Helping address workforce shortages in regional and remote areas
Deakin is committed to addressing workforce imbalances in the health sector in regional communities in Victoria and Australia. Our Regional and Remote Entry Scheme is designed to address these workforce shortages and provide regionally based Year 12 students an opportunity to study a health degree and practice in their communities.
What courses can I study?
Check out the courses you can apply for, including exercise and sport science, medical imaging, nutrition science, occupational therapy, social work and vision science/optometry.
Are you eligible for the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme?
The Regional and Remote Entry Scheme has dedicated VTAC codes for each course – if you meet the criteria, you may be eligible to receive an adjustment of up to 10 points towards your aggregate score.
Only current Year 12 students may apply for the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme via VTAC. You can apply for entry into one of the courses below via the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme if you are:
- a current Year 12 student in your final year of schooling at a regional or remote secondary school (as defined by the new ABS categories), that is not located in a major city of Australia
- a current Year 12 student from schools in the Greater City of Geelong.
Check if your school’s address is on the health workforce locator map
Our location criteria is based on the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) remoteness areas criteria. If your school is returned within one of the five classifications below, you are eligible to apply for the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme.
See if your school is eligible
How the aggregate adjustment is applied
Your adjustment score bonus varies depending on where the school you are completing Year 12 is located:
- very remote – 10 point aggregate adjustment
- remote – 10 point aggregate adjustment
- outer regional – 7 point aggregate adjustment
- inner regional – 4 point aggregate adjustment
- City of Greater Geelong schools – no adjustment, but eligible to apply to the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme through VTAC.
How to apply
If you are a current Year 12 student, you can apply for the scheme through VTAC using the codes that are beside each of our courses. When you've got the code, and have your ID and supporting documents ready, here's how you apply:
- Head to VTAC, create an account and log in.
- Select 'course application' in your VTAC account, then enter your education history.
- List your course preferences using the regional and remote VTAC codes.
- Review your application details and submit.
Study with an industry leader
Study with an industry leader and distinguish yourself from your peers – Deakin is home to the world’s #1 sport science school and we're #3 in Victoria for medicine.
Exercise and sport science courses
We're committed to producing world-class exercise and sport science students across regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. We’re home to the world’s #1 sport science school.
Courses and codes
The entry scheme has a separate VTAC code offering an alternative entry pathway into the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus for the following courses:
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science (H343)
Regional and Remote VTAC code: 1400310381
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) (D394)
Regional and Remote VTAC code: 1400310391
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Nutrition Science (D394)
Regional and Remote VTAC code: 1400311171.
Medical imaging courses
There's currently a shortage of qualified and skilled radiographers in regional areas of Victoria and Australia. The School of Medicine is committed in helping to address this shortage.
Extra eligibility criteria
To be eligible you must meet the following admission criteria:
- successful completion of a Senior Secondary Certification in 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)
- 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.
Course and code
Our entry scheme has a separate VTAC code offering an alternative entry pathway into the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus for the following course:
Bachelor of Medical Imaging (H309)
Regional and Remote VTAC code: 1400310481.
Nutrition science courses
There's an increasing need in regional and remote areas for nutritionists. Our combined nutrition science degrees with commerce or exercise and sport science produce multi-skilled graduates who can provide valuable support to regional communities.
Courses and codes
Our entry scheme has separate VTAC codes and offers an alternate entry pathway for students in these communities for the following courses at our Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus:
Bachelor of Nutrition Science/Bachelor of Commerce (D301)
Regional and Remote VTAC code: 1400311351
Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science/Bachelor of Nutrition Science (D333)
Regional and Remote VTAC code: 1400311171.
Occupational therapy courses
Workforce shortages means there's a growing demand for occupational therapists in regional Victoria and across Australia. Deakin offers the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme for this course to help address the health gap between these communities and those living in urban centres.
Course codes
The Regional and Remote Entry Scheme has a separate VTAC code offering an alternative entry pathway into the Geelong Waterfront and Warrnambool campuses for the following course:
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (H355)
Regional and Remote VTAC code 1400411591 (Geelong Waterfront)
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (H355)
Regional and Remote VTAC code: 1400711591 (Warrnambool).
Social work courses
Social workers support people to make positive changes in their lives, aiming to improve their personal and social wellbeing. Many rural areas across Australia have a severe lack of social work services available within their communities.
Course codes
The Regional and Remote Entry Scheme has a separate VTAC code offering an alternative entry pathway into the Geelong Waterfront and Warrnambool campuses for the following course:
Bachelor of Social Work (H330)
Regional and Remote VTAC code:1400411421 (Geelong Waterfront)
Bachelor of Social Work (H330)
Regional and Remote VTAC code: 1400711421 (Warrnambool).
Vision science/optometry course
Around 71% of optometrists are based in capital cities, resulting in a workforce shortage in regional Australia, which our Regional and Remote Entry Scheme is designed to address.
Extra eligibility criteria
To be eligible you must meet the following admission criteria:
- successful completion of a Senior Secondary Certification in 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).
Course and code
The Regional and Remote Entry Scheme has a separate VTAC code offering an alternative entry pathway into our Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus for the following course:
Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry (D302)
Regional and Remote VTAC code: 1400310261.
Footnotes
Contact us
Speak to one of our friendly student advisers to find out more about the Regional and Remote Entry Scheme.
Call 1800 693 888
Enquire online