Australian College of the Arts (COLLARTS)
Admission criteria and entry schemes
At Collarts, we value creativity, passion, and potential. That's why we do not require an ATAR for entry.
No matter where you're at now or where you want to be, we're here to support you every step of your journey. Because creativity isn't a number and neither are you.
Undergraduate applicants
Applicants who have completed Year 12, or equivalent Australian or international qualification, are eligible to apply for entry.
Collarts courses do not have an ATAR requirement. Suitability is assessed via an entry conversation.
Entry requirements
- Completion of Year 12 or equivalent Australian or international qualification,
- Successful Entry Conversation with a Collarts Future Student Advisor
- Submission of a creative submission or folio relevant to your chosen course.
Please note, an additional audition is required for Performing Arts (Acting, Stage Management and Writing & Directing) courses.
Auditions are run on set days and places are limited, so we recommend booking your audition as soon as you can. Speak to a member of our Admissions team to find out when the next auditions are available and secure your place.
For any questions, contact our Future Student Advisors: call 1300 818 777 or email admissions@collarts.edu.au
Find out more about Collarts auditions
Other admission options
Schools Recommendation Scheme
Collarts participates in the Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS), which allows current Year 12 students to receive early offers of admission. SRS aim to assist access to higher education using a wide range of selection criteria other than (or in addition to) the ATAR. These include school recommendations and senior secondary studies.
There are no fees to apply for SRS, but you will be required to pay a processing fee when you apply for undergraduate admission through UAC.
We may use one or more of these criteria when considering your application:
- your Year 11 studies
- your school’s ratings.
SRS is available for all Collarts courses; however, prerequisites and additional selection criteria may apply. We may limit the number of SRS offers made in some courses.
Collarts Priority Pass: Early Entry Program
Collarts Priority Pass, our Early Entry Program, allows driven Year 12 students to secure their place before their Year 12 results are released.
With Collarts Priority Pass, you can:
- apply in Year 12 and secure your spot early – no need to wait for results
- be admitted to Collarts based on an entry conversation, audition or portfolio
- be recognised for your potential and creativity
- reduce end-of-year stress by locking in your creative future early
- join a community that celebrates originality, not just academic scores.
Applicants who have successfully completed at least half of the first year of study (0.5 EFTSL) of a higher education diploma, associate degree, bachelor degree or higher, or an equivalent qualification overseas, will be eligible to apply for entry.
There is no minimum GPA (grade point average) requirement.
Please note, an additional audition is required for Performing Arts (Acting, Stage Management and Writing & Directing) courses.
Auditions are run on set days and places are limited, so we recommend booking your audition as soon as you can. Speak to a member of our Admissions team to find out when the next auditions are available and secure your place.
Contact a Future Student Advisor for any questions at 1300 818 777 (option 1) or email admissions@collarts.edu.au.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is designed to recognise and acknowledge current knowledge, skills, attributes that students may have gained through previous tertiary study. Collarts will grant course credit in Recognition of Prior Learning if you meet the requirements set by the college. The maximum number of units for which exemption may be granted is 50 per cent.
More information about Recognition of Prion Learning (RPL) or Experience (RPE) at Collarts
Applicants who have successfully completed a VET Certificate III qualification, or an equivalent qualification overseas, will be eligible to apply for entry to a Diploma course. Students may then use successful completion of the Diploma as entry for the Bachelor degree.
Applicants who have successfully completed a VET Certificate IV or higher qualification, or an equivalent qualification overseas, will be eligible to apply for entry to a Bachelor course.
Please note, an additional audition is required for Performing Arts (Acting, Stage Management and Writing & Directing) courses.
Auditions are run on set days and places are limited, so we recommend booking your audition as soon as you can. Speak to a member of our Admissions team to find out when the next auditions are available and secure your place.
Contact a Future Student Advisor for any questions at 1300 818 777 (option 1) or email admissions@collarts.edu.au.
Find out more about applying and auditions
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is designed to recognise and acknowledge current knowledge, skills, attributes that students may have gained through previous tertiary study. Collarts will grant course credit in Recognition of Prior Learning if you meet the requirements set by the college. The maximum number of units for which exemption may be granted is 50 per cent.
More information about Recognition of Prion Learning (RPL) or Experience (RPE) at Collarts
Mature-aged or non-school leaver applicants may be admitted based on employment experience and/or an interview process. You are encouraged to apply and contact Collarts to find out how you can enter into a program.
Applicants who do not meet the formal entry requirements may be considered on a case by case basis.
Please note, an additional audition is required for Performing Arts (Acting, Stage Management and Writing & Directing) courses.
Auditions are run on set days and places are limited, so we recommend booking your audition as soon as you can. Speak to a member of our Admissions team to find out when the next auditions are available and secure your place.
Contact a Future Student Advisor for any questions at 1300 818 777 (option 1) or email admissions@collarts.edu.au.
Find out more about Collarts auditions
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is designed to recognise and acknowledge current knowledge, skills, attributes that students may have gained through previous tertiary study. Collarts will grant course credit in Recognition of Prior Learning if you meet the requirements set by the college. The maximum number of units for which exemption may be granted is 50 per cent.
More information about Recognition of Prion Learning (RPL) or Experience (RPE) at Collarts
Collarts supports and encourages applications from within the First Nations community. We are committed to providing a safe and inclusive space for all of our students. We understand that there is inequality in education opportunities for First Nations people and are working to better ourselves and our industry to create an equitable education sector.
At the time of your application, if you would like to identify as a First Nations person, depending on your circumstances, we may be able to provide specific study support once enrolled.
Find out more about Collarts Equity Scholarships.
Some courses select applicants based on additional selection criteria such as portfolio of work, or audition, and an entry conversation. Additional selection criteria can be found in the course descriptions available through UAC's course search.
Collarts recognises that applicants may have faced a range of circumstances that diminish their ability to demonstrate their full potential because of one or more of the following factors:
- difficult circumstances that affected their study
- personal factors such as age, living or school location, under-representation of a gender in a course or field of study, recognition as a First Nations person, being LGBTIQA+, being from a non-English speaking background, or being the first in the family to attend tertiary study
- disadvantaged financial background
- disability or medical condition.
Applicants who have faced one or more of the factors listed above are encouraged to apply for entry and provide a statement outlining their request for special consideration. Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Note: This list is not exhaustive and serves as examples of factors that may be considered.
Postgraduate applicants
There are no wrong answers and no cookie-cutter molds to fit into at Collarts. We're all about celebrating diversity, individuality, and the kaleidoscope of creativity that makes each applicant unique.
Through the application process, we'd love to get to know you better. We can chat about your current role, why you’re applying at Collarts, what you hope to get out of the course and the contribution you want to make.
Need help?
Contact a Future Student Advisor for any questions at 1300 818 777 or email admissions@collarts.edu.au.
General information for Australian College of the Arts (COLLARTS)
