Achievement-based adjustment factors

• You're currently completing the Year 12 Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 2024.
• Scheme open to domestic and international applicants.

You don't need to submit a specific application for Academic Advantage. The Universities Admission Centre (UAC) will calculate eligibility automatically if a Macquarie course is listed in your preferences.

You must be a current high school leaver completing the HSC or IB in 2024 and have completed at least one of the following awards:

• Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award
• Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award
• King’s Scout Award
• Queen’s Guide Award.

• Applications open: 8 August 2024
• Applications close: 22 November 2024

As part of your application, you will be required to upload proof of the reward completion. If you have not completed or have partially completed The Adventurous Journey and Gold Residential project as part of your Duke of Edinburgh certificate, we still encourage you to apply.

Calculate your adjustment factor

• You may receive up to six additional points via this scheme. Points are as follows:
  • Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award – three additional points
  • Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award – two additional points
  • King’s Scout Award – three additional points
  • Queen’s Guide Award – three additional points.
• Points for multiple awards could be received (eg Gold Duke of Edinburgh (three) + Queen’s Guide (three) OR Silver Duke of Edinburgh (two) + King’s Scout (three)).

Note: applicants can only receive points for one Duke of Edinburgh Award. If you hold both the Gold and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, you will be given three adjustment points for the Gold award and zero points for the Silver.

Applicants must be:

• an athlete or artistic performer whose study performance has been affected within the last two years due to sporting or performance activities
• in Year 12 or a non-school applicant.

Elite athlete selection criteria

Applications for elite athletes will be assessed using the following criteria. You have to meet at least one of the criteria listed below to be assessed as an elite student-athlete and be eligible for adjustment factors under this scheme, providing that you also achieve the required ATAR.

• Member of a National Open squad or equivalent (eg AIS, Olympic or Paralympic teams).
• Member of a National Age squad member or equivalent (eg Australian All Schools team, junior national team, U19 – U21 national teams).
• Top 5 Open National Ranking or Top 10 Age National Ranking individual sports.
• Finalist at an age or open competition.
• Member of a State Age squad or equivalent (eg NSW All Schools team, NSW Swimming).
• Member of a State Institute of Sport or Academy program (eg NSWIS, SAS).

Elite performer selection criteria

Applications for elite artistic performers will be assessed using the following criteria:

• demonstrated success outside of the applicant's HSC curriculum or school-based endeavours
• the applicant's activity must have been at an elite and sustained level.

Examples of elite artistic performers include:

• member of a National Arts Company (through a successful audition process with a documented track record of the audition process and sustained performances)
• member of a State Arts Company (through a successful audition process with a documented track record of the audition process and sustained performances)
• significant success as a performing artist in a major national or international competition (with documented evidence of an extensive and competitive entry process, together with the impact of sustained training, rehearsals and performances on the applicant's studies)
• under contract with a recognised production company or music producer (with documented evidence detailing the impact of sustained rehearsals, sessions and performances on the applicant's studies)
• demonstrated success as a recording artist (with a documented track record and evidence detailing the impact on the applicant's studies)
• demonstrated success as an independent performing artist or creative practitioner (with a documented track record and evidence detailing the impact on the applicant's studies).

Note: Macquarie University's Ranking Committee will consider the applicant's circumstances and determine if they are eligible for four additional adjustment points.

• Applications open: 8 August 2024
• Applications close: 22 November 2024

Applicants will be notified by mail of the outcome of their application by December 30.

Note: approval under the EAAP scheme does not guarantee admission but allows you to be assessed as an 'elite' athlete or performer whose competitive commitments have impeded your study performance. Approval under this scheme does not guarantee a successful Sport Scholarship application.

• Open to non-school leavers and current school leavers
• For current school leavers sitting the HSC or Year 12 in 2025, you need to have participated in FIRST in years 11 and/or 12
• For non-school leavers, this applies for up to 3 years after involvement in FIRST robotics

Session 2 2025

Applications open: 10 April 2025

Applications close: 4 July 2025

Apply now

Session 1 2026

Applications open: 8 August 2025

Applications close: 28 November 2025

As part of your application, you will be required to upload proof of participation:

• FIRST event participation certificates (physical or digital accepted) and
• Either a signed letter from your school confirming duration of active participation and completion of the outreach project (for school-based teams) or both a signed letter from the Manager (or equivalent) of FIRST Australia confirming duration of active participation (for community-based teams) and a signed letter from the team coach confirming completion of the outreach project.

You may receive 5 adjustment points for completion of:

• 12 months of active participation in FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) / FIRST Robotics Challenge (FRC) teams; and
• Participation in at least one official FRC regional event (approximately 34 hours) or participation in at least one official FTC qualifier event (approximately 24 hours); and
• Completion of an individual or group FIRST outreach project

You may receive 5 additional adjustment points for competing in at least one FIRST Tech Challenge or FIRST Robotics Challenge World Championship