Feeling stressed that your ATAR isn’t high enough to make your dream course? There’s no need to fear! If you’re hoping to attend WSU, there are various adjustment factors, also known as ‘bonus points’, which can help boost your selection rank!
With up to ten bonus points available, the different adjustment factors on offer at WSU can support you in getting into your dream course. Whether it be based on your location, grades, skills or experiences, there are bonus points available to boost your rank.Â
Let’s get into it!
What are WSU Adjustment Factors/Bonus Points?
From Western Sydney
Achieved Academically in HSC or IB Subjects
Experienced Disadvantage Throughout the HSC
Trained as an Athlete or Performer During the HSC
Supported by Your School (SRS)
Veteran or ADF Personnel
What are WSU Adjustment Factors/Bonus Points?
To put it simply, adjustment factors are ‘bonus points’ that boost your application if you fall within one or more of the six categories of criteria. These adjustment factors may be applied automatically, such as based on your location or will need to be added by completing an application.
Adjustment factors help students boost their selection ranking when applying to a university course. These points support students by increasing their chance of receiving entry into their dream course.Â
Let’s take a look at the adjustment factor schemes that WSU offers!
I Live in Western Sydney
If you live in the Western Sydney region, you will automatically qualify for 5 bonus points. If you’re wondering whether your area is eligible, a search function is available to help you find out whether your postcode qualifies.
While Regional Bonus Points help students achieve a better selection ranking, they do not apply to all courses. The exempt courses are:
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Music (Dean’s Scholar)
- Bachelor of Creative Industries (Music)
- Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Creative Industries
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy
If you qualify for Regional Bonus Points and another Bonus Points Scheme, the maximum number of bonus points you can receive is 10. This applies to Subject Bonus Points, the Elite Athletes or Performers Scheme and the Educational Access Scheme!
I Did Well in My HSC or IB Subjects
If you’ve achieved good marks in your HSC but still need a higher score, you can receive up to 10 Subject Bonus Points if you achieve Band 5 or 6 results in any HSC or IB subjects relevant to your dream degree. For a small range of courses, Subject Bonus Points are awarded for band four results.
Generally, a Band 6 is worth 10 Bonus Points, and a Band 5 is worth 5 Bonus Points. For subjects that award Bonus Points for a Band 4, such as Economics, Legal Studies, English Advanced and Standard, you will receive 5 Bonus Points.Â
However, not all courses award Bonus Points, so make sure you have a look through the list of available subjects!
I Have Experienced Disadvantage in My Studies
If you’ve experienced a long-term educational disadvantage that impacted your performance during Years 11 or 12, you may qualify for five bonus points through the Educational Access Scheme (EAS).
With 9 broad categories of disadvantage considered, including disrupted schooling, financial hardship, excessive language difficulty and personal illness/disability, you will be eligible if your educational performance has been seriously affected for at least six months.
Based on your disadvantage category, you will need to provide documents to support your application, such as applicant statements, educational impact statements, or medical impact statements.
You can find more information about applying for EAS on the UAC website!
I am an Elite Athlete or Performer
If your Year 12 studies have been impacted by your commitments as an athlete or performer, applying for the Elite Athletes or Performer Scheme can grant you five bonus points! Unlike the Regional or Subject Bonus Points, the points are not added automatically, and you will need to complete the Elite Athletes or Performers Scheme Application Form.
While completing your application, you will need to provide:
- A personal statement explaining the impact of your performance and training commitments on your studies
- An education impact statement completed by a supervisor, e.g. coach, director, committee chair
- Certified copies of supporting documentation, e.g. training/practice schedules, competition programs, written notifications of participation nominations
If you’re looking to apply for the start of the year, your application needs to be mailed to the Admissions Unit and received by 30 November. Applications are not available for the mid-year intake.
Although WSU is recognised as an Elite Athlete or Performer-Friendly university, Elite Athletes or Performer Bonus Points are not available for all courses.Â
My School Supports Me (SRS)
Suppose you’re concerned that your ATAR won’t reflect your hard work. In that case, the Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) provides the opportunity to receive an early offer based on your Year 11 performance and school’s recommendation. WSU has 79 courses on offer for students to apply through the SRS!
If you’re interested in receiving an SRS offer from WSU, you will need to list an eligible WSU degree as your first preference the week before offers are released. If you’re successful, you will receive an unconditional offer through UAC in November! Â
If you’re looking for more information about the application process, you can check out the UAC website.
I’m a Veteran or ADF Personnel
If you’re a current or former Australian Defence Force member, you will be eligible for 5 bonus points! To receive your bonus points through UAC, you will need to answer yes to ‘Are you a current or former member of the Australian Defence Forces’ and enter your Defence Force rank and Defence Force Experience.
You are required to provide supporting documentation, including:Â
- Statements of rank or service statements
- Course and qualification certificates
- Statements detailing operational, exercise or relevant work experience
Curious about adjustment factors at other unis?
Check out our lists for the unis below:
Ashley Sullivan is a Content Writer for Art of Smart Education and is currently undertaking a double degree in Communications (Journalism) and a Bachelor of Laws at UTS. Ashley’s articles have been published in The Comma and Central News. She is a film, fashion and fiction enthusiast who enjoys learning about philosophy, psychology and unsolved mysteries in her spare time.
