At Deakin, Category 4 includes special consideration for the following subcategories.
| Subcategory | Consideration given | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Refugee or asylum seeker status | Up to 10 aggregate points | For applicants who experienced circumstances that impacted their education. |
| Domestic, family and sexual violence | Up to 10 aggregate points | For applicants who experienced circumstances that impacted their education. |
| Homelessness or formal out-of-care | Up to 10 aggregate points | For applicants who experienced circumstances that impacted their education. |
| Natural disasters | Up to 10 aggregate points | For applicants whose education was impacted by a natural disaster in 2023 or 2024. |
| Other difficult family and life circumstances, including but not limited to: abusive living environment, death of an immediate family member or friend, severe family disruption, long-term illness of a family member, disrupted education due to relocation, divorce/separation, care leaver, discrimination, bullying, harassment or negative treatment, excessive family responsibility. | Up to 10 aggregate points | For applicants who experienced circumstances that impacted their education. |
A successful application for special consideration can be the difference between receiving an offer or missing out. The process differs slightly depending on the category you’re applying for – any additional documentation or evidence required is clearly outlined as you move through the application process, via VTAC or the Deakin Application Portal.
You're currently in Year 12 or you completed Year 12 in the last two years. Special consideration will be applied in the form of an ATAR adjustment.
You left secondary education more than two years ago or you completed Year 12 in the last two years and are applying for one course only. If your application is successful, you’ll be offered a place in a course.
When applying for VTAC SEAS Category 4: Difficult circumstances, you may be prompted to submit an impact statement. It should clearly outline the nature and timeline of your circumstances, and how they’ve impacted your studies. The more descriptive you are, the stronger your statement will be.
Compare these two statements.
'I lived in a rural area when I studied. My postcode was 3322.'
'I lived in a rural area and this meant that I travelled by bus for a long period of time. I am also prone to motion sickness, which meant I couldn't use this time to study as other students did. I would leave home each morning at 7am to catch the bus and arrive home around 5.30pm at night. This impacted my ability to study and I would often be up late at night completing assignments just because of this situation. I often found I was tired and this affected my ability to concentrate in the classroom.'
The first statement, while factual, doesn't outline the impact the circumstances have had on you. The second statement is much more informative regarding the impact experienced and will give the selection officer a better picture of your circumstances.
There are various ways for you to study at Deakin – we have a range of access programs to suit all types of circumstances. We offer guaranteed ATARs, schemes for rural and regional students, and programs for athletes and Indigenous students so everyone can achieve their study dreams.
Tuition fees at Deakin vary depending on the course you choose and the type of student you are. Find out how to calculate your course fees, as well as how to apply for scholarships and government loans – we're here to help you reach your goals.
This scholarship supports students who experience financial or personal hardship, yet display passion, perseverance and commitment to study. You could receive up to $10,000 per year.
You don’t have to manage difficult circumstances alone. Deakin provides a range of support services for students, including health and wellbeing and study support services.
At Deakin, your health and wellbeing are key to succeeding in your studies and making the most of university life. We have a range of services to help students and staff stay healthy and safe – physically, mentally and spiritually.
Deakin provides the support you’ll need to excel in your studies. Whether you want to improve your study skills or need help with an assignment, our online resources, student mentors and staff are here to help.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of sources.
Our student advisers can help with your application and provide step-by-step guidance on the application process.
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