Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)
Our Access and Equity Scheme allows applicants applying to study Federation University Australia programs to apply for recognition that they may have experienced educational disadvantage. A number of issues may have impacted on a student during their previous study, affecting their ability to do well in assessment tasks. Our goal is to open the doors to study to those who have the ability to succeed. If you believe that your academic potential is not reflected by your achievements to date, and you are eligible to apply under one or more of the Access and Equity categories, we invite you to include this information in your direct application or submit a SEAS application if applying via VTAC.
Check the potential impact a SEAS application could have on your ATAR with our online SEAS calculator. This will give you an estimate of your adjusted ATAR, by answering just a few simple questions.
At FedUni we recognise four access and equity categories:
- Category 1: Personal information and location
- Category 2: Disadvantaged financial background
- Category 3: Disability or medical condition
- Category 4: Difficult circumstances
Full information about these categories for the purposes of SEAS applications is available on the VTAC website
Eligibility requirements
To apply for consideration under SEAS, you must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or have a permanent residency visa; and
- be applying for an undergraduate course (eg. bachelor, diploma)
Applying
Direct applicants: Complete the personal statement section of the online application form, and attach any supporting documentation.
VTAC applicants: You must first register with VTAC, create your VTAC user account and submit an application. From there you can access the SEAS application. Visit the VTAC dates website for opening and closing dates.
Assessment process
Recent Year 12 applicants will have adjustment factor points added to their aggregate study score, and we will then recalculate the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). We will allocate a maximum of 15 aggregate points per applicant, across all categories.
Category 1: Personal information and location
| Category | What to provide | Aggregate adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Mature age 21 years or older on January 1 of the first year of study | Information is taken from your application, no need to provide further documentation. | 5 points |
| Gender Consideration will be given to applicants who are applying to study a course in which their gender has been historically under-represented. This includes applicants who identify as female, male, or non-binary - view the list of programs here. | Information is taken from your application, no need to provide further documentation. | 5 points |
| Indigenous Australian Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, or identify as a person of such heritage and accepted as such by an Indigenous community. | Information is taken from your application. You may be contacted by the Aboriginal Education Centre (AEC) for further information regarding your application. We encourage you to contact the AEC for advice and assistance with your application. | 15 points |
| Living or school postcode Applicants must live in a rural or isolated area based on the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) - all postcodes are eligible except those classified as 'major cities of Australia'. | Information is taken from your application, no need to provide further documentation. | Up to 10 points |
| Under-represented schools Attend a school which is defined by FedUni as under-represented in higher education | Information is taken from your application, no need to provide further documentation. | 10 points |
| First in family to attend university First in your immediate family (i.e. your parents or guardians) to attend university. | Information is taken from your application, no need to provide further documentation. | 5 points |
| Non-English speaking background Born outside Australia in a non-English speaking country, speak a language other than English at home, and arrived in Australia on, or after January 1, 2006. | Information is taken from your application, no need to provide further documentation. | 5 points |
Category 2: Disadvantaged financial background
| Category | What to provide | Aggregate adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Recipient of Family Tax Benefit Part A or B You or the parent/guardian you live with receives Family Tax Benefit Part A or B | If you receive a Family Tax Benefit, provide one of the following:
If your parent/guardian receives a Family Tax Benefit, you must provide a hard copy of their Centrelink statement listing your name and their relationship to you. | 5 points |
| Centrelink recipient You or the parent/guardian that you live with receives a Centrelink benefit |
If you receive a Centrelink benefit, provide one of the following:
| 10 points |
| Not in receipt of Centrelink benefits You and/or your family have experienced financial hardship or excessive financial obligation but do not receive Centrelink benefits |
1. An impact statement outlining how your financial circumstances have negatively affected your studies;
2. A statement of support from someone with knowledge of your financial circumstances, such as a lawyer, social worker, or accountant. | Up to 10 points |
Category 3: Disability or medical condition
| Category | What to provide | Aggregate adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Disability or medical condition You have experienced educational disadvantage as a result of a disability, illness or medical condition. |
1. An impact statement about the nature and time period of your condition, outlining how it has negatively affected your studies;
2. A statement of support from someone with knowledge of your condition such as a health professional or educational practitioner. | Up to 10 points |
Category 4: Difficult circumstances
| Category | What to provide | Aggregate adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| Difficult circumstances Circumstances which prevented you from reaching your educational potential, these may include but are not limited to:
|
1. An impact statement outlining your circumstances and how this has affected your studies;
2. A statement of support from someone with knowledge of your circumstances, such as a medical practitioner, lawyer, counsellor, teacher, religious or community leader. | Up to 10 points |
Maximum overall adjustment given
Across all of the SEAS categories Federation University will award a maximum adjustment of 15 aggregate points per applicant.
Impact statement
An impact statement should briefly explain the reasons why your circumstances had a negative impact on your education, remember that the statement is being assessed on the quality of the information rather than quantity.
Statement of support
A statement of support is a written statement provided by a responsible person with knowledge of the circumstances which had a negative impact on your education. A responsible person is someone who satisfies each of the below:
- Is an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is 18 years of age or older
- and has known you for at least 12 months or for the entire duration of the circumstance(s), whichever is shorter
- and is not related to you by birth, marriage, de facto or same sex relationship
- and does not live with you or reside at your residence
- and is in a position to comment knowledgeably about your situation without having to be briefed by you about the circumstance(s).
Providing documentation
Direct applicants: All documentary evidence must be attached at the time of application. Please ensure that all documentation provided is clear and legible.
VTAC applicants: VTAC have specific rules for supplying documentation, please ensure that you are familiar with the rules and follow them as instructed.