Special consideration
Special consideration will be given to domestic applicants for undergraduate study where circumstances beyond a person’s control have had a direct bearing on the student’s educational performance.
Beyond a person’s control is defined as ‘a situation occurs, which is unusual, uncommon or abnormal, and that a reasonable person would consider is not due to the person’s action or inaction, either direct or indirect, and for which the person is thus not responsible'. Pre-existing conditions are not ruled out, but it is suggested that consideration be given to whether that condition changed in a way to affect the performance of the student in a way that might otherwise not have been expected.
Eligibility
Applicants with no tertiary study must apply through the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) administered by Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Applicants who are eligible for EAS will not be considered for special consideration.
If you are applying for consideration on the basis of tertiary study alone (i.e. ignoring year 12 results) you must have completed at least one year of full-time study.
Your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) must be over the minimum entry requirements for special consideration to be successful. The minimum selection rank for each program can be found on the program page in the Programs & Courses website.
Selection basis
Applications are assessed on the merit of the information provided including supporting documentation. Applications without supporting documentation will not be successful. One of the determinations below will be reached by the assessing parties and you will be notified of the outcome.
| Determination | Used in cases where |
|---|---|
| Admit to the award | The rank of the qualification to be considered meets the entry requirements of the program. |
| Admit to another award | The rank of the qualification to be considered meets the entry requirements of the alternative award. |
| Admit with recommendations | The rank of the qualification to be considered falls within five points of the entry requirements. Recommendations may include:
|
| Admit to another award with recommendations | The rank of the qualification to be considered falls within five points of the entry requirements of the alternative program. Recommendations may include:
|
| Do not admit | Where the rank of the qualification to be considered falls below five points of the program, or where the rank of the qualification to be considered falls below the minimum requirements of the University. |
How to apply
You must include supporting documents that substantiate your claims and provide evidence of your capacity to succeed. You may also submit personal references, examples of work or selections of relevant readings undertaken. Examples of supporting documents are:
- Doctors certificates to support lengthy health issues likely to affect study.
- Letters from doctors outlining how a condition affected study.
- Letters from teachers outlining issues experienced at school or study.
- Letters from employers outlining ongoing responsibility or reliable service.
Applications and supporting documents are confidential.
Step 1: Program application
Apply for admission through UAC and select your preferences.
Advice to help
Step 2: Special consideration application
Complete the application form for special consideration provided below including your UAC ID.
Include your statement to support your application and any other supporting documentation. Your statement must outline the reasons for your poor performance in your study, what has now changed and why you now have the capacity to succeed at tertiary study.
Submit your application for special consideration, statement and supporting documents to the address on the form.
Use contact details to request an alternative file format.
