An increase in effort to engage non-school leavers appears to be paying dividends for Queensland institutions, with a 10.6% increase in applications compared to the same time last year.

QTAC interim CEO Chris Veraa said these results bucked the trend of a decline in domestic applications in recent years, particularly in the non-school leaver market, which comprised roughly half of all applicants in a typical year.

QTAC had received 40,122 finalised applications in the year to date, with 82% of offers accepted, compared to 74% at the same time last year. Finalised applications from year 12 and mature age applicants are both up by more than 10%, while interstate applications were up 9.2%.

“After a decline in 2023, we are seeing a significant increase in applications this year,” Mr Veraa said.