Number of admissions for tertiary courses drop in 2026 in Australia
Admissions centres across Australia have offered 265,046 undergraduate places for tertiary courses commencing in Semester 1, 2026, according to new data released by the Australasian Conference of Tertiary Admissions Centres (ACTAC). The figure is slightly lower than the 271,097 offers made at the same time last year, reflecting all offers up to and including each centre’s main offer rounds.
Australian tertiary admissions centres play a vital role in supporting diverse pathways to higher education. They process domestic undergraduate and postgraduate university courses, vocational education and training (VET) programs including TAFE and courses for international students. Each centre is also responsible for calculating the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for students completing senior secondary programs within its jurisdiction, ensuring a robust and nationally consistent measure of academic performance for university selection.
ACTAC Chair Teresa Tjia emphasised the strength and unity of the national admissions system. “Tertiary admissions centres work closely together to support student choice and mobility across Australia. Our collaboration ensures students can confidently use their ATAR and other pathways to access study opportunities wherever they choose to study,” she said.
Students who have received offers are encouraged to follow the instructions provided, including accepting and enrolling in their chosen courses. Those still waiting are reminded that offer rounds will continue through January and February. Prospective students can explore options for Semester 1, 2026 and beyond via the admissions centre websites while applications remain open.
Early data indicates that health-related courses remain the most popular, accounting for more than 22 per cent of all offers so far. Degrees in society and culture—which include law, arts, and psychology—follow closely at just over 21 per cent, with management, commerce, and sciences each making up 12.9 per cent of offers. Notably, engineering saw the largest proportional growth, rising by 0.6 per cent to comprise 8.9 per cent of total offers.
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