The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) is the online system and process students in NSW and ACT use to apply for university within NSW or ACT. Instead of applying to each uni separately, one UAC application covers them all. You simply rank your course preferences, and UAC does the rest.
If you're an NSW or ACT Year 12 student looking to study at Collarts Sydney, this guide walks you through the whole process, from setting up your account to accepting your offer.
Already completed Year 12? You can apply directly through the Collarts website. No UAC account needed.
The UAC application process has a clear sequence of steps. From registering your account through to enrolling with your chosen institution. Each stage has its own UAC deadline, so it pays to understand the full picture before you begin. Here's a breakdown of what to expect at each step.
Your UAC journey begins with creating an account at Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) . NSW HSC and ACT Year 12 applicants receive a UAC PIN via email from NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), which you'll use to get started.
During registration, you'll enter your personal details, confirm your Year 12 student information, and set up your Unique Student Identifier (USI), a government-issued reference number you'll need to enrol and access HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.
Applications for the next February/March intake opened each April, so the sooner you register, the more time you have to explore your options without pressure.
Once registered, you can select up to five UAC preferences and rank them from most to least preferred.
Your preference order matters: during the UAC university place offers, you will receive the highest-ranked course on your list that you are eligible for.
It's worth thinking carefully about your order. You want your most-wanted institution sitting at number one. You can update your UAC preferences as often as you like throughout the application period, so don't stress if you're not sure yet. Just lock them in before the UAC deadline.
Alongside your university preferences, you can select up to five course preferences and rank them from 1 (most preferred) to 5 (least preferred).
At Collarts, we don't use ATAR for entry; instead, we assess you on your passion and creative potential and pre-selection requirements.
When an offer round opens, UAC will notify you by email if you've received an offer. The Collarts team will follow up with a call to congratulate you and walk you through next steps.
Log in to your UAC account on the published offer date to view your offer. If you're happy with it, accept it and complete your enrolment form online the same day. Have your USI and Tax File Number (TFN) handy to finalise everything smoothly.
If life gets in the way or you'd simply like to take some time before starting your studies, many courses allow you to defer your offer. If you're considering this option, it's important to check the deferral conditions for your specific course, as these can vary.
Reach out to the Collarts Admissions team as early as possible if you're thinking about deferring; they can walk you through the process and make sure your place is secured for the following intake, or Collarts could see if there is a part-time or online option for you to get started
Once you've accepted your offer, the next step is enrolment, and the exact process will differ depending on your institution.
At Collarts, your Future Student Advisor will guide you through completing your enrolment forms, submitting any required documents, and getting set up ahead of your first day. The process is designed to be straightforward, but don't hesitate to get in touch with the Collarts team if you have questions at any stage.
Here's what you need to know specifically when submitting a UAC application for Collarts:
Current NSW and ACT Year 12 students can apply to Collarts Sydney campus through UAC.
If you are selecting multiple universities you can allow through UAC
Or you can apply directly to Collarts. You could also apply for the Priority Pass Early Entry Program.
Register at UAC using your HSC or ACT Year 12 student PIN (emailed to you by NESA in April).
Search for Collarts courses using UAC's Course Search and add your preferred Collarts course(s) to your UAC preferences.
Pay your UAC processing fee before the relevant UAC deadline to ensure your application is complete and eligible for the upcoming offer round.
Monitor your UAC account and email during offer rounds. Collarts will also call and email you directly if you receive an offer.
Accept your offer promptly on the published offer date and complete your enrolment form with your USI and Tax File Number ready.
The following Collarts undergraduate courses are available to NSW and ACT Year 12 students through UAC. Search for each course directly on UAC's Course Search to view entry requirements and add them to your UAC preferences.
Bachelor of 2D Animation
Bachelor of Design (Fashion & Sustainability)
Bachelor of Digital & Social Media
Bachelor of Graphic & Digital Design
Bachelor of Fashion Marketing (Branding & Communication)
Bachelor of Interior Design
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting)
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Stage Management)
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Writing & Directing)
Bachelor of Screen and Media
UAC runs on a strict calendar, with key deadlines and offer rounds spread across the year. The earlier you get your application in, the better. Not just to stay ahead of deadlines, but to lock in the lower early bird fee before 30 September 2026.
Stage | Key Dates | Details |
UAC Applications Open | From 8 April 2026 | Applications for UAC’s 2026–2027 domestic undergraduate admissions open on 8 April 2026 at 9:00 am (Sydney time). |
Early Bird Applications | 30 September 2026 | Submit and pay for your UAC application by this date to avoid the higher standard processing charge. |
Preference Changes | April - December 2026 | UAC sets separate preference-change deadlines before each offer round, so the exact date depends on the round you want to be considered in |
UAC Applications Close | October - December 2026 | Timely applications usually close in early October, with late and very late application deadlines extending into late October and early December. |
Trimester 1 offers | December 2026 to January 2027 | The first major offer round typically follows the release of HSC results and ATARs in late December and early January. Log in to your UAC account on the published offer date to view your offer. |
Visit the UAC Key Dates page.
If UAC is new to you, don't worry, your teachers and career counsellors will cover a lot of this ground throughout the year.
You create a UAC account, list up to five course preferences from participating institutions ranked in order of preference, and each institution then assesses your eligibility. UAC issues offers based on those assessments and your preference order.
Apply to multiple universities and institutions through a single UAC application; no need to fill in separate forms for each one.
Build a ranked list of up to five UAC preferences, giving you multiple opportunities to receive an offer in each round.
Revise your UAC preferences as often as you like throughout the selection period, free of charge.
Access scholarships, special entry schemes (such as the Schools Recommendation Scheme and Educational Access Scheme), and course-specific selection requirements all within the one UAC application.
Receive fair, transparent offers based on your eligibility and preference order. UAC's application process means no institution can jump the queue.
Choosing your UAC preferences is one of the most important parts of your application, but it doesn't need to be stressful. You can list up to five course preferences from any participating institution, and you rank them from most preferred (1) to least preferred (5).
UAC will offer you the highest-ranked course on your list that you are eligible for in each round, so it's worth making sure your number one really is your top choice.
Think about which course and institution excites you most and put it first, then work down from there. Including a mix of preferences, including a course where you feel confident about your eligibility, is a sensible approach.
If you're not sure which Collarts course to list or how to rank it, our Course Advisors are here to help.
Not sure where to start? UAC's Course Compass tool helps you discover courses based on your ATAR and interests. At Collarts, we don’t require an ATAR as we base your application on passion and your creative potential. See the Collarts admission requirements to understand any audition or creative submission needs.
You can change your UAC preferences as often as you like during the application period, right up until the published preference closing deadline for each offer round. These deadlines are staggered across the year, so always check UAC Key Dates to know the exact UAC deadline for the round you're targeting.
Once a preference deadline passes, your UAC preferences are locked so UAC can process applications and release offers. After offers are issued, change of preference opens again for the next round. It's a good habit to log in and review your preferences regularly throughout the year, especially after receiving a conditional offer or as your plans evolve.
When do UAC offers come out? UAC releases offers on specific published dates throughout the year. Most Timester 1 offers come out in December, after HSC results and ATARs are released, with additional rounds running into January.
On offer round days, UAC will send you an email notification if you've received an offer, and a member of the Collarts team will follow up with a call to congratulate you and walk you through next steps.
You will receive a maximum of one offer per institution per round for the highest-ranked course on your UAC preferences list that you are eligible for. This is why preference order matters: always keep your most-wanted course at the top.
Accepting an offer is straightforward:
Log in to your UAC account on the offer date, review your offer, and accept it online
Have your USI and Tax File Number ready to finalise your enrolment.
Importantly, accepting an offer doesn't permanently commit you to that course. If you receive a better offer in a later round, you can still take it up. So it's worth accepting a good offer when it comes; it secures your spot while you wait to see what else may come your way.
A processing charge applies once you register and pay for your UAC application. For 2026–2027 undergraduate domestic applications, the fees are:
Early bird fee: $82 AUD. (If you apply and pay by the UAC deadline of 11:59pm on 30 September 2026.)
Standard fee: $215 AUD. (For applications submitted from 1 October 2026 onwards.)
So when is UAC due? For the best value, your UAC application is due by 30 September 2026. After that UAC deadline passes, the standard fee applies. Your application is not complete until payment has been received, so don't leave it until the last minute.
The good news: submitting early doesn't lock in your preferences. You can continue to change your UAC preferences free of charge after submitting. Applying early simply means you lock in the lower fee while keeping all your options open.
Note that UAC fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred between admissions periods. For a full breakdown of all charges, visit here.
You can apply for undergraduate study through UAC if you are:
An Australian or New Zealand citizen
A permanent resident of Australia
The holder of an Australian permanent resident humanitarian visa
You may also submit a UAC application as an international student if you have completed or are currently completing one of the following qualifications in 2026:
An Australian Year 12 qualification (including the NSW HSC or ACT Senior Secondary Certificate) in or outside Australia
An International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
A New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3
NSW and ACT Year 12 students should apply through UAC to study at Collarts Sydney campus. Students who fall outside these categories, or who have already completed Year 12, can apply directly through the Collarts website.
An early conditional program allows you to receive an early conditional offer and, if you include the chosen university and course in your top preferences, you’ll secure your place. This process allows the university to see your potential and gives you peace of mind to know your future place is conditionally locked in.
The Collarts Priority Pass: Early Entry Program is designed to assess your creative potential and ensure the course is right for you. Secure your place and, if you preference your chosen Collarts course, Collarts will offer you a place to study.
For this process, you still need to go through the same UAC steps, though you also need to complete a short and free application for the Early Entry Program.