🇦🇺 How to apply to university in Australia

There is no central application system: you apply to each institution directly. Programmes usually start: February–March (semester 1, main) and July (semester 2).

Checked on 20 October 2026 against the official sources listed below.

The essentials

Application system: None — apply to each institution on its own website.
When programmes start: February–March (semester 1, main) and July (semester 2).
International applicants: Most international students apply to each university directly or through an education agent; only those finishing an Australian Year 12, the IB Diploma or NCEA Level 3 can use UAC.
Language: An approved English test (IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and others) — needed for the visa and set per course by the university.

Key dates

Add all these dates to my calendar (.ics)

Everyone else applies to each university directly, by the deadline it sets.

Date	What	Who	Intake	Source	Calendar
10 December 2026	UAC: apply by this date for the 23 December offer round	International applicants eligible for UAC (finishing Australian Year 12, the IB Diploma or NCEA Level 3), NSW/ACT institutions	Semester 1, 2027	UAC — Key dates
5 February 2027	UAC: final international application deadline	International applicants eligible for UAC, NSW/ACT institutions	Semester 1, 2027	UAC — Key dates

A window shows its opening date above its closing date. Individual universities and programmes can set earlier dates of their own — always confirm on the official page before you rely on a date. The calendar file adds each date as an all-day event with a reminder a week before.

Your checklist

The usual steps for an international student applying to a bachelor's in Australia, in order. Tick them off as you go — your ticks stay in this browser, with no account.

1.Find a course on Study Australia's course search and check its entry and English requirements.
2.Apply to the university directly (or through UAC or another admission centre if you're finishing Australian Year 12, the IB or NCEA Level 3), or through an agent the university works with.
3.Accept your letter of offer and pay the deposit; the university issues a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
4.Buy Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your whole stay.
5.Apply for the Student visa (subclass 500) online in ImmiAccount with your CoE, English test result, financial evidence and the Genuine Student answers.
6.Complete any health check or character requirements.
7.Arrange accommodation and travel before your course starts.

0 of 7 done · ticks are saved in this browser only

Next steps

Sources

Written by CollegeMatcher in our own words from these official pages, checked on 20 October 2026. Dates change every year.