No Selective Entry Offer After Round 3?

What Happens Next in Victoria in 2026?
Victorian Selective Entry High Schools | Year 9 Entry in 2027

The third formal round of Victorian Selective Entry offers has now finished. Round 3 closed at 11:59 pm on 24 August 2026.

If your child did not receive an offer, you may be wondering whether the Selective Entry process is now completely over.

The short answer: A later offer is still possible. ACER states that the offers process may continue until the end of Term 4 if places become available.

The 2026 Selective Entry Offer Rounds

For students seeking Year 9 entry in 2027, the scheduled offer rounds were:

Round Offers Published Offers Closed
Round 1 3 August 2026 10 August 2026
Round 2 13 August 2026 17 August 2026
Round 3 20 August 2026 24 August 2026

ACER lists 24 August 2026 as the completion date for the formal offer rounds.

Can You Still Receive a Selective Entry Offer After Round 3?

Yes, it is possible.

ACER states that the offer process may continue until the end of Term 4, depending on the availability of places.

Victorian Term 4 in 2026 runs from 5 October to 18 December 2026.

A place may become available if a student who previously accepted an offer later withdraws. ACER provides a process for families who want to withdraw an accepted offer.

Keep expectations realistic. ACER says around 90% of places are secured in Round 1. This means the number of places available later is likely to be small.

How Are Late Selective Entry Offers Decided?

ACER says late offers take into account factors including:

1

School Preference

The order in which the student selected the schools.

2

Candidate Ranking

The student's position in the selection process.

3

Gender Balance

This can also be relevant when available places are filled.

There is no separate application for a standard late offer. A place first needs to become available.

What Should Parents Do Now?

1
Keep checking your email
Use the email address linked to the Selective Entry application.
2
Check the application portal
Review the Offer tab for any changes.
3
Watch for Principal Discretion
This is a separate part of the selection process.

What About Principal Discretion?

The Principal Discretion Category (PDC) is another part of the 2027 entry process that is still to come.

Principal Discretion Dates
PDC invitations 3 September 2026
Applications close 8 September 2026
Interviews 5 to 14 October 2026
Successful candidates notified 15 October 2026

Up to 5% of places can be offered through Principal Discretion.

Students cannot simply submit a Principal Discretion application. They must first be invited to apply. An invitation is also not the same as receiving an offer.

Late Offers and Principal Discretion Are Different

Late Offer

A place that may become available after the formal offer rounds. ACER says the process may continue until the end of Term 4.

Principal Discretion

A separate selection category where invited students may apply and can then be shortlisted for interview.

So, Is the Selective Entry Process Over After Round 3?

The three formal Victorian Selective Entry offer rounds for Year 9 entry in 2027 are finished.

However, the possibility of an offer has not completely disappeared. ACER states that late offers may continue until the end of Term 4 if suitable places become available.

For parents: keep checking your email and the Selective Entry application portal, and remember that Principal Discretion is still to take place.

Official Sources

This article is based on information published by ACER for the Victorian Selective Entry High Schools selection process and the Victorian Department of Education.

Selection dates and processes can change. Families should check the official ACER Selective Entry website for information relating to their individual application.

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