All applicants wishing to study in the Department of Japanese must undergo a two-stage application process. Recent high school graduates applying for a scholarship must do so through the Higher Education applications process before their final year 12 examinations. Particular attention is paid to applicants’ results in the High School Certificate subject of Moral and Civic Education. Successful applicants are then required to sit a separate two-stage entrance examination administered by the Department of Japanese.

The first stage consists of a paper-based exam testing students’ general knowledge. Upon successful completion of this exam, prospective students proceed to an interview about themselves, their knowledge of Japanese language and culture, and their future goals. Those students applying for a fee-paying place within the Department of Japanese are required to sit the same two-stage Department-administered entrance examination.