Recognition as an Indigenous Australian category

If you are an Indigenous Australian you may be entitled to support which includes, but is not limited to:

• Guaranteed entry
• Entry into the Bachelor of Science (Extended), and Diploma in General Studies (Extended)
• Scholarships identified for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this category, you must meet the below criteria:

• You're of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• You identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and are accepted as such by the community in which you have been living or are associated with.

To access Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific supports, you must provide a confirmation of identity document that meets the above criterion.

Use our Access Melbourne eligibility calculator to get a personalised indication of your eligibility (based on this criteria and others) for the Access Melbourne scheme.

How to apply?

To apply for this Access Melbourne category, you need to complete a Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) under SEAS Category 1: Personal information and location

Once you have submitted a VTAC application, you will be contacted about providing your confirmation of identity document.

Guaranteed entry

Year 12 applicants who are eligible for this category may be eligible to receive a guaranteed place if they meet the course prerequisites.  ATAR requirements for guaranteed entry differ for each course, please see the table below:

^* To be eligible for guaranteed entry to the Bachelor of Science (Extended) you must also achieve a study score of at least 25 in one of VCE Units 3 and 4 Biology, Chemistry, Physics or any mathematics (or equivalent).

Extended Pathways

The  Bachelor of Science (Extended), and Diploma in General Studies (Extended) are available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who do not meet the standard for the Bachelor of Science, or Diploma in General Studies.

Bachelor of Science (Extended)

The Bachelor of Science (Extended) provides a supported transition to University through an additional study year. In your first year, you'll study integrated science, mathematics, and Indigenous studies subjects to help you build your academic skills for success throughout your degree. You'll also choose one Level 1 Bachelor of Science subject from a field that interests you. Once you've completed the first year of the Bachelor of Science (Extended), you will move into a standard Bachelor of Science course structure, plus one subject that's unique to the Bachelor of Science (Extended).

The Bachelor of Science (Extended) is based at the University of Melbourne’s main campus in Parkville.

Diploma in General Studies (Extended)

The Diploma in General Studies (Extended) seeks to help you build the academic skills to then progress to a bachelor degree in Agriculture, Science, Arts, Commerce, or Design.

The Diploma allows you to study prerequisite subjects you may have missed in high school, including science, mathematics, business, and environments, explore your study options before committing to a bachelor's degree, and receive guaranteed entry into a University of Melbourne bachelor's degree upon successful completion.

The Diploma is based at the University of Melbourne’s agriculture at Dookie.

Financial Assistance

Narrm Scholarship

The Narrm Scholarship is designed to help you with the cost of living during your studies. It provides both financial and enrichment support to eligible students.

Benefits include:

• A living allowance of $6,500 per year for four years paid in half-yearly instalments of $3,250. The living allowance will be extended by one year if students enrol in the Diploma of General Studies, a concurrent diploma, a bachelor extended degree or a bachelor degree with honours.
• A one-off relocation allowance of $3,000 paid shortly after enrolling in their course for students who are living in a regional or remote area of Australia.

All Narrm Scholars have also access to the Narrm Scholarship Enrichment Offering, an exclusive program to support students to transition to and succeed at university.

When you apply through VTAC using the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS), you’ll be automatically considered for a Narrm Scholarship.

Other Financial Assistance

The University offers a number of scholarships for a range of needs and achievements. Some scholarships are awarded to you when you get your offer and others you need to apply for as an enrolled student. Scholarships are also offered by Residential Colleges, as well as companies and organisations outside of the University.

The Melbourne Chancellor's Scholarship

The Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship is an exciting opportunity for very high-achieving students.

The benefits of the Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship are:

• HECS Student Contribution exemption for the full duration of a Commonwealth Supported Place Living allowance for up to three years with a value of:
  • $5,000 per year for students who studied in Victoria
  • $10,000 per year for students who studied outside Victoria
• Guaranteed Commonwealth Supported Place in one of the professional master degrees for students who meet the prerequisite course and entry requirements for the master degree

The Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship is guaranteed to all eligible students. You do not need to complete an application form to receive the Scholarship.

Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarships

The Indigenous Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship (ICECS) is awarded to assist students with education, teaching and training costs, and the Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship (ICAS) is awarded to assist students with relocation and/or accommodation costs.

• Eligibility:
  • be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • have applied for an undergraduate degree via the VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS)
• Benefits:
• $3,000 per year for four years for recent school leavers
• $7,000 per year for four years for non-school leavers
  • ICAS provides an allowance of either:
    • $2,000 per year for up to four years for students who will relocate to Melbourne from within Victoria
    • $4,000 per year for up to four years for students who will relocate to Melbourne from outside Victoria

Students who meet the eligibility criteria and have completed a SEAS application through VTAC are automatically considered.

To be eligible for an Indigenous Commonwealth Scholarship, you must not be in receipt of other Commonwealth assistance given for the same purpose. This means if you are receiving ABSTUDY Residential Costs Option, you cannot also receive the Indigenous Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship.

Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Murrup Barak

Located on the Parkville campus, Murrup Barak provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across all University of Melbourne campuses.

OurStudent Outreach Team are the key point of contact for Indigenous people wanting to find out more about how to study at the University. We work with people of all ages who want to find out what options are available to them.

Our Student Success Team support all enrolled Indigenous students at the University of Melbourne. They organise many events and activities throughout the year for students including regular student lunches.

Joining in is a great way to meet and get to know other Indigenous students and staff here at the University. Our staff love seeing students grow in confidence as they work towards their educational goals.

At Murrup Barak you have access to:

• student common room with kitchen facilities
• computer room with printing facilities
• private tutoring rooms.

We offer culturally-safe support and guidance throughout your studies on a wide range of academic, cultural and personal matters.

Our services and support include:

• Dhumbali orientation
• Student consults
• Peer Support Program
• Referrals to University support services
• Community and Cultural Engagement Activities
• ITAS tutoring, and more.

Visit Murrup Barak

Wilin Centre

Located on the Southbank campus, the Wilin Centre provides support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music [Victorian College of Arts (VCA) and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (MCM)].

The Wilin Centre is also the key point of contact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanting to learn more about fine arts and music courses and to assist with the application process.

We offer culturally-safe support and guidance throughout your studies on a wide range of academic, cultural and personal matters.

Our services and support include:

• Computer room with printing facilities
• Private tutoring rooms
• Dhumbali orientation
• Student consults
• Referrals to University support services
• Community and Cultural Engagement Activities
• ITAS tutoring, and more.

Visit the Wilin Centre

UMSU Indigenous Department

The UMSU Indigenous Department gives voice to Indigenous students and promotes the development of an inclusive and safe campus.

UMSU Indigenous facilitates social and cultural events and produces Gundui Bunjil, the student-led magazine comprised solely of work by Indigenous students.