1136.0 - A Directory of Education and Training Statistics, 2009  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/03/2009   
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UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS, OFFERS AND ACCEPTANCES

CONTACT


Higher Education Group
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
Telephone (02) 6219 3503
Email
elizabeth.martin@deewr.gov.au
Website
www.deewr.gov.au

DESCRIPTION


This entry describes the initial publication of data about unmet demand, which is being expanded to comprise a new data collection. The publication ‘Undergraduate Applications, Offers and Acceptances', released in 2008, contains statistics relating to the number of applicants for first-year undergraduate study at university, the number of offers received and the number of offers accepted. The report is produced by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), in collaboration with the six state Tertiary Admissions Centres (TACs). From 2009, the report will draw on the newly established University Applicants and Offers Collection. From 2010, information on the number of direct undergraduate applications to universities will be available as part of the new data collection.


The publication includes statistics on:

  • Number of applicants
  • Number of offers made
  • Number of offers accepted
  • Level of unmet demand.

It also contains analysis of trends in key fields identified as areas of skill shortage; a review of offer and acceptance rates by key applicant demographics; and information on factors affecting current and future demand.

Scope


Domestic applicants for admission to the first semester of undergraduate university study in the reference year. Prior to 2009, data was limited to those who meet certain eligibility criteria. Year 12 applicants are considered “eligible” if their Year 12 studies give them a Tertiary Entrance Score, resulting in an Interstate Transfer Index exceeding a declared minimum score (56.2, in 2008). All “Other” applicants (non-Year 12 applicants) are considered eligible for undergraduate university courses. This will no longer be the case from 2009 onwards which will also report on the total number of applications.


Reference Period

September of the year prior, to March of the reference year.

Frequency of Collection


Annual

Method of Collection

Data from the application and offer processes are provided to DEEWR by the six TACs. While each state has its own TAC, applications and offers for the ACT are handled by the NSW TAC; and South Australia provides that service for the NT. From 2010 onwards, higher education providers will supply DEEWR with information on direct applications.

DISSEMINATION

Release schedule


May of the reference year.

Publications

Undergraduate Applications, Offers and Acceptances, 2008. DEEWR, Canberra, freely available from the DEEWR website.

Geography


Information is available for Australia and the six TACs. Analysis by metropolitan and non-metropolitan from 2009.


Data Service

A separate Excel file of the Appendix tables is available on the DEEWR website. Other data is available on request.

DATA ITEMS


Age (20 or younger, 21 years or older)
Sex
Indigenous status
State (ACT within NSW; NT within SA.)
Applicant type (Year 12, Non-Year 12)
Tertiary Entrance Score of Year 12 Applicant (the 'Interstate Transfer Index')
Field of education
Preference level of course
Number of Preferences
Applications
Offers of places
Acceptances of Offers
Basis of admission
Rejections of Offers
Unmet Demand for places

From 2009:

Age (19 and under, 20 to 24 years, 25 and over; and subcategory 16 and under)
Region (metropolitan, regional)
Prior highest educational participation (including participation in VET)
Socio-Economic Status (based on SEIFA IEO)

Historical Data

Time series are only available back to 2001 due to significant changes in the data collection. Breaks in some time series will occur in 2009 due to standardisation of data elements and changes in definitions.