Adjustment Factors

Universities Equity Scheme

The Universities Equity Scheme applies adjustment factors in two ways:

• School-based adjustments – applicants in qualifying specified schools
• Individual equity adjustments – other applicants who meet the criteria (in non-qualifying schools)

Eligible applicants receive 5 adjustment points, which are added to their university aggregate.

The scheme applies to all courses offered by SATAC’s participating institutions.
 

School-based adjustments

Schools located in South Australian and Northern Territory are assessed for equity adjustments based on several factors, including:

• How remote the school is (based on the Australian Standard Geographical Classification)
• The school’s participation rate (the percentage of students who receive an ATAR)
• The school’s average ATAR
• The school’s Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage

Schools located interstate are assessed using a subset of these criteria.

If you’re uncertain, check with your school if it meets the criteria for equity adjustments. 

If you are eligible to receive any school-based adjustment points, you don’t need to apply – SATAC will automatically add them to your university aggregate and selection ranks (provided you have permitted the sharing of this information with third-party institutions in your Students Online account). 
 

Students with an existing ATAR

If you’ve already received an ATAR from a non-qualifying school and then enrol in a qualifying school to improve your ATAR, you won’t be eligible for school-based equity adjustments.

However, you can apply for individual equity adjustments. 
 

Individual equity adjustments

Applicants who completed Year 12 at non-qualifying Australian schools can apply under the Universities Equity Scheme to show their individual disadvantage. You may be eligible if during the school year you received your ATAR, you met one of the specified criteria:

• You or your parents received a Commonwealth means-tested income support payment.

• You were an NDIS participant with an approved NDIS plan and apply to commence study in 2027 onwards.

• You were eligible for a School Card (under the Government of South Australia’s School Card scheme).

• You or your parent/guardian were the holder of a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.

SATAC keeps a record of applicants who receive an individual equity adjustment. If you apply through SATAC in the future and meet the requirements based on your Year 12 results, your selection rank will be automatically updated.
 

How to apply for individual equity adjustments

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

For more information, see our frequently asked questions on individual equity adjustments.

Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme

The Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme encourages students to strengthen their preparation for tertiary studies by studying:

• a language other than English (LOTE), or
• specified English and Mathematics subjects.

The maximum points you can receive under this scheme is 4. SATAC will adjust your aggregate as follows:

• 2 points for completing one eligible subject
• 4 points for completing two or more eligible subjects

To be eligible, you must successfully* complete a subject in one of the following categories:

• 20 credits of a LOTE in the Languages Learning Area (not including the subject Language and Culture). Note: you can substitute a 20-credit LOTE subject for two 10-credit Australian Indigenous language subjects.
• 2ESH20 English or 2ELS20 English Literary Studies
• 2MHS20 Mathematical Methods
• 2MSC20 Specialist Mathematics

* Successful completion means achieving a minimum grade of C- or better. Extra points are not awarded for higher achievement.

Applicants studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma or other Australian senior secondary certificates are also eligible for subject-based adjustments.

Note: the Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme applies to most undergraduate courses. The exceptions are: 
 

Adelaide University

• ABP171 Bachelor of Medical Studies
• ABP271 Bachelor of Medical Studies (Bonded Medical Program)
• ABP213 Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Bioscience)

Charles Darwin University

• 104661 Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (double degree with Flinders University’s Doctor of Medicine (MD) in the Northern Territory)

Flinders University

• 214941 Bachelor of Clinical Sciences/Doctor of Medicine