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Applications for mid-year SEAS are open.

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What is the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)?

If there have been circumstances that have affected your study, you should consider putting in a special consideration application via VTAC’s Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS). SEAS is designed to make sure institutions get a sense of your full potential and it enables institutions to consider the circumstances you have experienced and their impact upon your studies when making selection decisions.

  • SEAS helps institutions understand your full potential by considering the circumstances you have experienced.
  • SEAS allows institutions to grant special consideration for course entry.
  • SEAS does not exempt you from meeting the institutional and course requirements.

For video guide, view our What is SEAS and how does it work? explainer video which also describes why each applicant should at least apply for Category 1.

Other special consideration programs

While most institutions participate in SEAS, there are still some institutions that run their own programs outside of the VTAC process. For further information refer to Special consideration programs by institution. 

SEAS and graduate-entry teaching

Only some graduate-entry teaching courses consider SEAS applications. To check, see 'Essential requirements and admission criteria' in the course entry.

SEAS application dates

SEAS applications are currently closed.

Special Entry Access Schemes (SEAS) applicationsOpenClose 

SEAS applications and supporting documentation for 2024 mid-year intake

8 April (9am)

7 June (5pm)

» Applicants must submit a course application to activate the SEAS application in their VTAC Account.

 
SEAS applications and supporting documentation for 2025 intake 29 July 11 October (5pm)

If you applied for SEAS during 2024 intake, you will be able to access the same VTAC account and SEAS application using your existing VTAC ID and password during the mid-year application period.

Find all VTAC dates on the Dates and fees page.  

Eligibility for SEAS

You are eligible to apply for SEAS if you hold:

  • Australian or New Zealand citizenship
  • a permanent Australian residency visa, or
  • an eligible temporary protection, safe haven, or humanitarian visa holder, or bridging visa holder applying for humanitarian visa - see here for more information.

Additionally, you need to have applied for a course through VTAC and met the course and institutional requirements. SEAS only becomes available once you have lodged a course application.  

Most international Australian Year 12 applicants are not eligible for SEAS and are encouraged to contact institutions directly to see if other entry and access programs are available. However, asylum seekers on certain visa subclasses can apply for SEAS.

SEAS categories

There are four categories in SEAS. You can apply for one or more categories that are relevant to your situation, so long as you apply to each category for a different reason. Further information about each of these categories is available from the links below.

Visit institutions that recognise SEAS, to find out which categories each institution recognises.

Applying for SEAS

You must submit a course application before applying for SEAS. If you are eligible, SEAS will be available in your account after you lodge your course application. You must fill out at least one category and pay your application fee for your SEAS application to be valid.

Visit the applying for SEAS page for step-by-step instructions.

Note: It is best to get started on your SEAS application as early as possible. SEAS applications may take several weeks to complete, depending on the category. This is because some categories require supporting evidence, such as a statement of support from someone who can verify your circumstances. For more information on the types of evidence that you may be required to provide, please visit our evidence for SEAS page.

How might a SEAS application affect your course application?

Generally, SEAS allows institutions to grant special consideration for course entry. This is considered on a course-by-course basis by individual institutions.

SEAS might increase your chance of being selected to a course

A SEAS application does not exempt you from meeting any of the institutional and course entry requirements. You must still complete the requirements listed under ‘essential requirements and admission criteria’ for each course you apply to, including prerequisites.

SEAS does not change your educational results or qualifications.

A SEAS application does not guarantee you an offer.

You will not receive notification of your SEAS application outcome.  Questions about how SEAS is used should be directed to institutions.

Video explainer: what is SEAS?

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Transcript of the video

What is SEAS?

SEAS stands for Special Entry Access Scheme. It's also known as special consideration. It compensates for educational disadvantage by making your application more competitive.

It does this by increasing your selection rank for the courses you're applying for. Your selection rank begins with your ATAR, and it can go up with adjustments, such as SEAS. Remember that SEAS lifts your selection rank, not your ATAR.

SEAS can either increase your selection rank or have no impact. This means that SEAS cannot disadvantage your application in any way. Each institution applies special consideration differently. This means that your selection rank can differ across your preferences.

SEAS is split into 4 categories:

Category 1 - Personal information & location
Category 2 - Disadvantaged financial background
Category 3 - Disability or medical condition
Category 4 - Difficult circumstances

And you can apply for as many as are relevant to your circumstances.

For more information, visit www.vtac.edu.au or call our team on (03) 9926 1020.

Learn more about SEAS