• Section 1 -  Preamble
• Section 2 - Purpose
• Section 3 -  Scope 
• Section 4 - Minimum Eligibility Criteria
• Higher education courses - coursework
• Higher Degrees by Research
• Non-award offerings
• Section 5 -  English Language Proficiency
• Section 6 - Application for equivalence
• Section 7 - Definitions

Section 1 -  Preamble

(1) This Procedure is effective from 2 October 2024.

(2) This Procedure is pursuant to the Admission policy.

Section 2 - Purpose

(3) This Procedure defines the requirements applicants must meet to be eligible for admission to the University.

Section 3 -  Scope 

(4) This Procedure applies to all University courses and non-award programs, including programs delivered through third parties.

Section 4 - Minimum Eligibility Criteria

(5) Minimum eligibility criteria for admission to the University are specified at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels and include:

1. minimum academic requirements, including but not limited to study, qualifications and/or work experience appropriate for students to succeed in a course or other program
2. minimum English language proficiency requirements, including but not limited to study, qualifications, and work and life experiences appropriate for students to succeed in a course or other program.  

1. Secondary schooling, with emphasis on the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
2. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
3. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
4. Successful post-compulsory education studies
5. Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI).

(6) Minimum eligibility criteria may also be specified for admission to specific courses and include:

1. academic requirements above University minimum
2. English language proficiency requirements above University minimum
3. employment experiences
4. non-academic requirements.

(7) Minimum eligibility criteria may also be specified for admission to micro-units and non-award programs.

(8) Applicants must meet minimum eligibility criteria specified in both clause 5 and 6 to be eligible for selection to a course, or clause 7 for a micro-unit or non-award program.

(9) Minimum eligibility criteria for each course or program are published on course pages of the Deakin website. (See Deakin University Courses website)

(10) The Executive Director Student Services will maintain an Equivalence Register for minimum eligibility criteria established under processes approved by Academic Board.

Higher education courses - coursework

(11) To be considered for selection to the University, applicants must meet minimum eligibility criteria for admission to the University set out in Table 1.

(12) Meeting minimum eligibility criteria for admission to the University does not guarantee selection into a specific course, which may have course requirements consistent with clause 6.

Section 5 -  English Language Proficiency

(16) English language proficiency requirements are aligned to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

1. IELTS 5.5 to 6.5           CEFR Independent User Level B2                                                       
   1. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
   2. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
   3. Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation.
2. IELTS 6.5 to 8.0            CEFR Proficient user Level C1                                                          
   1. Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning.
   2. Can express oneself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
   3. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
   4. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

(17) Applicants for combined degrees must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements for both degrees.

1. tests must be completed no more than two years prior to commencement at Deakin unless otherwise specified; and
2. qualifications must be completed no more than five years prior to commencement at Deakin unless otherwise specified.

(22) Time limitations do not apply for qualifications where applicants seek to demonstrate English language proficiency on the basis of work and life experience and who have provided evidence that:

1. English is their primary language or they completed at least the final four years of their secondary schooling in a recognised English-speaking country (specified in clause 27), or
2. they have continuously resided or worked in a recognised English-speaking country (specified in clause 27) between the completion of their studies and commencement at Deakin.

(23) English language proficiency requirements for Associate Degrees (IELTS 5.5, Independent User B2) are met by applicants who have completed their secondary schooling in an English-speaking country or context, or equivalent means documented in the Equivalence Register.

(24) English language proficiency requirements may be satisfied by successful study with a higher education provider delivering approved pathway program where the curriculum and assessment has been assessed as satisfying minimum eligibility criteria and documented in accordance with the Higher Education Courses Approval and Review procedure and Academic Partnerships Policy.

(25) Minimum eligibility criteria to demonstrate English language proficiency requirements at IELTS 6.0, Indepenent User (B2) and IELTS 6.5, Proficient User (C1) across common applicant cohorts and academic qualifications are set out in Table 3. Criteria may be satisfied by higher level qualifications, or higher scores than the minima specified.

(26) Applicants may also demonstrate English language proficiency on the basis of work and life experience:

1. Residence: 5 years ongoing residence in a recognised English-speaking country (as specified in clause 27) and able to provide evidence of proficient written and verbal English consistent with the minimum English language proficiency requirements of the course.
2. Employment: 5 years in an occupation requiring proficient written and verbal English, in a recognised English-speaking country (as specified in clause 27) consistent with the minimum English language proficiency requirements of the course.

(27) For applicants seeking to have English language proficiency assessed on the basis of study, residence or employment in English-speaking countries, the countries recognised as English-speaking countries include:

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. Fiji
4. Ireland
5. Kenya
6. New Zealand
7. Papua New Guinea
8. Samoa
9. Singapore
10. Solomon Islands
11. South Africa
12. United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)
13. United States of America
14. Zambia.

(28) Evidence of residence or employment for English language proficiency purposes is assessed on a case by case basis, and may include but is not limited to:

1. a passport
2. an interview
3. residency/citizenship documentation
4. supporting statements from employers, community leaders, sports coaches, or professional practitioners who know the applicant’s English language proficiency. Supporting statements must include current contact details to allow for verification.

(29) Approved providers and qualifications include those listed on:

1. Tertiary Education Qualification Standards Agency National Register (See Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency)
2. National Training Register
3. Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
4. Department of Education Skills and Employment International Education website.

Section 6 - Application for equivalence

(30) The University will not approve any waivers in relation to minimum eligibility criteria.

(31) Where an applicant is considered to meet minimum eligibility criteria but is unable to provide evidence that satisfies requirements set out in the Admission procedure, nor documented in the Equivalence Register, a Selection Officer may apply for recognition of equivalence by completing an Admission Standards Equivalence Request.

(32) A request for Admission Standards Equivalence must include a rationale and evidence to substantiate the case. The Executive Director Student Services (or nominee) will determine if the evidence demonstrates equivalent proficiency in accordance with Academic Board-approved processes and document a decision in the Equivalence Register.

(33) The Executive Director Student Services (or nominee) must report on applications for equivalence and application outcomes to the Academic Board at least annually.

Section 7 - Definitions

(34) For the purposes of this Procedure:

1. AQF qualification: an award attained as the result of an accredited complete program of learning that leads to formal certification that a graduate has achieved learning outcomes as described in the Australian Qualifications Framework.
2. ATAR: Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
3. Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR): The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is a ranking from 30 (lowest) to 99.95 (highest) agreed by COAG as a nationally equivalent measure of a person’s relative academic ranking within their complete age cohort in the year they graduated from senior secondary school (including those who did not complete Year 12 or completed but were not eligible for an ATAR). The ATAR is derived from the scaled scores achieved for senior secondary school subjects. The specific calculation used is different in each state and territory but the result is designed to be nationally equivalent.
4. course: course means a program of study that leads to a degree, VET training product or other award.
5. Equivalence Register: a document describing University recognised equivalence to minimum eligibility criteria, maintained by the Executive Director Student Services on advice from staff with expertise in international equivalence. Certain information within the Register may be published on the Deakin website.
6. Higher Degrees by Research: has the same meaning defined by the Higher Degrees by Research policy.
7. international applicant: a person who is not a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, is not a citizen of New Zealand or a person holding an Australian permanent refugee, humanitarian or protection visa.
8. microcredential: as defined in the Higher Education Courses policy
9. non-award offering: For the purposes of this procedure: a course, unit, (excluding micro-units) or module, offered by Deakin University that does not lead to an award of the University.
10. primary language: means the language primarily used for reading, writing, listening, and speaking and the language known best and most comfortable with.
11. thesis: has the same meaning defined by the Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) Assessment procedure.