When does Australia's main university intake actually start?
Australia's main university intake, Semester 1, generally starts around February, not September as in many other study destinations. Its secondary intake, Semester 2, usually begins around July, so you have two realistic windows each year to plan your application and arrival around if Australia is your target country.
If you are planning to study in Australia, do not assume its academic year follows the same September pattern as many other countries. Its main intake actually falls earlier in the calendar.
Australia's University Intake Calendar
| Intake | Approximate Start |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 (main intake) | Around February |
| Semester 2 (secondary intake) | Around July |
Why This Differs From Other Destinations
Because Australia's academic calendar runs on its own cycle, students who are used to planning around a September start for the USA, UK, or Canada need to shift their timeline when applying to Australian universities.
My Advice
If Australia is even a backup option for you, map out its February and July intake deadlines separately from your other applications, since aligning both calendars on one spreadsheet will stop you from missing an earlier Australian deadline by mistake.
Australia Feb, Jul or Nov 2027: Which Intake Can You Still Apply For?
Get a personalised timeline before deadlines close.
More Universities & admissions questions
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- If I apply to two courses at the same university, do I need separate letters of recommendation for each course or can I use the same letter for both?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Is January 2027 intake possible for masters in business analytics in UK/UAE?
- Which universities in the USA offer MS Engineering Management for a B.Tech Automotive Engineering graduate, Duolingo 120 and ₹80 lakhs budget?
- Can I pursue an MBA abroad after completing a Bachelor of Science degree?
- Is it possible to study computer science with specialization in artificial intelligence in UK/New Zealand for a Master's?
More Australia questions
- What are the options for pursuing a master's in psychology or clinical psychology given my bachelor's background in biology in Australia/Canada?
- Can I apply for a master's program in Australia immediately after completing my bachelor's at age 25?
- How does the show money requirement work for Australia visa applications?
- Will freelancing work experience be considered as a gap or as valid work experience for admissions in Ireland/Australia for a Master's?
- What are the visa application chances and procedures for USA compared to Australia?
- Have you discussed your abroad education plan with your parents in UK/Australia?
- Is it better to apply for UK or consider other countries for my master's in business analytics in Australia/Canada?
- Which universities in Australia offer MS International Business for a B.Tech Product Design Engineering graduate and IELTS 7.5?