you decide to withdraw from a course after enrolment, you should contact the institution for advice.

Important: Deadlines usually apply, and withdrawing after certain dates may result in financial or academic impacts.

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