University entry cut-offs may fall as demand hits new low

Year 12 applications through the University Admissions Centre (UAC) are at the lowest level in more than a decade as demand for higher education falls. The decline in applications means the Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) cut-off for some degrees could fall as students defer their studies or choose to work in the face of the increasing cost of living, writes Daniella White for The Sydney Morning Herald.

Despite a larger cohort of High School Certificate students, the number of all applications through the University Admissions Centre as of November dropped 2% compared to last year. The number of early offers through UAC fell about 10%.

Kim Paino, the general manager of marketing and engagement at UAC, said the high cost of living, stronger job market and increased costs of university degrees could all be contributing to the softening of demand. Paino said the slowdown in demand could have a knock-on effect for ATAR cut-offs. “The competitive courses will probably stay at very high cut-offs because demand has always far outstripped supply,” she said. “In some of the other courses ... the unis may have to reduce their cut-offs to fill the amount of spots they want,” she said.
Full report on The Sydney Morning Herald site