Special Entry Access Schemes(SEAS)

Recognition as an Indigenous Australian

This category applies to both current Year 12 and non-Year 12 applicants who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous Australians), applicants who self-identify, are descended from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and are accepted as such by the Indigenous community where they live or have lived.

If you’re applying through VTAC, use SEAS Category 1: Personal Information & Location. Adjustment factor aggregate points: 15 points.

Living or school location - low socioeconomic status (SES)

Your residential home address for the three years prior to application is listed under low SES postcodes (please consult VTAC to check if your address is on the list).

If you’re applying through VTAC, use SEAS Category 1: Personal Information & Location.

Adjustment factor aggregate points: 5

Non-English speaking background

Non-English speaking background means a domestic student who arrived in Australia from a non-English speaking country no more than 10 years ago, and who comes from a home where a language other than English is spoken.

If you’re applying through VTAC, use SEAS Category 1: Personal Information & Location. Adjustment factor aggregate points: 5

First in family to attend university

This category applies if you are the first in your immediate family (i.e. your parents) to attend university.

If you’re applying through VTAC, use SEAS Category 1: Personal Information and location. Adjustment factor aggregate points: 5.

A sliding scale of aggregate bonuses will be given according to whether the disadvantage is severe, moderate or slight. If you’re applying through VTAC, use SEAS Category 2: Disadvantaged Financial Background.

Adjustment factor aggregate points: sliding scale up to 10 points for severe disadvantage.

Disability or medical condition applies to applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage due to any learning, physical, sensory or psychiatric medical condition, illness or disability. A sliding scale of aggregate increases will be given according to whether the condition is severe, moderate or slight (see Schedule 1).

If you’re applying through VTAC, use SEAS Category 3: Disability or Medical Condition.

Adjustment factor aggregate points: sliding scale up to 10 points for severe disadvantage.

Category 4 applies to applicants who have been prevented from reaching their educational potential because of family or other life circumstances. A sliding scale of aggregate bonuses will be given according to whether the disadvantage is severe, moderate or slight. If you’re applying through VTAC use SEAS Category 4: Difficult Circumstances.

Adjustment factor aggregate points: sliding scale up to 15 points for severe disadvantage.

Care leavers

Care leavers are people who have spent time in out-of-home care, including foster care, residential care, kinship care and/or having been a ward of the state.
If you’re applying through VTAC, use the dedicated question in SEAS Category 4: Difficult Circumstances to advise you spent time in out-of-home care. You’ll also need to complete an impact statement and provide statement/s of support.

Adjustment factor aggregate points: sliding scale up to 10 points for severe disadvantage.

People from a refugee background

A refugee is someone who has had to leave or abandon his/her native country due to persecution because of race, religion, personal associations or political opinion, and has been granted a humanitarian visa.
If you’re applying through VTAC, use the dedicated question in SEAS Category 4: Difficult Circumstances to advise your circumstances involve having been a refugee. You’ll also need to complete an impact statement and provide statement/s of support.

Adjustment factor aggregate points: sliding scale up to 10 points for severe disadvantage.