Australia July Intake: When to Apply and What to Prepare

TL;DR: When should you apply for the Australia July intake? For a mid-year 2027 start, most universities close applications at the end of May 2027, and teaching begins in mid to late July. UNSW is the exception: its Term 2 starts on 31 May 2027, with postgraduate deadlines running from 2026. Not every course takes a mid-year intake, and you need an offer, a Confirmation of Enrolment and a student visa lodged from outside Australia before you travel, so plan to apply 6 to 8 months ahead.

The Australia July intake is the second main entry point of the year. It suits students who miss February, finish a degree mid-year or need more time for English tests and funds. It is smaller than February, though, and that changes how you plan.

This guide covers start dates and deadlines at six universities, which courses run mid-year, and a working timeline back from July. If you are applying from Sri Lanka, the local points are near the end.

Not sure whether your course runs in July? Check your eligibility with Prosper.

When does the July intake start in 2027?

UNSW runs three terms, not two semesters, so its "mid-year" entry is earlier. Always check the deadline on your own course page, because faculties and programs can set different dates.

Does every course take a July intake?

No. UQ says some programs start in Semester 2, RMIT says not all courses are available for midyear intake, and UNSW says not all programs have a Term 2 or Term 3 intake. Some professional degrees, such as medicine and dentistry at Sydney, run on their own dates.

• Check the course page first. Look for "Semester 2", "mid-year" or "Term 2" in the intake field before you prepare anything else.
• Ask about sequencing. Starting mid-year can change the order of your subjects, so ask whether you can still finish on time.
• Have a February back-up. If your first-choice course only starts in February, decide early whether to wait or switch.

Want help finding mid-year courses that fit your degree?

Check your eligibility ›

What does the timeline look like?

Work backwards from a late-July start. The dates below are a planning guide, not official deadlines.

1. November to January: shortlist courses that run mid-year and book your English test.
2. January to March: apply with transcripts, English results, CV and statement. Use a CRICOS course search to confirm the course is registered for international students.
3. March to April: accept your offer, pay the deposit, arrange Overseas Student Health Cover and receive your Confirmation of Enrolment.
4. April to May: lodge your student visa with your CoE, funds and genuine student answers.
5. June to July: book flights and accommodation once your visa is granted.

What do you need for the student visa?

You upload a current Confirmation of Enrolment to your ImmiAccount, and Home Affairs encourages you to apply well before your course start date. The student visa charge rose from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500 on 1 July 2026. Since 2 October 2026, unless you are exempt, you must apply from outside Australia and be outside Australia when the visa is granted. Our Australia student visa document checklist lists what to prepare, and our guide to the genuine student requirement covers the written answers.

Applying from Sri Lanka

• If your final university results come out after the application deadline, apply with your latest transcript and a conditional offer, then send final results when they are issued.
• Order certified English translations of any Sinhala or Tamil documents before you apply, not after.
• Plan your funds early, because statements usually need to show a history, not a recent deposit. See our guide on how much money you need to study in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

Is the July intake harder to get into than February?
Entry requirements are usually the same, but fewer courses run mid-year, so your choice is narrower.

When should I apply for the Australia July intake?
Aim to apply 6 to 8 months before the start. Most published deadlines are at the end of May, but visa steps take time after the offer.

Does UNSW have a July intake?
UNSW runs terms. Its Term 2 starts on 31 May 2027 and Term 3 on 13 September 2027, so check which suits your course.

PS: Before you start an application, confirm on the course page that your program actually runs mid-year. If you would like help building your timeline, Check your eligibility with Prosper.

Check your eligibility ›

Sandeepani Wickramasinghe

References

1. Future key dates, University of Melbourne. https://www.unimelb.edu.au/dates/future (accessed 22 October 2026)
2. International undergraduate applications, University of Melbourne. https://study.unimelb.edu.au/how-to-apply/undergraduate-study/international-applications/applications (accessed 22 October 2026)
3. Application dates, University of Sydney. https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/applying/application-dates.html (accessed 22 October 2026)
4. Academic calendar, University of Queensland. https://about.uq.edu.au/academic-calendar (accessed 22 October 2026)
5. Intakes 2027, RMIT University. https://www.rmit.edu.au/study-with-us/international-students/academic-calendar (accessed 22 October 2026)
6. International graduate applications, Monash University. https://www.monash.edu/admissions/apply/international-pg (accessed 22 October 2026)
7. Academic calendar and admissions information, UNSW Sydney. https://www.unsw.edu.au/student/managing-your-studies/key-dates/academic-calendar (accessed 22 October 2026)
8. Check twice, submit once: Student visa, Department of Home Affairs. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/check-twice-submit-once/student-visa (accessed 22 October 2026)
9. Student visa application charge increase, Study Australia. https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/en/tools-and-resources/news/student-visa-application-charge-increase (accessed 22 October 2026)
10. Changes to Student visa application rules, Department of Home Affairs. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/changes-to-student-visa-application-rules-500-590 (accessed 22 October 2026)