The Elite Athlete Adjustment Scheme considers the impact of an applicant’s sporting demands on their educational outcomes in the past 2 years. Elite athletes, coaches, and referees applying through QTAC to eligible courses offered by Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology and University of the Sunshine Coast may be eligible to receive adjustments to their selection rank or ATAR via this scheme.
Individual institution rules and considerations apply.
The Elite Athlete Adjustment Scheme is an application for rank adjustments only. It is not an application for a scholarship or other elite athlete support. Applications for scholarships and other elite athlete support must be made separately and directly to the institution. Please visit the institution’s websites for more information and to apply.
Find out more about each university’s scheme by following the links below:
Am I eligible?
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must have undertaken study in the past 2 years. This study must be listed and assessed as part of your QTAC application.
- Participation in your sport must have taken place in the past 2 years.
- Participation in your sport must be at national or international level or at professional level/ in the professional player development pathway.
- Your sport must be listed as recognised and funded by Sport Australia (sports that are not recognised and/or unfunded by Sport Australia may be considered and applications are encouraged).
- You must be identified and recognised as an elite athlete or professional athlete within your sport OR you must be a minimum of Talent 3 (T3) categorisation within Sport Australia’s FTEM development framework.
- Coaches and referees/umpires must be involved at elite level to be considered.
- You must be able to verify your claim.
Individual institution rules and considerations apply. Applicants may not be eligible for adjustments from all participating universities. Visit the institution’s website for more information about their policies.
How do I apply?
You must nominate Elite Athlete at the time of applying. If you have applied to an eligible course, you will be sent an invitation to apply for the scheme after you submit your application.
You will need to download and complete the Elite Athlete Adjustment Scheme application form and upload it to your QTAC application.
What supporting evidence do I need to provide?
If you are a member of the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) you must complete Section 1 of the application form only. QTAC will confirm your participation directly with the QAS.
If you are not a member of the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) you must complete Section 1 and have your coach, team manager, or an authorised representative complete Section 2 of the form verifying your participation in your sport.
Please note that you must provide the completed form to be considered. Other documents such as character references, selection letters, sports resumes, personal statements, news articles, photographs, results statements, certificates, or awards are not acceptable evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
I forgot to select Elite Athlete when I submitted my application, what should I do?
You can call or e-mail us and we can add this to your application. If you have applied to an eligible course, we will send you an invitation to download and complete the application form.
I selected Elite Athlete when I applied, but no longer wish to be considered. How can I remove this from my application?
Please upload a note to your application advising that you no longer wish to be considered, and QTAC will remove this from your application.
I selected Elite Athlete when I applied, why haven’t I received an invitation to complete the application form?
If you applied to Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology or University of the Sunshine Coast, your selected courses may be excluded from the scheme. Please visit the website of the institution/s you have applied to for more information about excluded courses.
If you have not applied to any of the participating universities, then the Elite Athlete Adjustment Scheme does not apply. You may be eligible for other elite athlete support – please visit the relevant institution’s website for more information about what is on offer and to apply.
Will I be notified if I am eligible for adjustments?
Yes. You will be notified once your application has been assessed and adjustments have been applied.
Please note that individual institution rules and considerations apply. Applicants may not be eligible for adjustments from all participating universities. QTAC does not notify applicants if they are not eligible.
I want to apply for a scholarship and other elite athlete support, what do I need to do?
Applications for scholarships and other elite athlete programs or support are separate to this scheme and must be made separately and directly to the institution. Please visit the institution’s website for more information about what is on offer and to apply.
I am an elite athlete but I am not applying to Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology or University of the Sunshine Coast. Is there any elite athlete support available to me from other institutions?
Other institutions may offer elite athlete programs and support. Please visit the website of the institution you are applying to for more information and to apply.
My sport is not recognised and/or funded by Sport Australia, am I eligible?
Elite athletes, coaches, and referees from unfunded or non-Sport Australia recognised sports participating at the eligible level may be considered and are encouraged to apply.
I play school sport, am I eligible?
No. Applications from athletes, coaches or referees participating only in school sport competitions (at any level) are not accepted. To be eligible you must be participating in age or open competitions at national or international level and be identified and recognised as elite.
I play for a regional team or a local sports club in a regional or state level competition, am I eligible?
No. To be considered, participation in your sport must be at national or international level, or at professional level/ in the professional player development pathway.
I have received and accepted an offer, what do I do now?
Elite athletes, coaches, and referees who receive an offer can apply to their institution for further elite athlete support. Please visit their website for more information and to apply.
I received an offer, but my Elite Athlete Adjustment Scheme application has not been processed. What should I do?
The Elite Athlete Adjustment Scheme is an application for an adjustment to your selection rank to help you get into your preferred course. Once you have received and responded to an offer in your preferred course, the scheme is no longer relevant to your application.
You can still apply directly to your institution for further elite athlete support. Please visit their website for more information and to apply.
Do I need to apply for the Elite Athlete Adjustment Scheme to be considered for other elite athlete programs and support offered by institutions?
No. The Elite Athlete Adjustment Scheme is separate to all other elite athlete programs and support offered by institutions. Applications for scholarships and other elite athlete programs and support must be made separately and directly to the institution. Please visit the institution’s website for more information and to apply.