What is EAS?

QTAC’s Educational Access Scheme (EAS) may be of assistance to students when applying for further study if they have experienced circumstances during 2021 that may have negatively affected their most recent studies. There are extensive resources on the QTAC website. You can also refer to our EAS FAQs and EAS Case Studies.

EAS provides rank adjustments for educational disadvantage through five main categories: Financial Hardship; Home Environment and Responsibilities; English Language Difficulty; Personal Illness or Disability, and School Environment. Note that the Educational Disruption category was renamed ‘School Environment’ in August 2021 and there is a new form  on the QTAC website.

If you are assessed as eligible for adjustment factors, any rank adjustment will be applied to your QTAC selection rank under EAS, your original ATAR does not change.

Putting in an EAS application: What students need to know

Students should refer to the information on the QTAC website, in particular:

  • Carefully consider the choice of EAS category.
  • Check the due dates for documentation submission.
  • Follow the 7 Steps on How to Apply.
  • If you change your mind about applying for EAS after you have applied, call our contact centre on 1300 467 822.

School representatives may be asked to be a support person, complete a school statement, provide supporting documents or give other input, as required. 

Can 2021 year 12 students apply for EAS based on the impact of COVID-19?

Year 12 students whose studies have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 should, in the first instance, work with their school and QCAA for any educational adjustment available within the specific circumstances.

The QTAC educational access scheme is open to all year 12s whose studies have been impacted by COVID-19. Each EAS applicant must make a case based on their individual circumstances and supply all the supporting documents normally required for the category in which they are applying.

Where possible, EAS personal and school statements should:

  • Clearly describe how COVID-19 negatively impacted the individual EAS applicant’s ability to study – be sure to include who, what, where, when, and why.
  • Address how the applicant was disadvantaged relative to school peers from the same state.
  • Explain what educational adjustment has already been made.

We are carefully monitoring the range of adjustment measures being adopted by state education authorities around Australia and updating our processes accordingly.

Some examples of COVID-19-related circumstances that are considered in different EAS categories are supplied below. This is not an exhaustive list.

EAS Category

Circumstances

School Environment

 

·         Positive COVID-19 case/s in school community leading to prolonged school closure.

·         Poor internet connectivity for rural and regional students negatively impacting online learning during protracted COVID-19 lockdowns.

Missed schooling

·         Boarding students forced to return home to remote areas and unable to recommence in-person studies at the same time as city peers due to travel restrictions and lockdowns.

·         Returned overseas travellers who missed a significant period of study due to quarantine requirements.

 

Home Environment

 

·         COVID-19 case/s in applicant’s immediate family or household disrupting study for a significant period.

·         Family members of front-line health care workers who experienced serious disruption to their home environment.

 

Personal Illness

 

·         Applicant tested positive to COVID-19 with severe and prolonged impact on study.

·         Disabled applicants and applicants with learning difficulties whose conditions affected their ability to participate in online study during prolonged lockdowns.

 

For further information or assistance with EAS please call the QTAC contact centre on 1300 467 822.