What is the change of preference period?
School’s out for the summer! Well done, you’ve finished your exams and are officially a school leaver! Now it’s time to think about your study preferences and make sure you’re on the right track to following your career dreams.
The change of preference period refers to times during the year when students have the opportunity to modify their university course preferences. There are a number of reasons why you may change your preferences, such as doing better in your exams than expected, getting a lower ATAR than anticipated, or simply changing your career goals.
The most important change of preference period occurs immediately after Year 12 results are released, when you can tweak your shortlist one final time before university offers are determined in December.
Change of preferences is an excellent time to reflect on everything you’ve worked towards this year. It allows you to rethink your study options and the direction of your future career path.
How to change your preferences
To change your course preferences, simply log in to your state-based tertiary admissions centre using the account you have already set up.
Open your course preference list, and add, delete or rearrange your course choices, in the order that you would most like to study them. Make sure your number one choice appears at the top.
Change of preference dates
Here are the closing dates for each state and territory:
| State / Territory | ATAR Results Released | Change of preferences due |
| Victoria | 11 December | 13 December |
| NSW & ACT | 18 December | 18 December |
| Queensland | 18 December | 18 December |
| Western Australia | 19 December | 20 December |
| South Australia & Northern Territory | TBA | 5 January 2026 |
| Tasmania | 17 December | N/A – speak to UTAS regarding your chosen course |
Change of Preference Tips!
Put your top choice first
Keep in mind that all courses will be making offers in the main offer round. In subsequent offer rounds, only courses with places available will make offers. To ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to secure a spot in your preferred course, you should place it at the very top of your preference list. Put the courses in the order you wish to study them, not the order that you think you will get in!
Remember there are plenty of options!
Didn’t get the ATAR you expected? Relax, there are always options. Our Diploma, Associate and Bachelor courses do not require an ATAR because we realise that creativity should not be bound by an ATAR score. All of our courses are fully accredited and hold the same weight as those from any other uni’s.
Attend Change of Preference Info Nights
Universities and colleges know that the main change of preference period can be stressful and that you probably have a lot of questions around what you want to study. That’s why many of them run a Change of Preference Info Session during the change of preference week.
You can usually find this information on the internet so if you’re struggling to decide what to put at the top of your list, why not attend an info session where you can talk to course advisors and ask them your burning questions.
SAE is having their Change of Preference Online Event on Friday 12 December at 1pm (AEDT) where you can hear from our Course Advisors, learn about the courses we offer and get a glimpse into what life is like at SAE!
Attending this event is a great way to reassure yourself that you’re making the right choices.
Register for SAE’s Change of Preference online event.
