Higher education provides the knowledge and skills to empower you and support your community. At Deakin, we are committed to advancing the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples by removing barriers to education. Our Indigenous Access Scheme and other programs celebrate your achievements, helping you start your educational journey with Deakin.
The Indigenous Access Scheme recognises the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students beyond their ATAR. We consider your skills, experience and community work as preparation for study, offering you the opportunity to earn a place at university in recognition of your hard work. Here’s how it works:
There are over 30 courses available through the Indigenous Access Scheme, all shaped and taught by industry leaders. Use our course finder to find a course that matches your interests.
Complete the online application form. After submitting your application, we’ll guide you through the next steps, giving you an opportunity to tell us about your skills and experience.
The Indigenous Entry Stream is a specialised pathway to become a healthcare practitioner, improving cultural safety and health equity in your community. Places are allocated exclusively for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in select optometry, medical imaging, medicine and psychological science courses.
To help address workforce shortages in regional and remote areas, Deakin offer alternative entry pathways into relevant exercise and sport science, nutrition science, medical imaging, social work and vision science/optometry courses.
Everyone should have access to higher education without facing limitations or financial hardship. A Deakin scholarship offers financial support, allowing you to focus on your studies.
Advancing the educational aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples by providing access to education through inclusive pathways to university is at the heart of our strategy.
Professor Iain Martin
Vice-Chancellor, Deakin University
The National Indigenous Knowledges Education Research Innovation (NIKERI) Institute offers community-based courses to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. We value knowledge gained through experience, meaning that an ATAR or high school graduation certificate is not an entry requirement.
We offer lower guaranteed ATARs for eligible students from under-represented backgrounds, including those from rural and regional areas or with an Indigenous background. This initiative provides greater certainty, reduces stress and gives you a better chance of entering the course you truly want.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
We deliberately use the terms Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Indigenous, First Nations, First Peoples interchangeably and in doing so acknowledge that while people have personal preferences, none of these terms are perfect and with that imperfection each carry nuanced residual forms of colonial power. This content is developed with the core value of respect.
We’re here to support you. If you have any questions or want to speak to someone about your study options, you can contact us by phone or email.
Indigenous Health Team
+61 3 5227 8031
ihmer@deakin.edu.au
Future students
1800 693 888
