About RMIT's equity access schemes

RMIT’s access schemes ensure that people from the widest range of backgrounds have an opportunity to access RMIT programs.

Equity access schemes

Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) and RMIT Access

Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) - for VTAC applicants
RMIT Access - for direct applicants

A SEAS or RMIT Access application allows RMIT to apply equity-related adjustments to your selection rank, by taking into consideration circumstances that have affected your performance in your studies. 

You can apply if you are a mature age applicant, an Indigenous Australian, from a regional or rural area, from a non-English speaking background, a female applying for a program in which women are under-represented, living with a disability or medical condition, have experienced disadvantaged financial circumstances, and/or have experienced difficult circumstances.

For programs that select on ATAR, this takes the form of an adjustment to the calculation of your selection rank for a program or programs. The maximum equity adjustment you can receive when applying for SEAS or RMIT Access is 16 points (or 20 aggregate points).

For programs that select on a range of criteria, where selection is based on your performance in selection tasks such as interviews and folio presentations, you will receive an equivalent level of consideration in these selection tasks.

Schools Network Access Program (SNAP)

The SNAP access scheme provides priority entry to RMIT programs for students from designated Victorian secondary schools.

Eligible SNAP students that have an ATAR within 20 points of the lowest selection rank (including adjustments) for their preferred program or programs can receive an equity adjustment. Depending on their initial ATAR and the competitiveness of the program/s, this may deem some applicants eligible for an offer.

For programs that select on a range of criteria such as folio or interview, SNAP applicants receive equivalent consideration on their performance in these tasks.

Indigenous Access Program

The Indigenous Access Program is a priority access scheme which aims to support the increased participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in diploma and degree programs.

Under this program, consideration is given to applicants’ relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications.

All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants will be contacted by the Ngarara Willim Centre and invited to participate in the program.

 

Regional adjustments

RMIT and VTAC apply adjustments to the selection ranks of applicants from low socio-economic status areas. This applies to students applying for certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree and degree level courses that select primarily on ATAR.  

This adjustment is automatically applied – you don’t need to do anything.  

For VTAC applicants, the adjustment you can receive is derived from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data and whether your address ranks as low, medium, or high-SES based on the ABS’s Statistical Area 1 (SA1) measure. If your address is classified as LOW, you will receive an adjustment of 5 aggregate points, or up to 4 ATAR points.

For RMIT direct applications, the adjustment you can receive is determined by your postcode. This is based on a different set of ABS data – the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation. If your postcode is listed as LOW on this list of postcodes, you will receive an adjustment of 5 aggregate points, or up to 4 ATAR points. 

Frequently asked questions

To be eligible, you will need to meet the general criteria for all applicants, as well as the criteria for one or more of the equity categories. You can apply for as many categories which apply to your circumstances.

The selection rank is program specific and is produced by combining your ATAR with any adjustment factors, such as equity or subject adjustments.

The eligibility requirements for each SEAS and RMIT access categories are outlined on the Apply for equity access page. Adjustments are expressed in two ways so that you may best make use of the information:

1. The number of aggregate points you may receive to your ATAR aggregate
2. The number of ATAR points that this is equivalent to.

The size of the adjustment to your selection rank depends on the ATAR you achieve. For example, in 2020 a student with an initial ATAR of 90, who received an equity adjustment of 10 aggregate points, would have a selection rank of 93.70. A student with an ATAR of 60 who received the same equity adjustment (10 aggregate points) would have a selection rank of 67.60. See the 2020 aggregate to ATAR table for more information.

Applying for tertiary programs is a competitive process, and being allocated equity adjustments or additional consideration does not guarantee you entry to RMIT or to your preferred program. You still need to meet the program’s admission criteria and university requirements, and compete with all other applicants for a place in the program.

Yes. Equity consideration does not exempt you from having to complete selection tasks. You must complete all requirements, including attendance at interviews, folio presentations and completion of pre-selection kits.

All applicants must complete any listed prerequisite subjects and achieve the published study scores.

The only exception is the English study score requirement for Indigenous Access Program applicants and SNAP applicants applying for degree programs.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.