National Overview of 2026 University Undergraduate Offers

Australian tertiary admissions centres have collectively issued 265,046 undergraduate offers for semester 1, 2026, marking a slight decline from the 271,097 offers made for the previous year. This data, compiled by the Australasian Conference of Tertiary Admissions Centres (ACTAC), reflects applications processed through key bodies including the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC), Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC), South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC), and Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC) for Western Australia. Despite the overall dip, certain fields stand out prominently, with health-related programs securing the top position nationwide.

Breaking down the offers by field of study reveals a clear hierarchy. Health courses captured more than 22 percent of all offers, underscoring their enduring appeal among prospective students. Close behind, society and culture fields—encompassing law, arts, psychology, and social work—accounted for over 21 percent. Management and commerce followed at 12.9 percent, tied with natural and physical sciences. Engineering saw a notable uptick to 8.9 percent, while information technology (IT) courses languished below 3 percent, or precisely 2.9 percent.

• Health: >22% of total offers
• Society & Culture: >21%
• Management & Commerce: 12.9%
• Natural & Physical Sciences: 12.9%
• Engineering: 8.9% (up 0.6 percentage points from 2025)
• IT: 2.9% (down 0.7 percentage points)

These figures highlight a stable yet evolving landscape in Australian higher education preferences, influenced by job market dynamics, societal needs, and post-pandemic shifts.

Decoding the Surge in Health Course Preferences

Health courses' dominance in the 2026 offer rounds is no anomaly; it builds on a trajectory accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which thrust healthcare workers into the spotlight and exposed systemic vulnerabilities. Students cite robust career pathways, job security, and high demand as primary motivators. Australia's ageing population—projected to see one in five citizens over 65 by 2030—amplifies this trend, fueling needs for nurses, physiotherapists, and allied health professionals.

Job projections from Jobs and Skills Australia reinforce this choice: the healthcare and social assistance sector is expected to grow by 28 percent over the next decade, outpacing most industries. Physiotherapy, in particular, tops single-occupation growth at 33.6 percent. Over 65 percent of Year 12 students in New South Wales and the ACT now prioritize courses aligned with employment outcomes, per UAC surveys.

Popular health subfields include nursing, medicine, biomedical science, exercise physiology, and occupational therapy. Universities like the University of Sydney, Monash University, and the University of Queensland report oversubscribed intakes, with Bachelor of Nursing programs often filling via first-preference applications.

Spotlight on Nursing and Allied Health: The Powerhouses of Health Offers

Nursing degrees lead the charge within health, consistently ranking among the top individual courses across admissions centres. In Queensland's QTAC January offer round, health-related offers totalled 5,865, far outpacing others. Similarly, UAC data shows nursing alongside medicine/medical science as flagships.

Allied health—encompassing physiotherapy, speech pathology, and paramedicine—also thrives. These programs appeal due to hands-on training, regional placements, and graduate employability rates exceeding 90 percent within four months. For instance, La Trobe University celebrated record offers in health fields like Sport and Exercise Science and Biomedicine for 2026.

ABC News details the national breakdown, highlighting how these choices address chronic workforce shortages, with Australia facing a projected shortfall of 100,000 nurses by 2025— a gap persisting into 2026.

• Bachelor of Nursing: High ATAR cut-offs (e.g., 90+ at top unis), but pathways via diplomas exist
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy: 33.6% job growth projected
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science: Gateway to medicine

Stakeholders, including hospital networks, applaud this shift, as it promises to bolster public health infrastructure amid rising chronic disease prevalence.

The IT Decline: A Concerning Trend Amid Tech Boom

Contrasting health's ascent, IT courses—including computer science, software engineering, and cybersecurity—have plummeted to under 3 percent of offers nationally, down 0.7 percentage points from 2025. In Victoria, VTAC applications for IT dropped a stark 17.3 percent. UAC first preferences fell from 4.0 percent in 2024 to 3.4 percent for 2026.

Why the disconnect? Experts suggest students favour micro-credentials, TAFE diplomas, or IT majors embedded in business/engineering degrees over standalone IT bachelor's. Fears of AI automation may deter some, while others pursue bootcamps for quicker entry into high-paying roles. Yet, Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts 25 percent growth for IT professionals, with cybersecurity exploding.

Teresa Tjia, ACTAC Convenor, warns: "Given the developments in AI and cybersecurity... it's an area which needs to be monitored." Universities like RMIT and UNSW are innovating with AI-integrated IT programs to reverse the slide.

State-by-State Insights into 2026 Preferences

Preferences vary regionally, reflecting local economies and demographics. In NSW/ACT (UAC: 88,128 offers), health commands 26.6 percent of first preferences, up from 25.8 percent. Queensland (QTAC: 45,977 offers) mirrors this, with health dominating January rounds. Victoria (VTAC: 65,156 offers) sees health as the top choice post-second round, despite IT's sharp fall. South Australia/NT (SATAC: 31,186) and WA (TISC: 16,956) align nationally.

For detailed state data, check UAC's trending fields report.

Engineering's Rise and Other Notable Shifts

Engineering bucked declines with an 8.9 percent share, up 0.6 points, driven by infrastructure booms and renewable energy demands. Creative arts and education saw minor fluctuations, while sciences held steady. These shifts signal students' attunement to diversified job markets beyond pure tech.

University Strategies to Meet Student Demand

Australian universities are adapting swiftly. The University of Queensland received 4,311 QTAC first-preference offers, emphasising health leadership. Adelaide University reports strong demand for health training programs. Flexible options like online nursing bridges and regional allied health hubs address access barriers.Explore opportunities in Australian states via AcademicJobs.com.

Bridging Education and Employment: Market Implications

Health's popularity aligns perfectly with shortages, but IT's dip risks skills gaps in AI/cybersecurity. Barney Glover stresses AI literacy for all graduates. Aspiring professionals should consider higher ed jobs in health or upskill in tech via targeted paths. Sectors like healthcare will absorb graduates rapidly, with median nursing salaries around AUD 85,000 rising with experience.

Practical Advice for Future Students

Year 12s and career changers: Research ATARs via Rate My Course, apply early through state centres, and leverage scholarships. For health, volunteer in aged care; for IT, build portfolios. Career advice resources on AcademicJobs.com offer step-by-step guidance, from CVs to interviews.

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash

• Step 1: Assess ATAR/eligibility via QTAC/UAC portals
• Step 2: Prioritise preferences based on job data
• Step 3: Prepare for interviews (common in health)
• Step 4: Explore scholarships for support

Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead for 2027 and Beyond

Expect health's reign to continue amid demographic pressures, with IT rebounding via specialised AI/cyber programs. Universities will integrate tech across curricula. Students eyeing university jobs or faculty roles should align with these trends. Monitor ACTAC updates for evolutions.

In conclusion, 2026 offers affirm health as the bedrock of Australian higher education choices. For jobs, advice, or professor ratings, visit Rate My Professor, Higher Ed Jobs, and Higher Ed Career Advice. Post a job to connect with talent.