Monash University Special Admissions Scheme

Monash University recognises that certain groups in the community can be under-represented in tertiary education, or have difficulty in gaining access to university studies. The Monash University Special Admissions Scheme allows granting of extra consideration for course entry to applicants who meet the scheme's selection criteria and who are citizens or permanent residents of Australia.

Applicants should note that this consideration can only be applied to applicants who meet the University's minimum entry requirements and the specific prerequisites of courses for which they are applying.

Applicants seeking entry to Monash University undergraduate degrees via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) are encouraged to apply under the Monash University Special Admissions Scheme if they fall into one of the following categories:

• Mature age entry
• Non-English speaking background
• Recognition as an Indigenous Australian
• Difficult family circumstances
• Disadvantaged socio-economic background
• Rural or isolated applicants
• Disability or long-term medical condition
• Refugee status

For more information, please see the entries for each category below.

Applicants applying for direct entry to Monash University (not via VTAC) should contact the Admissions Unit to discuss an application for the Special Admissions Scheme.

Mature age entry - non Year 12 applicants (only)

This category is for applicants who have been absent from study for some period of time. To be eligible applicants must:

• be a minimum of 21 years of age on 1 January, 2010
• provide a supporting document that details a history of their education and a statement of why they wish to return to study. They can include information on work or life experience that may be relevant to the course/s for which they have applied, why they believe they will be successful in the courses for which they have applied and can include information on circumstances that may have disadvantaged them during their education.

Non-English speaking background

This category is for applicants who:

• were born outside Australia in a non-English speaking country and
• arrived in Australia less than ten years ago

Applicants must provide certified copies of their entry visa and the front page of their passport including photograph.

Recognition as an Indigenous Australian

Monash University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme is for applicants who meet all of the following criteria:

• Are of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• Identify as person of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage.
• Are accepted as such by the community in which the applicant has been or is associated.

Indigenous applicants who have not completed secondary schooling or are of mature age may also consider applying for the Diploma in Arts (Australian Indigenous Studies) offered at the Clayton and Gippsland campuses. The diploma can form the basis for admission to a degree program. For further information contact:

Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies (CAIS)
Telephone: +61 03 9905 4200
Facsimile: +61 03 9905 5043
Email: cais@arts.monash.edu.au

Applicants are welcome to approach CAIS for course advice at any stage.

Difficult family circumstances

The following are examples of possible conditions for which Monash University would give consideration under this category:

• homelessness
• long term illness of a family member
• applicants having carer responsibilities (children, parent, siblings etc.) or excessive responsibilities in the home
• violence, abuse, alcohol/drug, criminal proceedings
• disrupted schooling for example attended three or more different schools; moved interstate during Year 12; missed long periods of Year 12 for other non-medical reasons;
• commenced schooling in Australia at the beginning of Year 12
• the death of an immediate family member or close friend
• crowded living conditions
• being required to work to support family

Applicants must provide a supporting document outlining the nature of their circumstances and how they have affected their preparation for tertiary study. Applicants must also provide evidence/supporting statement(s) from a medical practitioner, counsellor, teacher, community leader etc.

Disadvantaged socio-economic background

Applicants do not have to live in a low socio-economic status area to apply. Assessment will be based on a number of factors including income details, receipt of government benefits or Healthcare Card.

Applicants must attach evidence of income and/or receipt of Centrelink or other benefits to their application (certified copies).

Rural or isolated applicants

To confirm whether an area is a designated rural or isolated region applicants should refer to the Australian Standard Geographic Classification to determine if they are eligible under this category.

In order to apply for this category applicants must live or have lived in any of the following areas of classification:

• inner regional
• outer regional
• remote
• very remote

Disability or long-term medical condition

This category is for applicants who can demonstrate that they have a disability, impairment or long-term medical condition that has affected their studies. Applicants must be able to demonstrate how their disability or long-term medical condition has led to disadvantage in their preparation for tertiary study. Applicants should provide evidence/supporting statement(s) completed by the relevant health professional or educational practitioner.

Refugee status

Consideration of refugee status is open to domestic and international applicants who can provide evidence of having applied for a Humanitarian, Protection, Special or Refugee visa.

How to apply

To apply for the Monash University Special Admissions Scheme you must complete

1. a VTAC application for tertiary entry expressing one or more preferences for a Monash University bachelors degree course;
2. a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) - Access and Equity application.

Full details of how to complete this application are available from VTAC. Ensure that you provide all statements of support and documentary evidence as required for each category.

VTAC SEAS short term disadvantage

Previously, Year 11 and 12 students who have experienced circumstances which have disadvantaged them only in the past twelve months were able apply to VTAC for Special Year 11/12 Consideration.

Applicants who have experienced short term disadvantage specifically during their Years 11 and/or 12 studies should now apply under the relevant SEAS category.

Monash University gives special consideration for current Year 12 students who have experienced short term disadvantage specifically in Years 11 and/or 12 which have impacted on their Year 12 results (ENTER) in the following categories:

• Difficult family circumstances
• Disadvantaged socio-economic background
• Personal disability or medical condition
• Refugee status

Closing date

Applications for SEAS will open in August 2009 and close in October 2009 for consideration towards applications for study at Monash in 2010.