For Year 12 applicants, SATAC may automatically add Adjustment Factors (previously known as bonus points) to your ATAR to create a competitive Selection Rank, which you can then use when applying for entry into your preferred degrees.
There are two types of Adjustment Factors set by SACE:
- The Universities Equity Scheme: eligible applicants can have their ATAR adjusted by five points based on equity factors.
- The Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme: eligible applicants can have their ATAR adjusted by either two or four points for completing an eligible subject.
Your ATAR can be adjusted by a maximum of nine points if eligible for either scheme. SATAC is responsible for administering these adjustments on your behalf.
Here’s some more information about the Adjustment Factor schemes available:
The Universities Equity Scheme
This scheme is available across all UniSA degrees and can be applied in two ways:
- To all applicants in certain specified schools; and
- To eligible applicants in other schools on an individual basis.
Eligible applicants will receive five points in the calculation of their Selection Rank.
School-based adjustments
Criteria for South Australian and Northern Territory schools attracting equity adjustments will be based on:
- The school’s remoteness as defined under the Australian Standard Geographical Classification;
- The participation rate (the percentage of students in each school gaining an ATAR);
- The mean ATAR achieved in each school; or
- The school’s Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage.
Interstate schools attracting equity adjustments will be identified using a subset of these criteria.
Eligible schools are identified on an annual basis when data for all criteria becomes available. SATAC contacts all SA/NT schools each year regarding whether their students will be eligible for a schools-based adjustment in the following year. The classification of individual schools may change from year to year.
Most importantly, you don’t need to apply for a school-based Adjustment Factors — your Selection Rank will be automatically adjusted by SATAC.
Individual adjustments
Applicants from other schools can make an application under the same scheme to demonstrate their individual disadvantage. Applicants will be eligible during the year they gain their ATAR providing:
- They or their parents are in receipt of a Commonwealth means-tested income support payment;
- They or their parents are the holders of a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card; or
- They are the holder of a School Card (under the Government of South Australia's School Card scheme).
Details of applicants who receive an individual equity adjustment will be stored by SATAC so the individual adjustment can be automatically applied in future SATAC applications.
How to apply for individual adjustments
You can apply for consideration under the Universities Equity Scheme when completing your SATAC undergraduate application.
Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme
The Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme encourages students to study a language other than English, or specified English and Mathematics subjects. This scheme is also available across all UniSA degrees.
Applicants eligible for subject-based adjustments will have their ATAR adjusted by two or four points, for successfully completing a subject in any these four categories:
- 20 credits of a LOTE in the Languages Learning Area (not including the subject Language and Culture – two 10 credit Australian indigenous language subjects can be paired in lieu of a 20 credit LOTE);
- 2ESH20 English or 2ELS20 English Literary Studies;
- 2MHS20 Mathematical Methods; or
- 2MSC20 Specialist Mathematics.
Successful completion is defined as gaining an overall C- Grade or better. Because subject-based adjustments are designed to encourage enrolments in these subjects rather than reward outcomes, no further adjustments will be granted for higher achievement.
Applicants undertaking the International Baccalaureate or interstate senior secondary certificates in Australia are also eligible for subject-based adjustments. International Baccalaureate and interstate subjects equivalent to the SACE/ NTCET subjects listed above can be found on the SATAC website.
