What is the Deakin Regional Access Scheme?
Current Year 12 students from around Australia are using the Deakin Regional Access Scheme as a pathway to undergraduate study. We look beyond your ATAR at the skills, experience and achievements that make you unique and prepare you for university, meaning you could receive an early conditional offer sooner than your peers.^
You don’t have to live in a regional area to be eligible – it's available to all current Year 12 students looking to study at our Waterfront, Waurn Ponds or Warrnambool campuses.
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How do I apply?
Complete our online application form to apply. Use the form to sell yourself – we want to know about all the skills, experience and achievements that demonstrate your readiness for study. Strengthen your application by including supporting documents that provide evidence of your capabilities.
Examples of supporting documents:
- A letter of reference for voluntary work experience
- Evidence of extracurricular activities such as Deakin Accelerate
- Evidence of school or community leadership positions, such as school captain
- Evidence of participation in the Deakin Engagement and Access Program (DEAP).
Apply in three simple steps
Use our course finder to choose the right course for you, then visit the course page to make sure you meet the entry requirements.
- Complete our online application form, including the Deakin statement, remembering to include any documents that support your application by 6 January 2025.
- Preference your chosen course in your VTAC application.
- Don't forget to apply directly to Deakin and on your VTAC course application. The course offer received in VTAC will be for the course highest on your list of preferences (where you have met all selection criteria), so ensure you’ve added the Deakin Regional Access Scheme VTAC code to your course application in VTAC.
Scholarships
Deakin scholarships provide more than just a financial boost. They’re recognition of the commitment you’ve made to your studies and set you on the path to success at university.
Frequently Asked Questions
We've curated some of the most common questions students like you are asking about the Deakin Regional Access Scheme. Visit Help hub to browse our full range of FAQs, including answers to common questions on applications, fees and more.
Common questions
Skip to next topicWho can apply through the Deakin Regional Access Scheme?
The Deakin Regional Access Scheme is open to current Year 12 students looking to receive an early, conditional offer to study selected courses at our Waterfront, Waurn Ponds or Warrnambool campuses. While the scheme is available through these campuses, you don’t have to live in a regional area to be eligible.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What courses can I study?
A wide range of courses at our Waterfront, Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool campuses are available through the scheme. Use our course finder to choose the right course for you, then visit the course page to make sure you meet the entry requirements.
For more information on future student services and courses:
How does the scheme help me get into a Deakin course?
Current Year 12 students applying for an undergraduate degree are traditionally assessed solely by their ATAR. Applications made through the scheme allow us to assess other factors that demonstrate your readiness for university, including your skills, experience and achievements. Please note that you'll still need to achieve a minimum ATAR of 50 and meet all prerequisites for your chosen course. Some courses have limited places available and meeting minimum entry does not guarantee an offer.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Will factors other than academic results be considered?
We look beyond your ATAR to recognise all the skills, experience and achievements that prepare you for study. We want to know about all the skills you’ve developed, such as emotional intelligence, collaboration, empathy, communication and resilience. If you believe your academic results help paint a picture of your potential, you can also mention them in your application.
For more information on future student services and courses:
How do I apply through the Deakin Regional Access Scheme?
Applications for the 2025 Deakin Regional Access Scheme open on Thursday 15 August. Early conditional offers will be made from Monday 2 September.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What kind of supporting documents do I need to provide?
You can include supporting documents in your application. These will need to be supplied as PDF or Word documents. Supporting documents can be any form of evidence that demonstrates your capabilities and continued development, such as a letter of reference for voluntary work experience, evidence of extracurricular activities, or evidence of school or community leadership positions.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Is there a charge to apply?
No payment is required to apply for the scheme, however, you will need to apply for your chosen course through VTAC, which does include a fee. Go to the VTAC website to find out more about their application fees.
For more information on future student services and courses:
When will I get my offer?
You will receive an early conditional offer after 2 September and by email approximately 7 days after you submit your completed application form (with appropriate supporting documentation) to Deakin. Your final course offer will be made through VTAC, so be sure to preference your Deakin Regional Access Scheme course first so your offer to study can be finalised.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do I need to preference my chosen course through VTAC If I get an early conditional offer through the scheme?
Yes, you must apply for the scheme through VTAC preferencing your chosen course using the Deakin Regional Access Scheme VTAC code. This allows us to finalise your offer to study at Deakin during the VTAC selection period.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Will I be competing with students who are applying for the course with their ATAR?
Deakin Regional Access Scheme provides an alternate entry pathway for applicants who would otherwise be disadvantaged by competing for a course offer with their ATAR alone. Each course has places allocated to students applying through the scheme. Please note that all offers, regardless of the entry pathway, are subject to course quotas.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Can I apply for a scholarship?
Absolutely. When applying for a course, you should always check the scholarships you might be eligible for. Browse our full range of scholarships – you may be eligible for more than one.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Do I need to do anything after receiving an early conditional offer?
Make sure you have also applied for the scheme through VTAC by preferencing your chosen course using the Deakin Regional Access Scheme VTAC code. You must successfully complete Year 12 and meet the entry requirements for your chosen course. Finally, you’ll need to accept your offer by enrolling to study in Trimester 1, 2025. You can expect further instructions on how to enrol after receiving your Deakin offer.
For more information on future student services and courses:
What is the difference between Deakin’s Regional and Remote Entry Scheme and the Deakin Regional Access Scheme?
Our Regional and Remote Entry Scheme only includes select Health courses and is for applicants from a rural or regional area. The Deakin Regional Access Scheme includes a wide variety of courses and applicants do not have to be from a rural or regional area to apply. Deakin Regional Access Scheme allows applicants to receive an early, conditional offer to study at Deakin.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Will I be told if I'm not successful?
Once you submit your Deakin Regional Access Scheme application form, one of our team members will confirm that your application has been received, whether additional information is required, or whether conditional entry has been met.
Your final course offer will be made through the VTAC system. If you are unsuccessful in receiving an offer through VTAC, please contact us to discuss your options.
For more information on future student services and courses:
Rankings and footnotes
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
^All courses at Deakin have a minimum ATAR requirement of 50. Plus, make sure you check the entry requirements on the course page for any specific course prerequisites.
Get in touch
Our future student advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your course and career options, scholarships and pathways into Deakin.
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1800 693 888
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