Applying for equity schemes and scholarships
When to apply
Equity schemes and scholarships applications are now closed for the mid-year intake. Equity schemes and scholarships applications for 2027 courses open in August.
| Equity schemes and scholarships applications | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Equity schemes and scholarships applications and supporting documentation deadline for the mid-year intake | 8 April (12 noon) | 5 June (5pm) |
| Equity schemes and scholarships applications and supporting documentation deadline for the 2027 intake | 3 August (9am) | 9 October (5pm) |
VTAC equity schemes and scholarships
If there have been circumstances that have affected your study, you should consider putting in an equity schemes and scholarships application. It is designed to make sure institutions get a sense of your full potential and it enables institutions to consider the circumstances you have experienced and their impact upon your studies when making selection decisions. Some institutions will use this information to offer scholarships.
- It helps institutions understand your full potential by considering the circumstances you have experienced.
- It allows institutions to grant special consideration for course entry.
- It is used by institutions to consider applicants for access and equity scholarships.
- It does not exempt you from meeting the institutional and course requirements.
VTAC have simplified the process for applying for equity schemes and scholarships by combining them into one application. The information you provide in the form will be assessed and could result in you receiving special consideration for a course offer and/or financial support through scholarships. The application covers multiple equity schemes categories across a range of institutions and over 50 scholarships. Submitting an equity schemes and scholarships application does not have an additional cost and is included within your application fee.
Note: This application was formerly referred to as the Special Entry Access Scheme or SEAS.
Explainer: What are equity schemes?
Equity schemes can help institutions to better understand your full potential and consider your conditions or circumstations when selecting you for courses.
A successful outcome from your equity schemes application will increase your selection rank for the courses you're applying for. Your selection rank begins with your ATAR, and it can go up with equity adjustments. Remember that equity schemes may lift your selection rank, not your ATAR.
This video provides a short introduction to the scheme.
Transcript of the video
What are equity schemes
What are equity schemes?
Equity schemes can compensate for educational disadvantage by making your application more competitive.
It does this by increasing your selection rank for the courses that you’re applying for.
Your selection rank begins with your ATAR,
And it can go up with adjustments, such as equity schemes.
So equity schemes consideration lifts your selection rank, not your ATAR.
It can either increase your selection rank, or have no impact.
This means that an equity schemes application cannot disadvantage you in any way.
Each institution applies special consideration differently.
This means your selection rank can differ among your preferences.
The Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) falls under equity schemes.
It is also known as special consideration.
The equity schemes application is split into different categories:
- Personal information and location
- Financial hardship
- Disability or medical condition
- Difficult circumstances
You can apply for as many as are relevant to your circumstances.
You do not need to apply for the personal information and location category, this is automatically considered.
In most cases, you will be required to provide evidence to support your application.
For more information, visit www.vtac.edu.au or call our team on
(03) 9926 1020.
Eligibility for VTAC equity schemes and scholarships
You are eligible to apply for equity schemes or scholarships if you hold:
- Australian or New Zealand citizenship
- a permanent Australian residency visa, or
- an eligible temporary protection, safe haven, or humanitarian visa holder, or bridging visa holder applying for humanitarian visa. See information for refugees and asylum seekers for further details and exceptions.
Additionally, you need to have applied for a course through VTAC and met the course and institutional requirements. The equity schemes and scholarships application will only become available once you have lodged a course application.
Most international Australian Year 12 applicants are not eligible and are encouraged to contact institutions directly to see if other entry and access programs are available. However, asylum seekers on certain visa subclasses can apply.
How to apply for equity schemes and scholarships through VTAC
Once you submit your VTAC course application, the equity schemes and scholarships application will become available in your VTAC account. Follow the steps below on how to apply.
Step 1. Login to your VTAC account and select 'Equity schemes and scholarships' from the navigation bar. This option will become available after you have submitted and paid for your VTAC course application.
Step 2. Complete the form by answering the yes or no to the prompts for the following categories. You can click on the links below to find more information and the evidence you will need to supply for each category
- Financial hardship
- Living with a disability or medical condition
- Difficult family and life circumstances
- Scholarship benefit statement
Step 3. If you answered yes to any of the categories, you will be asked to provide more information on your specific circumstances or condition relevant to that category. In most cases, you will be asked to provide an impact statement that outlines the circumstance, timeline and the impact it has had on your studies. Complete these additional sections of the form and click 'Save and Continue' until you reach the 'Complete application' screen
Step 4. When you have completed your application click 'Submit application'. You will still be able to make changes to your application until the closing date.
Step 5. For any categories you answered "yes" to that require supporting documentation, the requirements will be listed on your 'Providing evidence' screen in your VTAC account. For guidance on how to provide supporting evidence, visit the Providing Evidence page.
You can also visit our step-by-step video walkthrough guide for more information on the application process.
What else do I need to know?
- The personal information and location category is considered as part of your VTAC application, however you do not need to provide any information or evidence for this category within the form. The personal details you supply as part of your VTAC profile will be used to consider you for this category.
- Most categories require additional evidence to support your claims in the form. VTAC recommends that you familiarise yourself with the application requirements so you allow enough time to gather and upload the evidence.
- For a list of institutions who participate in equity schemes through VTAC, click here. For a list of institutions who participate in scholarships through VTAC, click here.
Outcomes and offers
How might equity schemes affect your course application?
Generally, equity schemes allows institutions to grant special consideration for course entry. Your application and supporting evidence will be assessed by an independent panel which VTAC convenes. Any special consideration for which you are eligible will be applied by each institution you are applying to.
An equity schemes application might increase your chance of being selected to a course. It does not exempt you from meeting any of the institutional and course entry requirements. You must still complete the requirements listed under ‘essential requirements and admission criteria’ for each course you apply to, including prerequisites.
Special consideration does not change your educational results or qualifications and it does not guarantee you an offer.
You will not receive notification of your equity schemes application outcome. Because each institution applies special consideration differently, and in accordance with their policies, the outcome of an individual's equity schemes application will be undisclosed. Questions about how equity schemes are used should be directed to institutions.
Did I receive a scholarship offer?
Most institutions notify successful scholarship applicant via the VTAC user account. For information about when scholarships are offered and the offer process, see the scholarship offers page.
Other equity schemes and scholarships
While most institutions participate in equity schemes, there are some institutions that run their own programs outside of the VTAC process. For further information refer to the institution's page or website. For a list of scholarships offered directly by institutions, see Other scholarships not through VTAC.
If you receive Centrelink benefits and need to move for study, you may be eligible for a Centrelink Relocation Scholarship. Centrelink also offer a repayable Student Start-Up Loan.