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.

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

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