Commonwealth Supported Places Policy

Status


Next review
Sun, 15 November 2026

The purpose of this policy and accompanying information is to:

  • Promote compliance with government requirements in the offering of Commonwealth supported places to students at the College
  • Ensure offers are made in a way which maintains the principles of integrity and justice.
    • For postgraduate students this will be by making offers in rounds based on the academic merit of eligible prospective and current students.
    • For undergraduate students this will be by making offers in rounds based on the date and time of completion of...

Public
visibility
Approved on: 15 Nov 2015
Review cycle: 5 Years
Owned by

Academic Standards and Risk Committee

Approved by

Academic Board

Category: 
Policy Contact: 
Secretary, Academic Standards and Risk Committee
Background: 

This policy specifies how Commonwealth Supported Places as required by the Higher Education Support Act.

Purpose: 

The purpose of this policy and accompanying information is to:

  • Promote compliance with government requirements in the offering of Commonwealth supported places to students at the College
  • Ensure offers are made in a way which maintains the principles of integrity and justice.
    • For postgraduate students this will be by making offers in rounds based on the academic merit of eligible prospective and current students.
    • For undergraduate students this will be by making offers in rounds based on the date and time of completion of application
Definitions: 

academic merit - ranking based on academic performance. This is normally based on the ATAR score (or equivalent) for recent school leavers, the Grade Point Average (GPA) for current College students, or equivalent scores (as determined by the Registrar) for applicants who have entry by completion of a Bachelor degree at another institution.

ATAR - Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (or equivalent).

offers - offers of Commonwealth supported places to applicants and students who meet the eligibility criteria for a Commonwealth supported place as per government regulations (see http://www.studyassist.gov.au/)

Statement: 

Round of Offers for Commonwealth Supported Places Policy

The College is provided with a specified number of Commonwealth supported places for eligible students in courses. The College is committed to ensuring compliance with the Higher Education Support 2003 Act, the Administrative information for higher education providers: student support (DET), and the principles of integrity and justice in the allocation and administration of these Commonwealth supported places.

The College will offer postgraduate applicants and students Commonwealth Supported Places by making offers in rounds based on the academic merit of the undergraduate GPA of eligible prospective and current students.  

The College will offer undergraduate applicants and students Commonwealth Support Places by making offers in rounds based on the date and time of completion of application.  

The College will notify all students in writing of an offer for a Commonwealth Supported Place.  

Acceptance of the offer is made by applicants or students by:

  • Submitting a completed HECS HELP eCAF form before Census date of their first unit.

Non-acceptance of the offer is made by applicants or students by:

  • Notifying the Registrar, in writing, before their first unit commences, that they do not wish to accept the Commonwealth supported place.