Deakin Engagement and Access Program

We believe that university should be an opportunity available to everyone. Our Deakin Engagement and Access Program (DEAP) supports students' aspirations and confidence to make decisions about their future educational and career pathways.

Supporting future students

Through an exciting range of engagement and access programs, we work closely with students to help build their learner confidence and offer experiences of university life.

School programs

We run programs with partner primary and secondary schools to build on the aspirations of young people to participate in higher education.

Discover our school programs

Community partnerships

We work closely with community and specialist organisations to help widen participation and maximise opportunities for young people.

Learn about our partnerships

Support and resources

We have many resources to help students, teachers, parents and carers to learn more about university study options and pathways.

Explore our resources

About DEAP

We work with partner schools and community organisations to improve access to university for students who may have been traditionally underrepresented in higher education. DEAP programs are made possible thanks to the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) funding provided by the Commonwealth of Australia, and aim to:

  • familiarise students with, and build aspiration for, higher education
  • introduce university as a desirable and achievable pathway
  • support the development of students' self-efficacy and learner confidence to enhance educational engagement and achievement
  • support schools to prepare students for the transition to university
  • engage parents and carers in supporting young people within partner school communities.

Register your interest

We welcome expressions of interest from schools wishing their students take part in any of our programs or activities. Some activities have limited availability, so we suggest registering as early as possible.

Register now

Partner schools

DEAP works in partnership with a targeted group of primary and secondary schools in Melbourne’s outer-east and western suburbs, Geelong and Barwon regions and south-west Victoria to deliver a range of evidence-based in-school and on-campus activities.

We currently work with the following schools:

Melbourne – outer eastern suburbs

  • Carwatha College P–12
  • Cranbourne Secondary College
  • Croydon Community School
  • Dandenong High School
  • Doveton College
  • Fountain Gate Secondary College
  • Hallam Senior College (10–12)
  • Keysborough Secondary College (Acacia)
  • Keysborough Secondary College (Banksia)
  • Kurunjang Secondary College
  • Upper Yarra Secondary College

Melbourne – western suburbs

  • Hoppers Crossing Secondary College
  • Manor Lakes SC (P–12)
  • Staughton College
  • Sunshine College
  • Tarneit P–9 College
  • The Gordon Institute of TAFE VCE
  • The Grange P–12 College
  • Wyndham Central Secondary College

Geelong and Barwon regions

  • Bellarine Secondary College
  • Geelong High School
  • Newcomb Secondary College
  • North Geelong Secondary College
  • Northern Bay College – Hendy Campus
  • Northern Bay P–12 College
  • Northern Bay College – Peacock Campus
  • Northern Bay College – Tallis Campus
  • Northern Bay College – Wexford Campus
  • Western Heights College

South-west Victoria

  • Baimbridge College
  • Balmoral K-12 Community College
  • Brauer College
    Camperdown College P–12
  • Casterton Secondary College
  • Cobden Technical School
  • Colac Secondary College
  • Cudgee Primary School
  • Derrinallum College P–12
  • Edenhope College
  • Goroke P–12 College
  • Hawkesdale P–12 College
  • Heywood and District Secondary College
  • Kaniva College
  • Koroit and District Primary School
  • Mortlake P–12 College
  • Panmure Primary School
  • Portland Secondary
  • Terang College
  • Timboon P–12 School
  • Warrnambool College
  • West Warrnambool Primary
  • Nhill College

Mentors of Deakin Squad

Our Mentors of Deakin Squad (MoD Squad) supports young people to build aspirations and greater awareness of university as a desirable and achievable goal. Assisting DEAP to facilitate program activities, the MoD squad are a passionate team of Deakin students with a commitment to social justice. They provide support and foster opportunities for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in higher education.

The effort you all put into your program is outstanding! We always have the most seamless, wonderful experiences working with Deakin and our students' feedback is always incredibly positive.

Careers Counsellor

Dandenong High School

Contact us

For further information about DEAP, or any of our programs and activities, please get in touch.

Email DEAP
+61 3 9278 7817