New Careers Practitioners Briefing July/August, 2013.

New Careers Practitioners BriefingJuly/August, 2013

Public and free resources

Accessing course information◦ Downloading course entries ◦ Printing course entries ◦ QR codes

CourseSearch and the short-listing

Understanding a course entry

Course codes and types ◦ International student definition ◦ New VET code structure

The course application ◦ An overview of the registration ◦ Payment ◦ The course application

CourseLink an overview

Special Entry Access Scheme◦ What is SEAS◦ Categories ◦ Evidence

Scholarships – general overview

Results and the ATAR release ◦ VCE student access of the ATAR◦ Advice about CT access for 2013◦ Protocols for IB schools to release

results to VTAC

Offers ◦ Main round ◦ Negotiated ◦ Supplementary

Key dates and stay up to date

All material in this presentation is copyrighted.

VTAC Website: the definitive resource for current information www.vtac.edu.au

CourseSearch and CourseLink

VTAC publications i.e. VTAC Guide 2014; ABC of Applying; Choice and VICTER◦ Printed book, available from newsagents (RRP: $12.00 incl.GST) ◦ Online information

Social media Stay up to date with timely information, provided when you need it by subscribing to one of the following: ◦ VTAC Blog - http://vtacmedia.wordpress.com◦ Facebook - Facebook.com/vtacguide ◦ Twitter @vtacguide


VTAC course information including course descriptions, prerequisites, extra requirements, majors etc can be accessed by:

◦ Downloading course entries to printor save to use offline on a device

◦ By using the QR code in the printed Guide to access course listings for individual institutions online

◦ By short-listing courses from CourseSearch and emailing the list


The download can be: Saved onto a smart device for use offline. Printed Step 1: Save the PDF to your deviceStep 2: Open the PDF in the relevant ‘books’

section i.e. iBooks for apple.

To print the VTAC Guide go to: ◦ Publications at the bottom of the VTAC Home page

◦ Open the relevant PDF section and select the most appropriate option


Using the print icon Using the print icon


Apple device optionsApple device options

Android device optionsAndroid device options

The old fashioned computer!!The old fashioned computer!!

A quick response code is a barcode that can be scanned and linked directly to websites.

The printed VTAC Guide includes individual QR codes for each institution (and its courses) and each chapter.

This means that complete course entries are at your smart device fingertips.


Users with smart devices are able to access complete course detail by scanning the institutional code in the VTAC

Guide. Step 1 Step 2

Step 3


The simple search

The advanced search

Choose search results i.e. Course name and/or subject name

Choose institution Choose Qualification type i.e. VET or HE qualifications Choose Area of interestChoose Application method

Creating a shortlist of courses and sending them to students, parents, teachers etc

A shortlist facility will also enable users to shortlist courses from CourseSearch and email the list or search

To shortlist a course. Select the course you are interested in.

VTAC heading: This heading is created for the VTAC Guide and CourseSearch only.

Qualification, title, length: The official title of the course and number of years to complete the course.


Campus, VTAC course code and fee-type: Only courses with applications through VTAC have VTAC course codes. These codes show which institution, campus, course and type of course fees you are applying for.

Check the application method.

Brief description about the course.

Major studies: Provide a broader picture of what the course is about. Should be used as a research tool. i.e. Journalism Prerequisites: Are compulsory – if a student doesn’t meet prerequisites then won’t be considered for the course.

Middle-band: Provides additional bonus to the ATAR – it can assist students whose ATAR is a bit lower than the required ATAR.

Selection mode: provides a broad overview of what is considered as part of the selection.

Extra requirements: are compulsory requirements that must be done, in addition to applying. Must be taken seriously.


VTAC Applications are submitted through

VTAC if the course entry states ‘Apply: Through VTAC’

Direct to institution If the course entry states ‘Apply:

Direct to institution’, prospective applicants must contact the institution to lodge a direct application for the course


must be holding or obtaining an Australian temporary resident/student visa and be:◦ a current student of a standard Australian Year 12 program or

International Baccalaureate in Australia or New Zealand

Codes ending in ‘1’ are government subsidised

Codes ending in ‘2’ are full fee

Codes ending in ‘3’ are for international students

Codes ending in ‘4’ are for courses where the fee is determined by the provider’

VET course codes all end in 4 – fee determined by provider. Nothing has changed for current year 12 students, under 20.

Key message to take back to students is: Year 12 students will be eligible for a government subsidised place in VET if they meet residency and are under 20 on 1 Jan 2014.


Register to set up a user account. Keep the VTAC ID and PIN safe. Don’t give it to anyone!!

Once registered applicants can log in and make a course application. They can also:

◦ Update personal details◦ Change preferences as many times as they like◦ Lodge a SEAS and scholarships application ◦ Refer to messages ◦ Pay the processing fee ◦ Email VTAC ◦ Get their ATAR (when released in December)◦ Get an offer (when released in January)

Identification: ◦ Students need to include their name and date of birth as

registered with VASS and on CourseLink. If different use what’s registered then change.

Citizenship type

Residential address ◦ Always use an Australian address – if students are going

overseas get them to check their messages from the message centre in the User account.

Include a four digit PIN Confirmation for students before submitting:

Demonstration screens will be available after 5 August from www.vtac.edu.au for: ◦ The registration process ◦ Course application ◦ SEAS application ◦ Scholarships application ◦ STAT bookings ◦ Personal statement

The SEAS application is activated once the course application has been submitted.

Can list up to 12 courses/institutions on one application

Always list them in the order you want to get into the course NOT the order you think you will get into the course

To add course preferences: Select institution and/or course or type in the course code.

To move a course on the preference list use the up/down buttons.

To delete a course use the x button.

Payment is online via Debit Visa or credit card or PayPal. Don’t need a PayPal account, can pay as a guest. Have until closing date to pay. Don’t pay, won’t be processed or be eligible for an offer or

receive an ATAR statement. Processing fees:

◦ $27.00 timely ◦ $91.00 late ◦ $116.00 very late


Applicants applyto institution (not VTAC)

Institution decides to makean offer or not

Institution can make early offerswhenever they choose

Need to apply directly to each course you’re interested in. So if you’re interested in 5 courses that state ‘Apply: Direct to institution’, you will need to submit 5 individual applications (one for each course)


An overview

Password protected Subject to strict privacy and Terms and Conditions Students have the right to withdraw permission Student data updated daily from 9 August Lost PIN function automated, no need to contact VTAC

when:◦ You have lost the password/PIN◦ When one of your students accidentally submit a request for

the password/PIN

There are two levels of access for CourseLink: ◦ Teacher access ◦ Student access

Teacher access is password protected and provides an opportunity to view:

Student data is a summary screen that lists a summary of all students from here you can: ◦ link to the individual’s file ◦ check enrolment status, student number, ATAR, residency status, application and

payment status◦ sort data by any of the headings ◦ download the file into an excel format

◦ To view an individual student’s profile select the surname – you will then have access to that student’s personal data including preferences, ATAR, calculation etc

This screen includes all of the student’s details and status The screen is then broken into sections:•Study program•ATAR calculation•Careers preferences, offers•Notes

•Student name •Student number•Date of birth•Gender•Mobile and email•Address•Course application status •Payment status •Permissions: offer in press; supplementary offer•ATAR (when it’s available) •Enrolment status (when it’s available)

The ATAR calculation will be available in December and you will be able to see the contribution of each study to a student’s ATAR. You access this by hitting the expansion tab for ATAR calculation.

If a student has applied for courses you will be able to see their preferences which will be updated on CourseLink daily from Friday 9 August. You will be able to see when and how often students change their preferences and whether they meet the prerequisite subject satisfaction.

Change of preference history: In this section, VTAC records each transaction. So when a student comes to you and says they haven’t been into their file, you can check to see if they have and prompt their memory.

Notes: This section is for your use

CourseLink tutorials are available from: http://www.vtac.edu.au/careers/demos.html

Tuesday 27 August Session 1 : 9.30am - 12.00noonSession 2: 1.00pm - 3.30pm

Thursday 29 August Session 3: 9.30am - 12.00noonSession 4: 1.00pm - 3.30pm

Location: VTAC 40 Park St, Sth

Melbourne

Offered to new Career Practitioners and attendance is by registration only!

4 half day sessions, over 2 days

Numbers are capped at 20 participants per session

An overview

Allows selection officers to grant special consideration to applicants for course entry whose education has been impacted by disadvantage

It is not a get out of jail free card or a guarantee of getting into a course

Key message is for students who have suffered long-term disadvantage to start making appointments, collecting supporting statements NOW! Don’t wait until applications open.

Students should get medical practitioners to:◦ Clearly outline the condition.◦ Include the timeline on how the patient has been impacted.

Evidence is the key.

Everyone is encouraged to answer yes to Category 1.


Category 1: Personal Information and Location Age Recognition as an Indigenous Australian Living or school postcode Under represented schools Gender

Category 2: Non-English speaking background

Category 3: Difficult circumstances

Category 4: Disadvantaged financial background

Category 5: Disability or medical condition

Category 6: SALT (La Trobe University), PPP (Victoria University) and REEP

schemes (University of Ballarat)


All of the categories are on one page and it will look something like this.

Applicants can fully edit their SEAS application until the deadline.


Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the disadvantage has impacted on their educational performance.

Students who have suffered long-term disadvantage must start preparing now!◦ Make appointments, collect supporting statements

◦ Don’t wait until the SEAS closing date it will be too late


Talk to students about the program

Encourage students to make appointments now and ensure supporting statements :◦ clearly outline the condition ◦ include the timeline and how this patient has been impacted

Students should ensure their own names are on Centrelink documents as well as the relationship of the third party.

Start educating other school teachers about preparation

If providing evidence you must be: ◦ familiar with the issue ◦ exposed to the educational impact

Evidence must: ◦ be brief, to the point, corroborate

the impact statement ◦ be tangible and clear about the

issue◦ provide a timeframe for the

disadvantage

Note: If this is the first time you’ve heard about the disadvantage you’re probably not the right person to write the statement of support

Last year students were disadvantaged by poor statements of support e.g. ◦ “Call me for more details” ◦ “The student has told me” ◦ “The school is aware of the circumstances” – if this is so, be

explicit! VTAC will not contact the school! ◦ Vague support i.e. not mentioning the circumstance ◦ Generic statements that didn’t differentiate between student

impact when a group is affected

“See scholarships” “See above” – referring to another category Blank impact statements

(assuming statement of support is sufficient) “Contact me for details” “Long winded”

Everyone is encouraged to answer yes to Category 1. ◦ Being proactive you can do this as a class exercise ◦ Expose students to the other categories

Tragedies in the last few days before SEAS closes are better handled by the VCAA exam allowance rather than SEAS: ◦ Using the VCAA process alleviates pressure for generic

statements ◦ Generic statements don’t help your students

Remember: It is easier to edit something that exists rather than create a new file.

Make sure you have plenty of time

Friends, close relatives or those in a close relationship cannot provide supporting statements.

Clear and concise statements are key

Bad, incomplete and generic statements disadvantage

Last minute rush – use the VCAA process

Remember: If this is the first time you’ve heard about the disadvantage you are probably not in the correct position to comment on the impact.


Encourage all students to apply for scholarships. There are scholarships through VTAC and direct to institutions.

They are not just for smart kids, there are lots of access and equity scholarships too.

While no-one is guaranteed a scholarship, we can guarantee that if students don’t apply, they won’t be considered.


Institutional Access and Equity Scholarships

Merit scholarships

Commonwealth Indigenous scholarships

Other scholarships not through VTAC

The scholarships application opens:9.00 am, Monday 5 August 2013 and closes at 5.00 pm, Friday 18 October 2013


An overview

• The ATAR: ▫Is not a score out of 100 it is a rank between 0.00

and 99.95

▫It is not the be all and end all of a person. It is a tool that: ▫Allows tertiary institutions to rank students▫Provide a level playing field for applicants who have

done different types of programs


▫ Is calculated by VTAC for tertiary entrance

▫ A 75.00 means that the student is in the top 25%

▫ Very few courses select only on the ATAR. Most courses look at a range of factors including: ▫Extra requirements ▫Middle-band bonuses ▫SEAS consideration and other bonus or special

consideration programs that students have applied for

To calculate the ATAR VTAC uses: ◦ English plus three other permissible scorable studies

(primary four) ◦ Plus up to two other

studies (5th and 6th increments)

Only one of the following can be used in the ATAR calculation:◦ English/English as an Additional Language (EAL)◦ Chinese (FL)/Chinese (SL)/Chinese (SL Advanced)◦ Indonesian (FL)/Indonesian (SL)◦ Japanese (FL)/Japanese (SL)◦ Korean (FL)/Korean (SL)◦ Mathematical Methods (CAS)/Mathematical Methods (CAS).

In each of the study areas of English, mathematics, history, Contemporary Australian studies, information technology, languages and music: ◦ at most two results can contribute to the primary four ◦ at most three results can contribute to the ATAR.

A legitimate one-year student is a student who has moved to Victoria to complete year 12 (VCE) and who the VCAA has exempted from Units 1 and 2.

A Victorian student who completed year 11 of the IB certificate in Victoria prior to transferring to year 12 of the VCE is not classified as a one-year VCE student.

VTAC does not determine this categorisation it is based on what is received from the VCAA.

Just because studies are scaled up – doesn’t mean a student will get a ‘good’ ATAR.

Students need to perform well in all studies to get a ‘good’ ATAR.

Sarah loves textiles, she got a 39 and was scaled down to a 37.

Chris was told that if he did specialist mathematics he would get a better ATAR because it is historically scaled up. Chris got a 15 that was scaled to a 19 in specialist mathematics

Which scaled subject score is a better contribution to the ATAR. The one scaled up? Or the one scaled down?

Protocols currently being reviewed Will be meeting with a reference group to develop a

protocol Will have strict rules in place if breaches of any type

occur Ignorance is no excuse and principals and their

nominee are responsible for the privacy of CourseLink!


The ATAR will be released to all eligible VCE students on Monday 16 December 2013 from 7am.

All students who are eligible to receive an ATAR, irrespective of whether or not they have applied, can access their ATAR online or via SMS.

Two ways to access the ATAR on that day: ◦ Internet at resultsandatar.vic.edu.au◦ SMS – must preregister for instructions go to

www.vtac.edu.au/sms◦ VTAC will be discussing the protocols for ATAR release to schools

at the upcoming briefing sessions.


Creating a fake ATAR is against the law Doctoring a screen shot or actual ATAR statement is

illegal If any forged documentation is used or presented as

being the actual result, it is fraud and is reported to the police.

What would you do if a student presents with an ATAR (usually with a family member) that is different to what is recorded on CourseLink?


Submit a results release form to Cardiff Cardiff will release the results to your school and VTAC in early

January Students can obtain their results from their IB co-ordinator in early

January. Only if:

◦ VTAC receives the results and ◦ the Victorian IB student has sat the GAT and ◦ the student has applied for courses through VTAC They will be eligible to receive a notional ATAR and statement.


• Change of preference opens on Monday 16 December 2013 at 11am.

• All students are able to change their course preferences up until 12noon Monday 23 December 2013.

• Institutional change of preference days, these are worth checking out (see December 2013 Bulletin).


Before changing preferences students should check: ◦ Last year’s selection data – don’t panic if the ATAR is slightly

lower, still put it down. Selection data fluctuates annually.

◦ Extra requirements to make sure they are complete

◦ Prerequisites – to make sure they meet them.


In a lot of courses you will see last year’s selection data.

This gives you a guide of the ATAR standard for last year. It is not prescriptive!!

The Clearly in ATAR is the point at or above which everyone with that ATAR or higher was made an offer.

The percentage below the clearly in tells you how many applicants got into the course with an ATAR lower the clearly in via: ◦ Bonuses◦ SEAS

An overview

If students do not pay their processing fee they won’t be considered for offers.

All offers are provisional and subject to accurate information being supplied by the applicant.

Students should: List their courses in the order they want to get into them, not the order

they think they will get into them Always accept an offer – do not wait for round two, you may miss out

completely Do not second guess the system. There is no guarantee of a

negotiated offer.

▫ Early round offers – for non-year 12 applicants ▫ International VCE▫ Main round offers – majority of offers to all applicants at any

preference for graduate entry teaching and undergraduate places.

▫ Round two offers – smaller number of offers – filling places ▫ After round 1:

Negotiated offer (for all applicants) Supplementary offers (for all applicants)

Accept the offer – there are no guarantees of a round two offer

If they get a round two offer – they can withdraw from their round one and accept/enrol in round two.

Students who receive an offer and don’t accept any: ◦ are not eligible for a supplementary offer◦ are eligible to submit a negotiated offer for a course not listed

on their preference list

Round 1 offer made – accept – still eligible for a higher preference in round two. Don’t wait!!!◦ If you accept an offer made through VTAC, can withdraw if get

a round two offer and get monies refunded Round 2 – about 3,000 offers made – no guarantees. After round 1:

◦ Can submit a negotiated offer for a course lower than one you’ve been offered or NOT listed on your course preferences.

◦ Can check your user account for the status of the negotiated offer.

• Can apply for a negotiated offer if its lower than one you’ve been offered or the course is not on your application.

• Always: • Ensure course requirements have been met• Check place availability with the course selection officer

and what additional documentation you may have to provide.

• Then complete the negotiated offer request in the VTAC user account

• Once you have received a negotiated offer, you are not eligible for any more offers. It is your new first preference!


Are only available to applicants who have not received any offers in round 1 or round 2.

Applicants must give VTAC permission to be eligible for consideration

Supplementary offers are processed weekly in February 2014 ◦ Applicants may receive two or more offers at the same time◦ Applicants will need to decide which offer to accept

• Always accept an offer you receive • Never wait to see if you get a better offer in round two • If you don’t accept any of the offers you have been

made, you are not eligible for a supplementary offer • Negotiated offers are no guarantee for an offer, unless

the institution accepts you


Application Open Close Fees

VTAC Guide 2014 Week beginning 29 July $12 rrpDownload: Free

Course applicationsTimelyLateVery Late

9am 5 August5pm 27 September5pm 8 November5pm 6 December

CY12 $27 NONY12 $41CY12 and NONY12 $91CY12 and NONY12 $116

SEAS 9am 5 August 5pm 8 October

Scholarships 9am 5 August 5pm 18 October

ATAR Release 7am 16 December

Change of Preference 9am 25 November 12 noon 23 December

Round 1 undergraduate offers

2pm 17 January 2014

Round 2 undergraduate offers

2pm 6 February 2014


Check out careers practitioners website for all resources to assist with counselling: www.vtac.edu.au/careers

Course updates, amendments and other information is updated weekly on the VTAC website.

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vtacmedia.wordpress.com vtacschools.wordpress.com for careers practitioners Facebook: facebook.com/vtacguide Twitter: @vtacguide


New Careers Practitioners Briefing July/August, 2013.

Documents

Transcript of New Careers Practitioners Briefing July/August, 2013.