Access La Trobe University

Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)

The Special Entry and Access Scheme (SEAS) is for applicants whose education has been adversely affected in the long term by their life circumstances. A SEAS application may assist students who do not receive their desired ATAR.

A SEAS application allows selection officers to grant extra consideration for course entry, but it is not used as a replacement for course entry requirements. Consideration of applications may relax some aspects of the specific course entry requirements, but not exempt them. 

If you are applying for University as a mature age (over 21 years old) person, you should complete the ‘Personal Information and location’ category, as well as any other categories that apply to your circumstances.
 
To be eligible to apply for SEAS you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, OR hold a permanent Australian visa.

Select the SEAS category below that best describes your circumstances:

1. Personal Information and location: including applicants from rural or isolated areas, mature age consideration and Indigenous Australians.

2. Non-English Speaking Background

3. Difficult Circumstances
4. Disadvantaged Financial Background
5. Disability or Medical Condition
6. School Access La Trobe (SALT)

To complete a SEAS application you must first register with VTAC and complete and submit a course application form. You can then access the SEAS application form.

1. Personal Information and location

Your completion of this category allows the university to take into account an applicant’s age, the postcode of your home or secondary school, and whether you have Indigenous Australian heritage.  Further information regarding age is available at www.latrobe.edu.au/mature-age.

For further information regarding the services available to Indigenous Australians studying at La Trobe University, please see the La Trobe University Indigenous Australian Student Services web page.

2. Students from a Non-English Speaking Background

If you have been in Australia for less than 10 years, and speak a language other than English in your home, you can use this category of the Special Entry Access Scheme.

Students from a non-English speaking background may find the services and resources available from the Academic Language and Learning Unit useful.

3. Diffcult Circumstances

La Trobe University recognises that some students have experienced difficult circumstances during their high school years which have prevented them from reaching their potential in their VCE. The types of difficulties experienced may be such things as having a refugee background, homelessness, bullying, long term illness or death of a family member, family disruption due to alcoholism or drug addiction, divorce / separation of parents, excessive family responsibilities, or affects of a natural disaster e.g. drought, bushfires or floods.

Once you have accepted a place at the University, make sure you also use our Student Support Services whenever you need to.

The University also provides a support program for students with a refugee/asylum seeker background. Talk to a Refugee Contact Officer of you need assistance to complete a course application, a SEAS application or an equity scholarship application.

4. Students from a Disadvantaged Financial Background

If you have been prevented from developing your full academic potential as a result of your family’s financial circumstances you may include this category in your application. You should also apply for an Equity Scholarship. The Scholarship application form is available from the VTAC website, and you can use the same supporting documentation as you use for your SEAS application.

If you are planning to rent accommodation once you commence university and you need help to pay the bond, you may be eligible for a Bond Loan from the Victorian Department of Housing.

If you are under 25 years old and dependent on your family, you can find out how much Youth Allowance you will receive from Centrelink by using the Student Income Estimator. 

If you are over 25 years old you can apply at Centrelink for Austudy.

We also recognise that you may be the first in your family to attend University, and we encourage you to use the many free support services provided by the University. These support services will give you the best possible chance at succeeding in your studies.

If you need to relocate in order to study at university you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Relocation Scholarship. View the Centrelink Relocation Scholarship webpage.

To find out if the area you live in is classified as outer regional or remote, please see the maps at the Australian Governments Special Arrangements for Students Disadvantaged by Distance Webpage.

The university accommodation services may help you to find somewhere to live while you study.

5. Students with a disability or medical contdition

La Trobe University welcomes students who have a disability, and the University recognises that you may require some additional assistance to succeed in a University program.

A Disability Advisor can meet with you to see if you need any adjustments or special accommodations in your program of study. There is a comprehensive range of disability support services available to help you succeed in your chosen field of study.

6. School Access La Trobe (SALT)

If you are a Year 12 student and you attend a secondary school which is a designated SALT school, you are eligible to apply under this category. For further information see the Future Students SALT webpage.