Adjustment factors

The Universities Equity Scheme will apply adjustments in two ways:

• to all applicants in certain specified schools
• to eligible applicants in other schools.

These applicants receive 5 adjustment points in the calculation of their university aggregate.

The Scheme applies to all courses offered by our participating institutions.

School-based adjustments

South Australian and Northern Territory schools qualify for equity adjustments using criteria which consider:

• the school’s remoteness as defined under the Australian Standard Geographical Classification
• the ‘participation rate’ (the percentage of students in each school gaining an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR))
• the mean ATAR achieved in each school
• the school’s Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage

Interstate schools qualify for equity adjustments using a subset of these criteria.

Schools qualify on an annual basis when data for all criteria becomes available. The classification of individual schools may change from year to year.

You don’t need to apply for a school-based adjustment. SATAC will adjust your university aggregate and your selection ranks automatically.

Eligible schools in South Australia and the Northern Territory

To download a list of schools in South Australia and the Northern Territory whose students completing the SACE/NTCET in 2023 will qualify for equity adjustments under the Universities Equity Scheme for entry to university in 2024, click the link below.

Universities Equity Scheme - eligible schools SA/NT 2023

Students with an existing ATAR

If you have already achieved an ATAR from a non-qualifying school and then enrol in a qualifying school to improve your ATAR you will not be eligible for school-based equity adjustments.

You can still apply for individual equity adjustments.

Individual adjustments

Applicants in other schools can make an application under the scheme to show their individual disadvantage. Applicants will be eligible if, during the school year they gain their ATAR:

• they or their parents receive a Commonwealth means-tested income support payment
• they or their parents are the holders of a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card
• they are the holder of a School Card (under the Government of South Australia’s School Card scheme)

SATAC keeps a record of applicants who receive an individual equity adjustment. If you apply through SATAC in the future, and you are eligible on the basis of your Year 12 results, your selection rank will be adjusted.

How to apply for individual adjustments

You can apply for individual adjustments as part of your SATAC undergraduate application.

For more information about individual adjustments read our frequently asked questions.

The Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme encourages students to strengthen their preparation for higher studies by studying a language other than English, or specified English and Mathematics subjects.

The Scheme applies to most undergraduate courses. The exceptions are:

Charles Darwin University

• 104661 Bachelor of Clinical Sciences

Flinders University

• 214941 Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine

The University of Adelaide

• 354552 Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine
• 354553 Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine (Bonded Medical Program)
• 324491 Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience)

SATAC will adjust your aggregate by either 2 points (for one eligible subject) or 4 points (for 2 or more eligible subjects).

To be eligible you must successfully complete a subject in any one of these four categories:

• 20 credits of a LOTE in the Languages Learning Area (not including the subject Language and Culture)*
• 2ESH20 English or 2ELS20 English Literary Studies
• 2MHS20 Mathematical Methods
• 2MSC20 Specialist Mathematics

* You can substitute a 20 credit LOTE subject for two 10 credit Australian Indigenous language subjects

Successful completion means gaining a minimum grade of C- or better in the subject. Extra adjustments are not awarded for higher achievement

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate Diploma in Australia, or other Australian senior secondary certificates, are also eligible for subject-based adjustments.

International Year 12 students are eligible for the Universities Equity Scheme if they are enrolled at a school in Australia that is eligible for school-based adjustments in 2023.

Applicants in other schools can apply for individual adjustments.

International Year 12 students are eligible for the Universities Language, Literacy, and Mathematics Scheme. Note that this scheme does not apply to all courses.