You're eligible.
You need 8 units of Category A subjects (which you have). The other 2 units that your ATAR comprises of will come from your I.T. exam (VET courses equate to Category B).
Also, correct me if I'm wrong, I always thought that visual design was a Category C subject ?
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Your teacher was probably talking about pharmacy, that requires STAT.
It's 99.95 at USyd because it's combined medicine.
At UNSW/UWS it's 95+ (or 93+ for GWS@UWS), with UMAT and an interview also required.