At Deakin, the Living with a disability or medical condition category includes special consideration for students who are living with, or studying while managing, a disability or medical condition. This includes a wide range of conditions, such as learning, physical, sensory, psychiatric, mental health and other medical conditions, illness or disabilities.
| Category | Consideration given | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Living with a disability or medical condition | Up to 10 aggregate points | For students who have experienced disadvantage as a result of disability, illness or medical condition. |
A successful application for special consideration can be the difference between receiving an offer or missing out. The process differs slightly depending on the category you’re applying for – any additional documentation or evidence required is clearly outlined as you move through the application process, via VTAC or the Deakin Application Portal.
You're currently in Year 12 or you completed Year 12 in the last two years. Special consideration will be applied in the form of an ATAR adjustment.
You left secondary education more than two years ago or you completed Year 12 in the last two years and are applying for one course only. If your application is successful, you’ll be offered a place in a course.
When applying for VTAC Living with a disability or medical condition special consideration, you may be prompted to submit an impact statement. It should clearly outline the nature and timeline of your circumstances, and how they’ve impacted your studies. The more descriptive you are, the stronger your statement will be.
Compare these two statements.
'I lived in a rural area when I studied. My postcode was 3322.'
'I lived in a rural area and this meant that I travelled by bus for a long period of time. I am also prone to motion sickness, which meant I couldn't use this time to study as other students did. I would leave home each morning at 7am to catch the bus and arrive home around 5.30pm at night. This impacted my ability to study and I would often be up late at night completing assignments just because of this situation. I often found I was tired and this affected my ability to concentrate in the classroom.'
The first statement, while factual, doesn't outline the impact the circumstances have had on you. The second statement is much more informative regarding the impact experienced and will give the selection officer a better picture of your circumstances.
There are various ways for you to study at Deakin – we have a range of access programs to suit all types of circumstances. We offer guaranteed ATARs, schemes for rural and regional students, and programs for athletes and Indigenous students so everyone can achieve their study dreams.
Tuition fees at Deakin vary depending on the course you choose and the type of student you are. Find out how to calculate your course fees, as well as how to apply for scholarships and government loans – we're here to help you reach your goals.
This scholarship supports students who experience financial or personal hardship, yet display passion, perseverance and commitment to study. You could receive up to $10,000 per year.
Services Australia's Tertiary Access Payment is a one-off payment of up to $5000, designed to help you with the cost of moving to study. If you've just completed Year 12 and you're from a regional or remote home location, why not apply for this payment.
There’s nothing more important than your health. From the moment you enrol, you’ll have access to a huge range of health and wellbeing services that cater for every aspect of your health. From registered psychologists and doctors, to physios and health coaches, you can expect all the services you’d find at a doctor’s surgery and more.
On top of that, Deakin's Disability Resource Centre (DRC) provides services and support for students whose university life is impacted by a disability or medical condition. In partnership with a Disability Liaison Officer, the DRC can identify additional support opportunities that allow Deakin to better meet your study needs.
Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
Our student advisers can help with your application and provide step-by-step guidance on the application process.
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