Careers & Pathways
A guide to Access and Equity Scheme applications
The VTAC Equity and Access Scheme (formerly SEAS) allows students to receive ATAR adjustments to account for educational disadvantage caused by personal circumstances. It ensures Victorian tertiary institutions can consider a student’s full potential by granting special consideration for factors such as financial hardship, regional location, disability, or challenging family and life circumstances.
After submitting their course preferences and paying the VTAC application fee, Year 12 students can complete an Equity and Access Scheme application. There are four categories available, and students may apply for as many as are relevant to their situation.
Personal information and location
All students are assessed for this category automatically and there is no requirement to provide additional evidence.
This category applies to students experiencing financial difficulties in the form of Centrelink benefits or similar.
Supporting documentation is required such as a CRN, benefit statements or an impact statement and statement of support.
Living with a disability or medical condition
This category applies to a student who has suffered from an illness or disability that may have impacted their education
An impact statement must be completed by the student and a statement of support must be provided by a healthcare professional.
Difficult family and life circumstances
This category applies to students who have been impacted by circumstances that are not covered by any other category. This may include illness of a close family member, natural disasters or other circumstances.
An impact statement must be completed by the student and a statement of support must be provided by a responsible adult.
Current Year 12 students should upload supporting documentation as soon as possible (ideally by 18 September) and speak to me if there are any issues.
Additional VTAC Support
Please keep note of the below key dates over the coming months.
Early entry programs
Many universities, including Latrobe, ACU and Swinburne, offer early entry programs that Year 12 students can apply for throughout June-November (application period depends on the university). Applying for these courses means that students may receive an offer to a course based on their Year 11 results and co-curricular and community involvement prior to sitting exams in October & November, which can alleviate a lot of pressure.
Information regarding all early entry programs for 2027 study can be found on HT Connect here.
Please note the following key dates apply for early entry programs that are popular with HT students:
| Program | Closing Date for 2026 applications |
|---|---|
| Latrobe Aspire Program | 4 September 2026 |
| ACU Guarantee | 15 September 2026 |
| Swinburne Early Entry Program | 27 November 2026 |
Upcoming Events
Universities continue to offer a range of onsite and online activities including campus tours and course information sessions. Please see the details below regarding dates and how to register for these events. Even if you have missed a session of interest, you should still be able to register to receive the recording if the event was held online. As always, I highly recommend students in Years 10-12 use these events to assist with their planning and decision making.
What’s on | Relevant to: | When? | Further information and registration |
|---|---|---|---|
Melbourne University: Girls’ Programming Network | Female students in Years 8 - 12 who are interested in computer programming | Saturday 29 August Saturday 10 October | |
| Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholar's Program | Year 10 students | Applications open now and close 30 August | |
| Melbourne University - Hands on Design | Year 9 - 12 students interested in design & architecture | 30 September | |
| Camp SEEK 2026 | Girls and non-binary students in Years 9 & 10 | 21 – 24 September | |
| RMIT Campus Tours | Years 10 - 12 | Various dates | |
| Melbourne University campus tours | Years 10 - 12 | Various dates | |
| Swinburne University campus tours | Years 10 - 12 | Various dates | |
| Discover Monash Course Information Series | Years 10 -12 | Various dates throughout 2026 | |
| ACU VCE Revision lectures (free, online) | Year 10 - 12 | 24 - 27 August | |
| Monash University VCE revision lectures ($10, Clayton campus) | Unit 3/4 students – Biology, Geography, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Physics, Maths Methods | 21 - 24 September | |
| ACU Guided Tours | Year 10-12 students | Saturday 19 September - Melbourne campus Tuesday 22 September - Ballarat campus Tuesday 29 September - Melbourne campus | |
| Latrobe (Melbourne campus) Guided Tours | Year 10-12 students | Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 September | |
| Melbourne Zoo: Voice for Wildlife program | 14-18 year olds interested in animal wildlife. $495 for Zoo members, $550 for non-Zoo members | Monday 21 - Thursday 24 September | |
| Monash University campus tours | Year 10 - 12 students | Parkville: Monday 21 September Clayton: Tuesday 22 & 29 September Peninsula: Tuesday 22 September Caulfield: Tuesday 29 September | |
| Monash University Experience workshop days | Students interested in Architecture and Design | Tuesday 22 & Wednesday 23 September | |
| Monash University Health student experience day | Students interested in Physiotherapy, OT, Paramedicine, Speech Pathology & Nursing & Midwifery | Tuesday 22 September | |
| RMIT Student for a day | Year 10-12 students | Wednesday 30 September | |
| SAE Institute - Create for a Day | Students interested in studying design courses - $25 | Saturday 3 October | |
| Whitehorse Institute of Design workshops | Students interested in studying design courses | Studio Lighting & Fashion Photography: Monday 21 September - $99 Foundational Sewing workshop: Saturday 19 September - $25 |
|
| William Angliss Institute Patisserie Experience Day | Year 10-12 students interested in Cookery and Hospitality - $45 | Tuesday 22 September |
Additional Resources
Please take some time to explore the Careers and Pathways page on HT Connect. You will find links to the VTAC course search page and the Career Bullseyes, as well as information on various courses, gap years, non-ATAR pathways and much more. There is even a jobs board to help with finding a casual job!
Alison Howard
Careers Pathway Advisor