What can I study?
Deakin is deeply committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As part of this commitment, the Indigenous Entry Stream provides a specialised pathway for Indigenous students to become healthcare practitioners, improving cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the communities they serve.
Doctor of Medicine
Up to seven domestic places in Deakin's Doctor of Medicine course are held for Indigenous Australian applicants applying through the Indigenous Entry Stream. Indigenous Australian applicants can apply with any undergraduate or postgraduate degree and aren't required to complete the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT). The Indigenous Entry Stream is a partnership between Deakin's National Indigenous Knowledge Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute and School of Medicine.
Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
The Indigenous Entry Stream for the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry and Bachelor of Medical Imaging provides a direct-entry pathway for Indigenous Australian applicants. This stream is for non-Year 12 applicants. Current Year 12 applicants can apply directly through VTAC.
Find out more about the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
Bachelor of Medical Imaging
The Indigenous Entry Stream for the Bachelor of Medical Imaging provides a direct-entry pathway for Indigenous Australian applicants. This stream is for non-Year 12 applicants. Current Year 12 applicants can apply directly through VTAC.
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
There is a quota of two places available for Indigenous Australian applicants via the Indigenous Entry Stream. To be eligible, applicants must have completed a bachelor degree (with an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited three-year major sequence in psychology) or a foundation level 1 APAC accredited psychology course or equivalent.
Find out more about the Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
What are the entry requirements?
To be eligible to apply for a place in the Doctor of Medicine, Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry, Bachelor of Medical Imaging or Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) through the Indigenous Entry Stream, you'll need to meet the following admission criteria.
Academic requirements
Doctor of Medicine
- You must hold a bachelor degree, or a bachelor and a higher-level coursework postgraduate degree, completed no more than 10 years before the course commencement date, and a final Grade Point Average (GPA) (weighted) of 5.0 or greater on a 7.0 scale. A higher-level postgraduate coursework program will be considered towards your GPA calculation.
- If your undergraduate degree was completed outside of the 10-year period, you may be considered for admission if you have successfully completed the equivalent of 0.5 year’s tertiary study (i.e. one semester at full-time equivalent study or two semesters of part-time study) at honours or graduate certificate level, or higher, at an Australian university or Higher Education Institution recognised by the Australian Qualifications Framework, or at a recognised international university listed in the NOOSR Guide. Postgraduate study should have been completed no more than 10 years before the course commencement date.
Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
You must have completed one or more of the following requirements:
- Successful completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent (including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
- Successful completion of at least one year of study at Certificate IV or higher in any discipline.
Bachelor of Medical Imaging
You must have completed one or more of the requirements below:
- Successful completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with ATAR of at least 50 or equivalent (including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL) and a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics; as well as a study score of at least 22 in Mathematical Methods (CAS) or Specialist Mathematics or a study score of at least 30 in Further Mathematics.
- Successful completion of at least one year of study at Certificate IV or higher in any discipline. Prior study must include the following prerequisites:
- For applicants with VCE completion within 10 years*, you must have successfully completed at least one maths unit (equivalent to a VCE study score with a minimum of 22 in Mathematical Methods (CAS) or Specialist Mathematics, or a VCE study score of at least 30 in Further Mathematics; and one science unit at VCE level, with a minimum equivalent study score of 25 in Chemistry, Biology or Physics.
- For applicants whose VCE study is post 10 years*, you must have successfully completed one maths unit with a score of 65 or greater; and one science unit (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) with a score of 65 or greater.
- Alternatively, you can provide evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent, including a foundation program approved by the faculty board, or relevant work or life experience.
*To meet this requirement, VCE must have been completed within 10 years at the time of admission into the course.
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
You must have completed one or more of the requirements below:
- Completion of a bachelor degree (with an APAC accredited three-year major sequence in psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in a level three psychology research methods unit and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 psychology core units, or:
- A foundation level 1 APAC accredited psychology course or equivalent (for example: a three year bridging course – Graduate Diploma of Psychology) with a minimum of a mid-credit (65%) in level three psychology research methods unit and a minimum average of 65% over all level-2 and level-3 psychology core units.
Additional requirements
For all courses you'll require recognition as an Indigenous Australian. You’ll also need to provide confirmation of Aboriginality from your community.
If your application is successful, you'll need to provide the following documentation at enrolment:
- a current police check
- an immunisation history
- a Working with Children Check – this is a Victorian Government requirement, and more information will be provided prior to enrolment.
These inherent requirements are expected to be completed before undertaking professional placements as part of the course.
One of our key visions is social accountability and we aim to provide opportunities for students to join us from all walks of life to learn to become excellent doctors.
Candice McKenzie
First Associate Head of School (Indigenous Strategy), School of Medicine
How do I apply for the Indigenous Entry Stream?
Application closing dates for 2024:
- Bachelor of Medical Imaging applications close 5pm 31 July 2024
- Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry applications close 5pm 30 September 2024
- Doctor of Medicine applications close 5pm 31 July 2024
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) applications for Trimester 2 close 26 May 2024
Application information for all courses is available below.
Bachelor of Medical Imaging
To apply, complete the relevant form and return via email to the School of Medicine Admission and Placements team.
Bachelor of Medical Imaging application form (PDF, 721KB)
Please ensure you keep a copy of your application for your records and provide a current email address and phone number in your application.
Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry
To apply, complete the relevant form and return via email to the School of Medicine Admission and Placements team.
Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry application form (PDF, 900KB)
Please ensure you keep a copy of your application for your records and provide a current email address and phone number in your application.
Doctor of Medicine
To apply, complete the relevant form and return via email to the School of Medicine Admission and Placements team.
Doctor of Medicine application form (PDF, 682KB)
Please ensure you keep a copy of your application for your records and provide a current email address and phone number in your application.
GAMSAT information – Indigenous Australian applicants are not required to complete the Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admission Test (GAMSAT). However, if you have completed the GAMSAT, your results can be included as part of your application.
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
To apply, complete the relevant form and return via email to our Psychology Honours team.
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) application form (PDF, 2.1MB)
To process your application, ensure that all documents have been provided. Sighting of original documents may be requested if your application is successful. Please ensure all paperwork has been submitted together and includes the following:
- confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity
- a copy of your most recent academic transcript(s)
- your resume.
Please ensure that you keep a copy of your application for your records and provide a current email address and phone number in your application.
Hear from one of our students
Current Deakin Doctor of Medicine student Oceania Henry shares her experiences of study and how the Indigenous Entry Stream allowed her to take the next step towards her career goals.
How Deakin's Indigenous Entry Stream opens up a world of opportunity
The Indigenous Entry Stream offers places to study the Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry, Bachelor of Medical Imaging or Doctor of Medicine.
What you can look forward to at Deakin
When you study at Deakin, you’ll be joining the most satisfied university students in Victoria* and the largest cohort of First Nations students at a Victorian university. Here are just a few of the reasons why students thrive at Deakin on their way to becoming tomorrow’s leaders.
- Access a range of culturally specific support services, including orientation, tutoring, mentoring and financial support, as well as social and emotional wellbeing services.
- Our focus on practical learning, industry exposure and training in world-class facilities prepares you to make a confident transition into your future career.
- Find a career you love at every stage of your life with lifetime support from DeakinTALENT – Deakin's award-winning careers service.^
Footnotes
*Australian Graduate Survey 2010–2015, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016–2023, Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT)
^Australian Graduate Recruitment Industry Awards, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 winner for most popular career service in Australia; Employability award, 2021 Australian Financial Review Higher Education Awards
Artwork by Kelsey Love. All rights reserved.
Contact us
For further information or any enquires please contact the relevant course team using the contact details below.
Medicine, Optometry and Medical Imaging enquiries
Email the team
Psychology enquiries
Email the team