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 Australian Year 12 (NSW HSC or equivalent interstate qualification) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) in 2025 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: 15 August 2025
• Applications close: 20 November 2025

Apply now

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 recent school leaver.

Elite athlete selection criteria

Applications for elite athletes will be assessed using the following criteria. You need 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.

International Level

• Consistent International representation in team or individual sports, where qualification at the National level was required for entry.

National Level

• Competed at an Australian All-Schools competition in your respective sport.
• Member of a National (age capped or open age) squad or equivalent (AIS) for the highest level/grade of your respective sport.
• Competing at the National level in para-sport.

State Level

• Member of a State open age squad or equivalent (NSWIS) for the highest level/grade of your respective sport.

Individual Ranking

• Individual Athlete competing at the National level (age capped or open age) where qualification at the State level was required for entry.

Other

• Signed to or competing in professional sporting leagues.
• Comparable level of achievement in your respective sport not covered by the above criteria.

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.

1. Create an undergraduate course application with the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC)
   1. In the Institution entry scheme section, indicate that you would also like to apply for the Macquarie University Elite Athletes and Artistic Performers Scheme.
2. Upload your supporting evidence to UAC before the application closing date.

Applications close: Thursday 20 November 2025

Apply via UAC

Applicants will be notified via email of the outcome of their application by December.

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 the endorsement onto the Sport Scholar Program.

• 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 1 2026

Applications now open

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.

Apply now

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