Equity schemes & scholarships

VTAC Equity Schemes (SEAS)

VTAC offers a central equity schemes (SEAS) application that covers a range of access and equity programs provided by institutions. Applying through VTAC allows institutions to assess your full potential during the selection process by considering the challenges you have faced and how they have impacted your studies.

How Equity Schemes Work

Equity schemes help compensate for educational disadvantage by making your application more competitive. This is done by increasing your selection rank for the courses you apply to. Adjustments made through your equity schemes application raise your selection rank above your ATAR, but they do not change your ATAR itself.

Institutional Participation

While most institutions participate in VTAC’s SEAS, some run their own separate programs outside of the VTAC process. For more details, refer to Special consideration programs by institution.

Difficult Family and Life Circumstances

This category applies to applicants whose educational potential has been negatively affected by family or other life circumstances. The circumstances considered under this category include, but are not limited to:

• Refugee or asylum seeker status
• Domestic, family, or sexual violence
• Homelessness or formal out-of-home care
• Natural disasters
• Other significant challenges, such as:
  • Death or long-term illness of a family member
  • Disruptions to family or educational environment

  • Discrimination or bullying

If you have experienced difficult family or life circumstances that have impacted your education, we strongly encourage you to apply.

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Application details and any supporting documents must be submitted by the equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships deadline. Visit the VTAC dates page for the full list of key dates and deadlines.

How to Apply for Difficult Family and Life Circumstances in Your SEAS Application  

1. Log in to your VTAC account.
2. Navigate to your Equity Schemes (SEAS) and Scholarships application.
3. Under the "Difficult Family and Life Circumstances" heading, select "Yes" in response to the question:
   "Have difficult family and life circumstances impacted your study, or will it impact your study in the future?"
4. Scroll down and click "Save", then select "Add or edit this category" for Difficult Family and Life Circumstances.
   • Note: also respond “Yes/No” to any other categories that apply to you

5. Select the years of study impacted by your circumstances and choose the options that best describe your situation.

   • You will be asked to provide additional details depending on your selections throughout the form
6. Once you have finished inputting the details in the form, click "Save and continue".
7. Complete the required fields within any additional categories, then scroll to the bottom of the form and click "Save/Submit".
8. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation of submission in your VTAC inbox.

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If You Have Already Lodged an Equity Schemes & Scholarships Application

1. From your VTAC account landing page, click "My Access and Equity Application."
2. On the "Equity Schemes and Scholarships Application" page, select "Yes" in response to:
   "Have difficult family and life circumstances impacted your study, or will they impact your study in the future?"
3. Click "Add or edit this category."
4. Select the years of study affected and choose the options that best describe your circumstances.
   • Depending on your selections, you may need to provide additional details on how these circumstances have impacted your education.
5. Once all required details have been entered, click "Save and Continue."
6. If no further changes are needed, click "Save/Submit."
7. If your changes are successfully saved, you will see a confirmation page, and a confirmation email will be sent to your registered email address.

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Providing Evidence for Difficult Family and Life Circumstances

After submitting your application, you may be required to provide supporting evidence. For advice on the evidence requirements for each category, visit Providing Evidence for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships page. For guidance on how to provide supporting evidence, visit the Providing Evidence page.

Financial Hardship Consideration

The following types of circumstances may be considered under this category. This list is not exhaustive but serves as a guide to the types of financial disadvantage that may be taken into account:

• Receiving Centrelink benefits
• Being a dependent of a parent or guardian who receives Centrelink benefits
• Experiencing excessive financial obligations
• Facing individual or family economic hardship
• Living in individual or family poverty

If you believe you are eligible for this category, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Application details and any supporting documents must be submitted by the equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships deadline. Visit the VTAC dates page for the full list of key dates and deadlines.

How to Apply for Financial Hardship in Your SEAS Application  

1. Log in to your VTAC account.
2. Navigate to your Equity Schemes (SEAS) and Scholarships application.
3. Under the "Financial Hardship" heading, select "Yes" in response to the question:
   "Has financial hardship impacted your study, or will it impact your study in the future?"
4. Scroll down and click "Save", then select "Add or edit this category" for Financial Hardship.
   • Note: also respond “Yes/No” to any other categories that apply to you
5. Enter the details of your claim and click "Save and continue".
6. Complete the required fields within any additional categories, then scroll to the bottom of the form and click "Save/Submit".
7. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation of submission in your VTAC inbox.

Providing Evidence for Financial Hardship

After submitting your application, you may be required to provide supporting evidence. For advice on the evidence requirements for each category, visit Providing Evidence for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships page. For guidance on how to provide supporting evidence, visit the Providing Evidence page.

Equity Schemes (SEAS) and Scholarships

Equity schemes (SEAS) help compensate for educational disadvantage by making your application more competitive, and scholarships provide financial assistance to help with your studies. If you are eligible for Equity Schemes (SEAS) and Scholarships, this option will become available in your VTAC account after you have lodged a course application. You must submit your Equity Schemes (SEAS) and Scholarships application and provide any supporting evidence by the due date. Refer to VTAC dates for more information.

Equity schemes (SEAS) & Scholarships Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships if you hold one of the following:

• Australian or New Zealand citizenship

• A permanent Australian residency visa

• An eligible temporary protection, safe haven, or humanitarian visa, or a bridging visa while applying for a humanitarian visa – see here for more information

Once you submit an equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships application you will be considered for an adjustment according to the categories you apply for and any supporting documentation.

Additional Requirements

To apply for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships, you must have submitted a course application through VTAC.

International Year 12 Applicants

Most international Australian Year 12 applicants are not eligible to apply for for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships. Instead, they are encouraged to contact institutions directly to explore other entry and access programs.

Equity Schemes (SEAS) and Scholarships:   Equity schemes (SEAS) help compensate for educational disadvantage by making your application more competitive, and scholarships provide financial assistance to help with your studies. Scholarships are not just for academic achievement, you may be eligible based on the same circumstances as a SEAS application. If you are eligible for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships, this option will become available in your VTAC account after you have lodged a course application.

Detailed information for each category can be accessed through the links below:

• Personal information and location

• Disadvantaged financial background

• Disability or medical condition

• Difficult circumstances

  Personal information and location is automatically considered, and you only need to select the additional categories relevant to your circumstances.   You must submit your Equity Schemes and Scholarships application and provide all supporting evidence by the due date. Refer to VTAC dates for more information.   How to Apply:  

1. Navigate to the Equity Schemes (SEAS) and Scholarships Application page
   • Select "My equity and access application" from your VTAC dashboard. This option will become available after you have submitted and paid for your course application.
2. Complete the Equity Schemes (SEAS) and Scholarships Application form
   • Answer “Yes/No” to each of the categories, note Personal information and location is automatically considered, and you only need to select the additional categories relevant to your circumstances.
   • Click “Save/Submit” to begin your application
   • Click “Add or edit this category” for each category that applies to you, and fill in the details. Click “Save and continue” to return to the application page
   • Complete the Additional Statements section on the application page to be considered for scholarships
   • Once you have completed all of the required fields, click “Save/Submit” to confirm your application details
3. Navigate to the Providing Evidence page to submit the required supporting documentation
   • Click “Upload Document” to attach supporting evidence, or request an Online Statement of Support
   • For advice on the evidence requirements for each category, visit Providing Evidence for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships page
   • For guidance on how to provide supporting evidence, visit the Providing Evidence page

  Important note:

If you submit your application and documents early, VTAC can provide advice on any additional documents that may be required. Make sure you apply for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships and provide supporting evidence as early as possible to ensure you are properly considered for an adjustment, or any equity scholarships.

 

Statement of Support

A Statement of Support is a type of evidence required for a number of circumstances in the Equity Schemes (SEAS) & Scholarships application. This document helps verify your circumstances and ensures your application is properly assessed for adjustments.

The Statement of Support should contain:

• Confirmation of your circumstances
• The timeline of when they occurred and whether they are ongoing
• A detailed description of how these circumstances have impacted your education
• Contact details of the person providing the statement

Who Can Provide a Statement of Support?

The statement must be written by someone who meets the criteria of a responsible person. A responsible person:

• Is 21 years of age or older
• Has known you for at least 12 months or for the entire duration of the circumstance(s), whichever is shorter
• Is not related to you by birth, marriage, de facto relationship, or any other personal relationship
• Does not live with you

Important Note: A Medical Practitioner is required to complete statements of support for Disability or Medical Condition category.

How to Submit a Statement of Support

1. Click “Upload Document” on the Providing Evidence page
2. Send an online statement of support to your responsible person to submit the statement electronically
   • Click “Yes” under “Request online statement of support”

3. Upload a completed form to your VTAC account.

   • You can download a statement of support template by clicking “download and print a blank statement of support”

Application details and any supporting documents must be submitted by the equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships deadline. Visit the VTAC dates page for the full list of key dates and deadlines.

  Additional Information   For advice on the evidence requirements for each category, visit Providing Evidence for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships page. For guidance on how to provide supporting evidence, visit the Providing Evidence page.

Disability or Medical Condition

This category applies to applicants who have faced educational disadvantage due to a learning, physical, sensory, psychiatric, or mental health condition, illness, or disability. The following list provides examples of the types of conditions that may be considered:

Eligible Conditions:

• Neurodevelopmental disorder
• Physical disability
• Psychosocial disability
• Acquired brain injury (ABI)
• Neurological disability
• Vision, hearing, or speech/language impairment
• Major illness

• Medical condition

If you believe you are eligible for this category, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Application details and any supporting documents must be submitted by the equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships deadline. Visit the VTAC dates page for the full list of key dates and deadlines.

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How to Apply for "Living with a Disability or Medical Condition" in Your Equity Schemes Application

1. Log in to your VTAC account.
2. Click on the "Equity Schemes and Scholarships" tab and select the option with the same name.
3. Under the "Living with a disability or medical condition" heading, select "Yes" in response to the question:
   "Has living with a disability or medical condition impacted your study, or will it impact your study in the future?"
4. Scroll down and click "Save", then select "Add or edit this category."
   • Note: also respond “Yes/No” to any other categories that apply to you
5. Click “Add disability or medical condition” to add the details of your claim
6. Describe the impact on your education, then click "Save and continue."
7. Complete the required fields within any additional categories, then scroll to the bottom of the form and click "Save/Submit".
8. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation of submission in your VTAC inbox.

Providing Evidence for Disability or Medical Condition

You are required to provide supporting evidence for Disability or Medical Condition circumstances. For advice on the evidence requirements for each category, visit Providing Evidence for equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships page. For guidance on how to provide supporting evidence, visit the Providing Evidence page.

Scholarship Statements

Providing additional statements is mandatory for you to be considered for scholarships through VTAC. Scholarships are awarded for equity circumstances, not just for academic achievement.

Note: Scholarships are not available through VTAC for Mid-year (semester two) intake. Institutions may offer direct scholarship methods for both Main Round (semester one) and Mid-year (semester two) intakes, please consult the direct scholarships page for more information.

Tips for a Strong Scholarship Benefit Statement

• Clearly outline how a scholarship will assist your studies.
• Emphasise the benefits a scholarship would provide for your education and future goals.

  Within the scholarship statements section there is a further options for Community service and leadership statement, where you can highlight any relevant experiences or contributions.

Automatic Consideration for Personal Information and Location

Applicants eligible for Equity Schemes (SEAS) & Scholarships are automatically considered under Personal Information and Location when submitting their course application. The information provided in your account will be used for assessment, so no additional evidence is required.

To verify that you are opted into this category, visit the Manage Permissions page in your VTAC account.

Visit the Personal Information and Location category page for more information.