Early Offer Program

If you’re in Year 12 and graduating this year, you may be able to receive an early offer for a course. To participate in JCU’s Early Offer Program work with your school on a recommendation and list JCU as your first preference in QTAC when applications open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Talk to your school Guidance Officer/Careers Advisor about your intent to study at James Cook University next year and that you'd like to be considered for the Early Offer Program.

Once you have submitted your QTAC application, they can assist you with completion of the Nomination Form to provide to your school for consideration.

Applicants will need to submit their QTAC application before applying for an Early Offer, as they will need to include their QTAC ID on their Nomination Form.

Your school will then submit a recommendation based on your academic performance, motivation, talents, passion and capabilities to demonstrate your likelihood of success at university.

You'll be able to get the applications and administrative requirements out of the way right now!

You'll also have access to JCU’s support services earlier, ensuring you have a seamless transition to university life.

Early offers are available for most campus locations in Australia. This includes Brisbane, Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa and Townsville. Be sure to have a look at the course information to see if your preferred course is offered near you.

QTAC will send out offers most Fridays, once applications have been submitted to JCU and finalised, with the first release date to be confirmed later this year.

To reduce distractions for students, offers will not be made during the Year 12 external examination period.

Yes, if you plan to apply for the Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Nursing Science – Bachelor of Midwifery, or Bachelor of Veterinary Science, you can still receive an early offer for another course.

To do so:

  1. Once QTAC applications open on the 1 August, 2024, complete your Early Offer Nomination Form, nominating a course that is included in the Early Offer Program and is listed as your first preference in QTAC.
  2. Receive your Early Offer email from JCU after your school has submitted the Nomination Form.
  3. After you receive your early offer from QTAC, conditionally accept this offer and then reorder your QTAC preferences to list any excluded courses you wish to apply for as your highest preferences. By selecting a conditional response to your early offer, you indicate that you would like to be considered for a higher preference.

Any domestic student who is currently undertaking Year 12 or the International Baccalaureate qualification in Australia can apply.

International students completing Year 12 in Australia can apply directly to JCU at any time to be considered for a conditional offer.

Information for Schools

QTAC applications will open on 1 August.

QTAC offer dates for 2024 are the 6 September, 20 September, 4 October and the 18 October.

JCU will accept Student Nomination Forms until 11 October.

Download the Student Nomination Form and forward to admissions@jcu.edu.au once 2024 nominations open.

The nomination form will be available for schools to download on the 1st of August when nominations open.

Schools are encouraged to adopt a process which fits with their academic and career programs. JCU is not prescriptive in how this assessment process is managed within schools.

Schools will be able to recommend their students for an Early Offer. If the student doesn’t meet the entry requirements and the recommendation is for the student to use one of the pathways into a Bachelor Degree, we will work with the student to determine the best pathway.

Download the Information for Schools Guide (PDF, 406 KB).

No, there is no limit.

No, registration is not required for schools to participate. We will accept applications from Year 12 students from all schools.