QTAC Information Sheet

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Special consideration of educational disadvantage

If you have experienced a situation which has affected your school or academic results, you may apply for Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage (SCD).  The service takes into account an applicant's educational disadvantage when assessing an application for tertiary study.  The aim is to give the most equitable assessment possible.  

What is educational disadvantage?

Generally, educational disadvantage is caused by circumstances beyond your control that have affected previously satisfactory academic results.  These may include:

• Circumstances relating to equality of opportunity, for example, ethnic, cultural, gender, or language demands and expectations.
• Disability and health, for example, visual and hearing impairment; speaking, reading and writing difficulties; difficulties with physical mobility; and psychological or affective disorders including anxiety or depression, effects of medication, and any other severe and chronic medical conditions.
• Compassionate and other circumstances, for example, effects of surgery, trauma, bereavement, neglect, abuse, violence, relocation, divorce, or other unanticipated circumstances.

What isn't educational disadvantage?

It is important to note what is not considered educational disadvantage.  These include life choices and 'normal risks' that the average person could expect to encounter.  Examples include: inability to cope with studies or adapt to university life; representative sport and social activities such as musicals and student councils; changing subjects or not taking prerequisite subjects; and positions of authority, for example school captain.

What is assessed when you apply for special consideration?

• It is your circumstances and how they have affected your studies that are taken into account rather than merely a description of the circumstances.  It is the educational disadvantage brought about as a result of your circumstances that is assessed.
• Information you submit relating to your special consideration application must show the extent to which the circumstances exceeded normal risk and were therefore beyond your control.  Consequences or effects resulting from your circumstances could include: absence from school; inability to concentrate; and inability to submit written work, or undertake oral or other examinations.
• Statements from the appropriate educational authority are required to document the extent of educational disadvantage.

Supporting evidence you will need

Your application must also be substantiated in writing by the appropriate people or authorities with knowledge of your case.  This may include professional assessments from doctors, psychologists, ministers of religion, solicitors, school principals, university lecturers, medical certificates, tax statements from accountants, and statements of results or report cards illustrating the effect of disadvantage, such as a drop in marks.  Documentation needs to specify the effect of the circumstances, for example, the effect of educational disadvantage on educational outcomes, as well as describe the nature of the disadvantage.

Will my application be confidential?

Your application will be strictly confidential.  However certain people, such as assessors and professionals within tertiary institutions, will need to know your case to assess your disadvantage and make recommendations to the tertiary institution.

How is my application assessed?

The material you submit to QTAC is evaluated by the special consideration assessor.  The process is as follows:

• information is read and assessed by the special consideration assessor;
• a special consideration rank is awarded and recorded on the QTAC system; and
• special consideration ranks are used by tertiary institutions, on the basis of their policies, to determine the extent of the special consideration given by them.

The ranks given according to the level of disadvantage range from 50 to 90.  These ranks are not equivalent to selection ranks: a D1001 rank of 90 is not a QTAC selection rank of 90.  These ranks are used by institutions according to their policies.The amount of special consideration given for tertiary entry varies from institution to institution.  This is because tertiary institutions select on merit and each institution has its own standards.

Please note that although QTAC accepts your application and makes a recommendation for special consideration, special consideration is awarded by tertiary institutions. QTAC has no say in the final outcome.

Can my application affect me in a negative way?

No.  An application for special consideration is only used if it increases your chances of selection.

How do I apply for SCD?

Applicants must write their own statement outlining their reasons for requesting SCD as well as the following: 

• If you are a current Year 12 student you must apply for SCD on your Twelve To Tertiary (TTT) online application. You will be prompted to print a QTAC Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage coversheet upon lodgement of the online application.
• Non-school leavers who indicate their intention to apply for SCD on their QTAC Tertiary Study Application will be posted a QTAC Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage form. 
• Non-school leavers who Apply By Web can print out the QTAC Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage coversheet upon lodgement of their online application. 

If I have already been given special consideration can I apply for it again?

If you have already received special consideration at school, TAFE or university you are unlikely to receive it again when you apply through QTAC - unless your application is well supported by school or other authorities.  You should first apply for consideration through these institutions.  The QTAC Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage coversheet that you print from your online application, or the QTAC Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage form that is sent to non-school leavers that apply on the paper application form will inform QTAC of any special consideration previously awarded.

Schedule D1001:  Special Consideration of Educational Disadvantage

1.  Applicants are advised to pursue their cases for special consideration of disadvantage on this basis directly with the authority concerned in the first instance especially where applicants have been previously refused enrolment.

D1001 RANK ASSESSED ACCORDING TO IMPACT OF EDUCATIONAL DISADVANTAGE ON TERTIARY PREPARATION
90	Educational disadvantage substantiated and profoundly and    chronically affecting educational outcomes	Strongly recommended for special consideration
80	Educational disadvantage substantiated and detrimentally affecting educational outcomes	Recommended for special consideration
70	Educational disadvantage substantiated with significant impact on educational outcomes	Referred for special consideration
60	Educational disadvantage substantiated but limited impact on tertiary preparation
	Educational disadvantage substantiated but school/educational institution fully aware and able to compensate within QSA/institution guidelines
50	Educational disadvantage not substantiated or frivolous application

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