Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: TISC recommends you provide an email address, why?
A:
TISC strongly recommends that you provide your email address. TISC uses email for both automatic and manual communication in order
to respond to users in a timely manner. Below are some of TISC's services which utilise email:
If you have already registered and would like to update your email address, you may do so from the 'Update Contact Details' link under 'Registered User Functions' on the left hand menu.
Q: How can I change my contact details online?
A: You need to login to our website and go to ‘Registered User Functions’. From this point, you can amend all contact details. If you have paid for your application online, your contact details (and preferences) can be changed straight away, but if you have paid for your application through the mail, or by credit card over the phone, or in person at TISC, there is a delay until your payment is processed before you can make any changes. Only contact details and preferences can be changed online – all other application information is locked and you need to download an Application Changes Form from our website and lodge it with TISC. TISC staff will then make the required changes on your behalf.
Q: How can I change my password?
A: You need to login and go to ‘Registered User Functions’. From this point, follow the prompts to change your password.
Q: How can I change the qualifications I have stated in my application online?
A: If you have not yet ‘declared’ your application online, you can login again and amend the details online. If you have declared your application, you need to lodge the Application Changes Form which you can download from this website. We are unable to process any changes until your application fee has been paid and your application becomes active (once your payment is processed).
Q: How do I change my preferences?
A: Login to our website and go to ‘View/Change Course Preferences’. Follow the prompts. At the end of the process, a transaction number is issued onscreen to confirm your changes. Remember to check closing dates as these may impact on the preference changes you intend to make.
topQ: What documents do I need to send?
A: Your application coversheet will advise you what you need to submit and what TISC can obtain electronically on your behalf.
If you have changed your name and some of your qualifications are in a different name, you will be asked to submit proof of name change (see Previous surname/family name). If you do not have the official name change documentation (marriage certificate or change of name certificate), you need to submit a statutory declaration.
If you are asked to send proof of academic qualifications, you need to send both your academic record (academic transcript showing units studied and grades obtained) and proof of course completion (certificate showing the course was formally completed). If your qualifications are in a language other than English, you need to submit the results/certificates you have, in the original language and also an English translation. Translations need to be done by a qualified NAATI translator in Australia or a qualified government translator if you are overseas (see ‘Overseas documents’).
Some courses require you to send a personal statement. You can check whether or not you need to send a personal statement by clicking on ‘Application – Personal Statements’ under ‘Online Application Enter/Update’.
Q: What is a personal statement?
A: A personal statement is a written statement from you which may or may not need to address certain criteria. Personal statements are required for some courses. All personal statements need to be signed by the applicant. You can find information on personal statements in general under the ‘Universities section’. There is further information in Personal Statements under ‘Online Application Enter/Update’.
Q: Can I send in photocopies of my documents?
A: Yes, as long as you have had the copies certified correctly as true copies (see Acceptable forms of documents and Certification of documents).
A: TISC does not accept emailed documentation (see Acceptable forms of documents).
Q: I can’t send my documents within the time limit stipulated on my coversheet. What can I do?
A: You must send your documentation as soon as possible. The deadlines TISC specifies are to allow the timely processing of your application by TISC and the universities. Any delay in receiving all your documents may lead to a delay in processing your application.
Q: I can’t find my original documents. What should I do?
A: Results from many Australian educational institutions are available electronically to TISC. Check your application coversheet to find out if this applies to your qualifications. If the documents are listed under ‘TISC will collect the following qualifications’, then TISC will request an electronic file from the institution in question. Note that such institutions will not release your results if any monies are owing (ie amenities fees, library fines, etc).
If TISC is not able to retrieve your results, contact the provider of the qualification, who will either send you replacement documentation (usually for a fee), or who may agree to send your results direct to TISC.
For proof of name change, if the name change was made in Australia , you can contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in the relevant state for replacement documentation. If you cannot obtain proof of name change documentation, a statutory declaration is acceptable.
If you don’t submit the documentation requested to prove completion of a qualification, the qualification may be ignored by the university.
Q: I deferred a place last year. Do I need to send in my deferral letter? There is nothing listed on my application coversheet.
Q: Yes, you should send your deferral letter. Our online application system does not distinguish between new applicants and deferred applicants, and receipt of your deferral letter tells TISC that you are applying for a deferred place. If you can’t find your deferral letter, forward a short note advising that you are applying for a deferred place.
Q: I won’t get my second semester results until late January, after the specified closing date for receipt of documents. What can I do?
A: You must forward your academic transcript as soon as possible. Ask your institution to fax your results direct to TISC. TISC will accept a fax of your results direct from the educational institution (not from you). The specified closing date is to guarantee inclusion of your results in time for main round offers. TISC will endeavour to process your results and forward them to the universities as quickly as possible, but can not guarantee their inclusion in main round offers if they are received after the specified closing date.
Q: Does TISC return original documents?
A: TISC will return all original documents in a sturdy envelope to your notification address. In special circumstances, we will return documents via registered post if requested.
Q: Do I need to send in my application coversheet with my documents?
A: Yes, you need to send your application coversheet with any documents you submit to TISC.
Q: I am a temporary resident. Can I apply via TISC?
A: No. You are considered by the universities as an international student and need to apply direct to the university’s international office. TISC is authorised to accept applications only from Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and Australian permanent residents (see Who should apply through TISC?).
Q: Am I eligible for the course I have applied for?
A: Eligibility for a place in a course is not assessed by TISC, but by the universities. To check whether your current qualifications make you eligible for entry into a course, you should contact the Admissions office of the university you wish to attend. If you are ineligible for entry at present, Admissions staff may also be able to advise you on a pathway to follow to gain admission in the future.
Q: I am completing my ‘A’ Levels. How are they assessed in WA?
A: Each university will assess your 'A' levels in a slightly different way. You should discuss your ‘A’ Level results with the Admissions office of the university you wish to apply for. The university will also be able to advise you how they might assess any Advanced Subsidiary (AS) results you have.
Q: I am completing the International Baccalaureate (IB). How will my results be assessed?
A: IB results from 1996 onwards can be converted to an equivalent WA Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER) by TISC. Your IB score (including bonus points) listed on your Diploma is converted using a conversion table which varies from year to year. TISC will convert your IB score even if your Diploma has not been awarded, but Western Australian universities generally require completion of the Diploma. If you have no total score on your Diploma, TISC cannot convert your IB results and you should discuss your options with the Admissions Office of the university you wish to apply to. Results from earlier than 1996 are assessed by the universities individually.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Q: How do I apply to sit the test?
A: You can download STAT Booking Form from downloads page (when available) or phone TISC on 9318 8000 to have a form posted to you. Mail the completed form and booking fee to TISC.
Q: Can I choose the session date?
A: TISC only accepts STAT bookings for the next available test session. You can choose your session by waiting until the test date that you wish to sit becomes the next session. There are closing times for mail or personal bookings for STAT sessions, unless the session fills earlier (see next question).
A: Postal bookings (including faxed bookings) close five working days before the session date, eg Friday 25 April for test on Saturday 3 May. In-person bookings close at 12 noon one working day (ie Thursday for a Saturday test) before the session date, providing that session is not full. If the test session is booked out earlier, TISC will book you into the next available session. Note the last metropolitan session for which the results can be guaranteed to be available for main round offers is 29 November. The last session for the 2008 STAT year is 3 January 2009.
Q: When will I get my STAT results?
A: You should receive your STAT results approximately three to four weeks after the test date.
Q: Can I get my STAT results online?
A: STAT results are only available by post.
Q: Can I apply to university before sitting STAT?
A: Yes. Wait until the STAT session you want is open if you want to, but apply for university before the September closing date if you can. There is a late fee and it will cost you more if you apply for university after this date. Indicate your intention to sit STAT and TISC will match your STAT results with your application after you have sat. See also 'When do Bookings close?' .
Q: Are there sample questions available online?
A: The Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER) offers some sample questions on its website. Click on the link above to enter ACER's website. You can also buy the Red Sample Question Booklet from TISC for $20. This booklet shows the types of questions you might expect in the test. Once you book into the test, TISC will supply a Candidate Information booklet, containing examples of questions, and Blue Sample question booklet (if you are sitting the multiple choice section).
Q: Can I change test dates after I book?
A: You can request a change of session to the next available testing date. You will need to pay a fee of $33 and this must be lodged at TISC, together with your signed, written request for a change of session, no later than one working day (ie 4.30 pm on the Thursday before a Saturday test) before the allocated session date.
Q: Can I cancel and get a refund?
A: You may be refunded your STAT fee if you lodge a signed, written application with TISC no later than one working day (ie 4.30 pm on the Thursday before a Saturday test) before the allocated session date. A cancellation fee of $33 will be deducted from any refund.
Q: What if I was sick or had to work, and missed the test?
A: If you miss your test date due to medical or work reasons, you can re-book for the next session or request a refund. You must lodge a signed, written request to TISC, together with a medical certificate/letter from your employer to TISC no later than five working days after the test session. You also need to include a change of session fee of $33 if you wish to re-book. A cancellation fee of $33 will be deducted from any refund.
Q: Can I convert my STAT score to a TER?
A: Yes, there is a Rank calculator, which converts STAT results to a STAT Rank, on our website.
Q: Why are my scores different for each university when I use the website calculator to convert the results to a STAT Rank?
A: The three WA universities that use STAT Ranks use a different formula in converting your STAT scores into a STAT Rank, because they have different minimum entry requirements.
Q: The website won’t work. It keeps saying that this page is not available. What is wrong?
A: You are probably not using a browser that the site supports. The TISC website supports two internet browsers – Internet Explorer version 5.5 or higher and Mozilla Firefox version 1.0 or higher. If you are using another browser type, you will probably continue to have trouble. You will need to change to one of the above browsers. If you are already using a browser supported by TISC then read further information in this section to clear browser cache. If information provided here does not resolve the problem then please contact TISC providing details about the error message and the page you were trying to access.
Q: I clicked on ‘next’ but only a blank page appears? What should I do?
A: The two most common factors which can cause this problem are the browser cache and cookies. Clear your browser cache and this may resolve the problem. You may also need to enable cookies to resolve this problem.
Q: I can’t seem to login. What should I do?
A: Our login process requires that your browser accept cookies. This process will not work if your browser is not cookies enabled or you have a firewall software blocking cookies. You need to set your browser to allow cookies. Read below for more information.
Q: How do I clear browser cache?
A: Browser cache, also known as Temporary Internet Files, contains record of pages you have visited.
Sometimes clearing this cache can resolve unexpected browser problems. Options to clear cache may differ slightly depending on your browser version.
To clear cache for Internet Explorer:
To clear cache for Mozilla Firefox:
Q: How do I set my browser to allow cookies for TISC Online?
A: Cookies are a small piece of information browser stores on the computer, which contain
information about the relevant websites. For TISC Online to work properly your browser must be set to accept cookies either for all sites or
specifically for TISC Online. Options to allow cookies may differ slightly depending on your browser version.
To allow cookies for Internet Explorer:
To allow cookies for Mozilla Firefox:
Note that if you have a firewall software installed on your computer, it may also be blocking cookies. If browser change above for allowing cookies
have not resolved the problem and you believe your firewall may be blocking cookies then please consult your firewall manual for configuration.
Q: How do I find out browser version number?
A: For Internet Explorer, select Help from the top menu and then About Internet Explorer option.
This will open the About Internet Explorer window containing version information. For Mozilla Firefox, select Help from the top menu and
then About Mozilla Firefox option. This will open the About Mozilla Firefox window containing the version number.
Usually the first few digits of the version number are sufficient to determine browser compatibility with the TISC Online.
Troubleshooting - Registration
Q: Can I use my TISC number from a previous year?
A: No. TISC begins a new database each application cycle. All data from previous years is archived and is no longer accessible. Unless you are doing TEE/Year 12 in WA this year or have already been provided with a TISC number in response to a 2008 STAT enquiry, you need to Register on our website and receive your new TISC User ID onscreen. (See Previously Registered with TISC.)
Q: The automated password request is not working. What should I do?
A: The email address you enter must match the email address we have recorded for you. Perhaps we do not have an email address for you, you have changed your email without telling us, or you have typed it incorrectly. You can request a manual re-set of your password via help@tisc.edu.au. You will need to supply your full name, date of birth, postal notification address, and details of school attended and Year 12 subjects sat for verification purposes.
Q: I am trying to login on behalf of my friend/child/partner and am having problems. Can you help?
A: In line with the Privacy Act, TISC considers all details about an applicant and their application confidential and will not disclose these details to a third party. TISC will only offer assistance to you if written authority for you to act on behalf of your friend/child/partner is held at TISC. We will then assist with any queries which you, as the authorised person, have. You and your friend/child/partner should complete and submit an Authority to Act on Your Behalf form which can be downloaded from our website.
Q: I just booked for STAT at TISC but the User ID given to me doesn’t work. What is wrong?
A: User IDs created by TISC are not available on our website until the next working day. You should try again the next working day.
Q: I can’t seem to register. What should I do?
A: Our registration and login processes require that your browser accept cookies. These processes will not work if your browser is not cookies enabled or you have a firewall software blocking cookies. You need to clear your cache and enable cookies. Read Troubleshooting - Web Access section for more information.
Troubleshooting - University Application
Q: My course folder shows three preferences, but I know I entered five on my application. What’s happened to the other two?
A: The course folder is a storage area where you can add courses that you are considering. The folder is not part of your application to university. The purpose of the folder is to give you a place to save details of courses which you are interested in and, once you decide that you wish to apply for any of them, you can then transfer your chosen course(s) to your application.
Q: What does Application Type mean?
A: Application Type allows TISC to divide applicants into those students currently completing Year 12 in Australia or New Zealand, or doing the International Baccalaureate, and those applicants who are not. If you are currently completing your final year of secondary school, either interstate or in New Zealand, or completing the International Baccalaureate (IB) this year, you should select the button for this type. If not, then you should select ‘None of the above’.
Q: I can’t seem to add my secondary education. What should I do?
A: Check the first page (‘Application Type’) of your online application. You may have selected ‘Interstate/NZ/IB Current Year 12’. You can only select this category if you are sitting your final year of secondary school this year. If you have completed your secondary schooling in a previous year, our programming will not allow you to proceed, as the two sets of data conflict. Please select ‘Other’ as your Application Type and you will be able to enter your secondary education details.
Q: I can’t find the course code. Can you please advise?
A: TISC will not advise course codes. As there are so many similar courses, we could inadvertently advise the incorrect code. To avoid any ambiguity, it is your responsibility to select the course code. You can search for all courses which are available this year by using the Course Search facility on our website. The course code is part of the course information provided for each course. If you still find it difficult to identify the course code for the course you are interested in, contact the Admissions office of the university you wish to attend for assistance.
Q: I found the code for the course I want in the university’s handbook, but it doesn’t work. What’s wrong?
A: Course codes in the universities’ handbooks are for internal use by the respective universities. They are not TISC codes and therefore cannot be used on our website. If you do a Course Search on our website, you will find the correct TISC code for your course.
Q: The TISC code for the course I wish to select is not being accepted by the website. What’s wrong?
A: Check that you have typed the code correctly. If you are sure that it is correct, then check ‘Update to Courses’ on our website to see if your course has been withdrawn by the university. Some courses are cancelled by the universities after the printing of the TISC Guide.
Q: The TISC code for the course I wish to select is not being accepted by the website. What’s wrong?
A: Check that you are not using a superseded code from a previous year.
Q: I am a New Zealand citizen and therefore am able to study in Australia under the same conditions as permanent residents. What proof do I need to provide?
A: The university will check your residency status if you are offered a place. Generally, you will be required to show your current New Zealand passport at the time of enrolment. When making your application, you will be asked for the date you first arrive(d) in Australia. You can use the same date in answer to the question about the date permanent residency in Australia was granted. If you are not in Australia when you apply, give the date you anticipate coming to Australia if your application is successful.
Q: I am a permanent resident whose citizenship has just been approved. I just need to go through the ceremony. Can I apply as an Australian citizen?
A: No. You must apply as a permanent resident and, at enrolment, you could provide proof of citizenship if this has been conferred. You cannot apply as an Australian citizen until you have received your certificate of Australian citizenship at a citizenship ceremony.
Q: What should I answer to the question about credit/advanced standing?
A: This question is asking whether you would like studies you have done at a post-secondary institution, eg a TAFE College or another university, to be considered as part-fulfillment of the course you are applying for. If you answer yes, some of the universities will assess whether or not to grant you any credit for past studies as part of assessing your TISC application. Other universities will invite successful applicants with past studies to apply for advanced standing or credit at enrolment time.
Q: I applied online. Do I get formal notification that TISC has my application?
A: Yes and No.
Yes, if you have included a valid email address in your web application. TISC will email you to confirm
that your payment has been processed. This will be as soon as your online credit card payment is complete
or, if you elected to pay later at TISC, as soon as TISC has received and processed your payment.
No, if TISC does not have your email address. You will not receive a formal notification;
however you can look at your application coversheet to check the status of your application.
The application coversheet shows the payment status Paid when your payment has been processed
and your application has been accepted by TISC for further processing. You can access your application coversheet under
Online Application Enter/Update and print a copy at any time after you have completed and
declared your online application. Print a copy for your records.
Remember, TISC will not accept your application until you have paid the application fee.
Also note that TISC will not be able to answer queries about your application until the
next working day after your application fee has been processed.
You can also go to View Application under Online Application Enter/Update to view your complete
application. To change your email address click Update Contact Details under Registered User Functions.
Q: What is an Application Coversheet?
A: The application coversheet is your record of some of the details of your TISC application. It shows your name and birth date, your User ID.
It also summarises the qualifications/study you told us you have done and lets you know what results TISC can obtain for you and what documentation you need to send to TISC. If you need to send any documentation to TISC, print a copy of your coversheet and attach it to the documents you are sending. This means we can easily match your documents with your application details and check that you have sent everything we have asked for.
The application coversheet shows you your payment details: how you elected to pay the application processing fee and whether or not you have paid the fee. When the payment status changes to ‘Paid’ you know that TISC has activated your application.
You can access your application coversheet under ‘Online Application Enter/Update’ and print a copy at any time after you have completed and declared your online application.