1. Research courses you'd like to do/ take. You can get more information by Googling areas, courses and institutes you like, by using
VTAC CourseSearch and by attending Open Days and Info Sessions for your desired institutes.
Here's a list of Virtual Open Days for 2020. Note: You can start this well before Year 12. The earlier you think about this, the longer you have to research.
2. Make a VTAC account when open. (It usually opens early August each year for the next year e.g. if you apply now, you'll likely start your course in March 2021.) You should still make an account in you wish to take a gap year or defer, but intend to study the following year e.g. 2022 start.
3. Fill out the information. The account will require a bunch of personal information so they can (a) give you a course offer and (b) give you all the special consideration, scholarships and eligible programs you are eligible for. Be sure to apply for Category 1 for SEAS, and fill out scholarship and SEAS statements.
4. Make sure you pay the fee (it's about $41 now) before the due date (September 30 5pm). Dates and fees can be found
here.
5. Make sure you fill in your preferences and order them the way you want. You can have up to 8 and it's generally recommended that if you intend to go to uni in Victoria to have a few preferences to ensure you have a back up in case things go pear-shaped.
Aaron's thread on VTAC media highlights why having more than one preference and their order is important. At the beginning, just have some courses down rather than worry about order, as this can be changed as many times as you like later, as long as it's before the closing date for each round.
6. Not all courses are equal - there's some that you'll need to apply earlier, do additional things e.g. a test, interview, performance, portfolio, and/or closer earlier. Joseph41's got a list of early closing courses
here. Make sure that you also check out when these additional things are due! The worst thing is to be caught out and miss a course you really wanted to study!
7. Wait. You can change your preferences if you like while you do.
8. ATARs will come out on December 30.
9. On January 14, you might receive an offer for a course.