Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway

The Access Pathway provides access to higher education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may not otherwise qualify for university entrance.

The Access Pathway can provide entry into a University of Adelaide undergraduate degree, the University Preparatory Program or the CASM Foundation programs.

Semester 2 application deadlines

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway applications for Semester 1, 2024 are now closed.

***Applications for Semester 2, 2024 will open April 2024

  • Can I apply?

    The Access Pathway is a suitable avenue into University for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants that are completing year 12, have completed year 12 (with or without a Selection Rank), have not completed year 12 or are of a mature age.

    Completing year 12 student

    If you are currently completing Year 12, you can apply via the Access Pathway, as a safe guard option, in-case you don’t meet the Selection Rank requirements of your chosen degree. However, you will still need to meet the pre-requisites of your chosen degree when applying.

    Completed year 12 (with or without a Selection Rank)

    If you completed the requirements for your SACE certificate in Year 12, but didn’t obtain the Selection Rank required for your chosen degree, then the Access Pathway may offer a way into your chosen degree provided you meet the pre-requisites when applying.

    Have not completed year 12 / mature age student

    The Access Pathway may offer an entry into your chosen degree provided you meet the pre-requisites when applying.

    *All applicants must be at least 17 years of age prior to the start of the semester in which they commence.

  • How is my application assessed?

    Applications are assessed on the following

    • Written application (please see attached Access Pathway Application form).
    • Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (1.5 hour test involving comprehension, writing and basic arithmetic ability).
    • Student support assessment and plan (appointment with a Student Support Officer to identify your individual needs as a student and how Wirltu Yarlu can best support your studies).
    • Selection interview (30 minute interview with a Wirltu Yarlu staff member and a member of the Faculty/School your chosen degree is relevant to).
    • CASM applicants must also undertake a musical audition.

    Access Pathway Flowchart

  • What are the conditions if I am admitted via the Access Pathway?

    All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who gain entry through the Access Pathway must attend the Wirltu Yarlu Orientation, prior to O-Week.

    Students are encouraged to sign up for the Academic Mentoring Program upon commencement of their studies for all of their courses.

  • Confirmation of Aboriginality

    Admission via the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme is for people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander only.

    In order for an application to be processed by Wirltu Yarlu applicants must provide confirmation of their origins by completing a Declaration of Descent form that is endorsed by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community organisation seal.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    1. What is the Access Pathway?
      The Access Pathway is a non-
      Selection Rank dependant admissions pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People interested in studying an undergraduate program or an enabling program at The University of Adelaide.
    2. What are the requirements of the Access Pathway?
      Selection activities via the Access Pathway include:
    • Detailed application- including resume, academic transcript and a Confirmation of Aboriginality (please make sure you provide all of these required documents- if you have them).
    • Literacy and numeracy assessment- 2 hours.
    • Interview with a Wirltu Yarlu staff member and a Faculty staff member- 30 minutes.
    • Self Assessment survey (online) - 10 minutes.
    • Student Success Plan with a student support officer- 30 minutes.
    1. What if I don’t have a confirmation of Aboriginality?
      You can complete a Statutory Declaration of Descent form, available on the Wirltu Yarlu website, and have it witnessed by a Justice of The Peace.

       
    2. What programs can I apply for?
      Most undergraduate programs, excluding those that require an interview or audition, e.g. Bachelor of Dentistry, Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Oral Health, Bachelor of Veterinary Bioscience and Bachelor of Music.
       
    3. Do I still need to complete a SATAC application?
      Yes, if you are applying for an undergraduate degree program. UPP and CASM applicants do not need to complete a SATAC application. You will receive a non-official offer letter from Wirltu Yarlu to confirm your place in a program, but you will still need to accept the official offer from The University of Adelaide via SATAC.
       
    4. Are there fees associated with the SATAC Application?
      Yes. If you are a current year 12 student, you will have a standard application fee of $45. If you are a non-current year 12 student, you will have a standard application fee of $85. After the SATAC application due date, a late fee will be applied. For current year 12 students this makes the fee $185. For non-current year 12 students, this makes the fee $225. Wirltu Yarlu can have the late fee waived on your behalf, so that you only need to pay the standard admission fee. Contact the Admissions Officer directly to request this.

       
    5. When will my selection activities take place?
      Selection activities refers to the interview, student success plan and literacy and numeracy assessment, as detailed in question one. These take place at The Wirltu Yarlu Office (Level 1 Schulz Building) on The University of Adelaide North Terrace Campus.

      You can elect to attend one of two selection rounds to complete these selection activities for semester one entry.  


      Round 1- Early December.
      Round 2- Late January.

      You can elect to attend one round for semester two entry.  

      Round 1- Late June.

      You will only need to attend for one day in each selection round to complete the selection activities. The exact dates will be listed on the Access Pathway application forms (as found on the Wirltu Yarlu website), and will be sent to you to confirm, once you submit an application. The assessment will take place in the morning. The interview will take place in the afternoon. Lunch is provided.
       
    6. I live remotely or interstate.
      You can still participate in the Access Pathway process. You have two options:
      1. You complete the selection activities online via a video platform called Zoom.
      2. You organise transport with Abstudy to attend the selection activities in person. We can help you with this process, if we receive your application within a suitable timeframe to liaise with Abstudy (14 days before the selection round).
         
    7. What happens if I can’t make the assessment or interview I am scheduled to attend?
      It is your responsibility to notify the Wirltu Yarlu Admissions Officer immediately, so that you can be rescheduled for a future date. If this is not possible, you will need to wait until the next available semester.

       
    8. What happens if I miss the due date for Access Pathway applications?
      Contact Wirltu Yarlu directly. We will do our best to process your application in time for you to commence studies. In circumstances that prevent your application being processed by the start of the semester, or programs that preclude late entry, we will defer you to commence in the next available semester (e.g. semester 2).

       
    9. I’ve attended my interview and assessment. Now, what?
      You will receive an e-mail from Wirltu Yarlu notifying you of the outcome. If successful, you will receive a letter of offer. This offer is to confirm you have a place in the program you have applied for. You will then receive an official offer via SATAC. It is important that you accept this SATAC offer ASAP. If unsuccessful, you may be referred to an enabling program e.g. The University Preparatory Program, or redirected to TAFE or a Vocational Learning Institution. 

       
    10. If unsuccessful, can I reapply in the future?
      Yes, you are more than welcome to reapply in the future. Your application will be reassessed following the same procedure.

       
    11. What are the conditions of my entry via The Access Pathway?
      All students who gain entry through the Access Pathway must attend the Wirltu Yarlu Orientation, prior to O-Week. Additionally, they must sign up for the Academic Mentoring Program upon commencement of their studies for all of their courses (this will be done automatically), participate in making a Student Success Plan, and complete an initial self-assessment at the beginning of their studies. They must also attend follow up appointments with their assigned Student Support Officer, every six months, during studies.