Originally posted by melbournian
btw, which is easier to do....transfer between courses or between a full fee and hecs place?
Generally, neither one is easier than the other - to the UAC, or VTAC, or whichever you're using, they're both 'transferring' from a different program (notice fee places have different course codes to HECS places for the same course).
But there are a few other considerations. First, remember that your non-recent school leaver rank (used when transferring), is calculated using your UAI and GPA in equal portions.
If you initially opt for a fee place, you'll be competing against students who have already attained the requisite UAI cut-off. Most universities bell curve their grades, forcing certain percentages of students to fall into the HD, D, C ranges etc. It could be harder to obtain a high GPA and thus harder to transfer if you pursue this path. However, you'll have no difficulties in obtaining credit for the subjects you've completed - you'll have no catching up to do (usually involves one of overloading, summer school, or extra semester).
Obviously, the converse arguments apply for HECS places.