The following is a summary of the Educational Access Scheme launched by UAC to inform students of their possible eligibility. For further information on the Scheme, see the EAS official document.
What is EAS?
The EAS (Educational Access Scheme) is a scheme launched by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) to provide easier access to university to under-represented groups of high school students who have suffered long-term educational disadvantage.
Long-term educational disadvantage: disadvantage that seriously affected the applicant's educational performance, normally for a period of at least six months, during Year 11 and/or Year 12, or equivalent, and must be due to circumstances beyond the control or choosing of the applicant.
Institutions may:
- Allocate bonus points to an applicant's ATAR; or
- Set aside a certain number of places.
(See official EAS document to identify these universities)
Note: Some University courses are excluded from the EAS. See the university course page for more information.Only some Universities give special considerations to elite athletes/performers. Most Universities have specific schemes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and they must apply to EAS accordingly after considering their policies.
Are you eligible?
You can apply for EAS if you are:
- A UAC applicant for an undergraduate degree and have experienced long-term educational disadvantage during Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent.
- An Australian or New Zealand citizen; or
- Permanent Resident of Australia; or
- A holder of an Australian Permanent Resident Humanitarian Visa
Note: International Students are not eligible
More than one disadvantage can be claimed, and is in fact encouraged by UAC. Relevant documentation that must be provided upon application is specified in the original EAS document.
|
Disrupted Schooling -You attended three or more different secondary schools in Australia during Years 10, 11 and 12 or equivalent*. This doesn't include moving from junior school to senior school. -You have English as your first language and you started school in Australia during Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent* -You moved interstate during Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent*. -You have missed long periods of schooling in Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent* for reasons other than medical, as a result of circumstances beyond your control or choosing. This doesn't include student exchange programs. |
English Language Difficulties -If you came directly to Australia from a non-English speaking country and began your education in an Australian school in Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent* and you experience difficulty with the English language. -If you came directly to Australia from a non-English speaking country and you began your education in an Australian school during Years 7–10 and you experienced difficulty with the English language. -If you came directly to Australia from a non-English speaking country in 2008 or after and prior to your arrival you didn't undertake any formal education at an institution where the language of instruction was English and you experience difficulty with the English language.
|
|
Financial Hardship -Youth Allowance/Austudy/ABSTUDY (All Centrelink documentation must be in your name) -Exceptional financial hardship during Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent.* -During Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent, your parent(s) or guardian(s) received Family Tax Benefit Part A. |
Personal illness/disability You experienced a severe and long-term or a severe and recurrent medical/psychiatric condition or disability or a learning, sensory, physical, psychological or other disability/ disorder. (SEE Notes in official EAS document)
|
|
Home or School Environment -Death of an immediate family member or death of a close friend -A severe or life-threatening illness/ disability of an immediate family member or close friend. -Divorce or separation of parents or applicant. -Criminal/legal matters. You can't list criminal/legal matters for offences for which you have been convicted, or traffic/parking infringements. Criminal /legal matters may include coronial inquiries/medical tribunals/ police investigations. Disruption must be severe and long-term. -Excessive responsibility for care of children and/or other family members. -Excessive work requirements to: Support yourself, while living independently; and/or; Support your family; and/or Responsibility to work in the family business. -Excessive responsibility for care of self, while living independently, with no family or partner support, during Year 11 and/or Year 12 or equivalent.* -You, or your parents, or any of your sisters/brothers have experienced abuse. This could include abuse in terms of extreme physical or verbal torment experienced at school or in the home environment. |
Refugee Status You've missed periods of schooling or experienced severe interruptions to your studies as a result of your refugee status.
|
* Fourteen institutions will consider applications for EAS through UAC for UAC applicants for undergraduate admission who are currently undertaking or who've previously undertaken tertiary study and who've experienced long-term disadvantage as a result of circumstances beyond their control or choosing.
Important Dates:
Applications open: Wednesday 08 August 2013
On-time applications close: Friday 28 September 2013
Late applications close: Friday 30 November 2013
Final applications close: Friday 4 January 2014