The Deakin Engagement and Access Program presents SEAS

The Deakin Engagement and Access Program presents: SEAS Special Entry Access Scheme Workshop 2020 60 MINS Cameras off Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B Sound off LIVE Q&A

Collaborative artwork painted by Deakin staff and artists Kiri Wicks and Dr Jenny Murray-Jones for NAIDOC week 2020 Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

What we will be covering today Part 1: • What is SEAS? • SEAS eligibility and its impact on selection Part 2: • The 4 SEAS categories and evidence required • Impact Statement and Statement of Support • COVID-19 & 2019/2020 Bushfires Part 3: • Live SEAS application demo Part 4: • How to submit, tips and dates. Disclaimer: Some of the content and topics covered may be distressing. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Before we begin… What things could have impacted someone studies? Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

CAN CONTROL Distance from school CANNOT CONTROL Death in the family Social life Where you live Being too busy Getting sick with sport English as second language Family issues Money $$ Social media Part time work Mental health Being lazy Natural disasters Global pandemics Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

SEAS supports you with: • Things you have no control over that have impacted your education Let’s get into it… Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

What is the Special Entry Access Scheme? • SEAS assists you with the things that you have no control over. • It allows universities and TAFES to consider the circumstances you have experienced and their impact upon your studies. • It is designed to make sure they get a sense of your full potential. • A single application is sent by VTAC to all the courses you apply for. • It can increase your chance of gaining a place at university, but it is NOT a guarantee. • The outcome of your SEAS application is NOT shared with you. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

VTAC Website 2020 or f y ppl the a l wil ough te u Yo S thr ebsi SEA AC W VT You n applie eed to hav e d fo throu r a course g befor h VTAC e apply you can for S EAS. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Am I eligible for SEAS? You are eligible to apply for SEAS if you hold: • Australian or New Zealand citizenship • A permanent Australian residency visa • An eligible Temporary, Bridging or Safe Haven Enterprise visa and are an Australian Year 12 applicant. You are not eligible to apply if you are an international student. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Selection rank = ATAR + Adjustment How SEAS impacts selection ATAR 1 Ahmed 95. 00 ATAR 2 Ani 70. 00 ATAR 3 Taylor 65. 00 ATAR 4 5 6 Lee Junior Mel Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B 60. 00 ATAR 55. 00 ATAR 50. 00 ATAR Selection rank 1 2 Ahmed 95. 00 ATAR = 95. 00 selection rank Ani 70. 00 ATAR +subject adjustment = 74. 00 selection rank 3 Junior 55. 00 ATAR + SEAS = 66. 00 selection rank 4 Taylor 65. 00 ATAR = 65. 00 selection rank 5 Lee 60. 00 ATAR = 60. 00 selection rank 6 Mel 50. 00 ATAR = 50. 00 selection rank

The recent Victorian Government announcement Question: I have heard the Victorian Government is giving special consideration to most year 12 s. Do I bother doing a SEAS application? Study scores Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B Vic Government announcement ATAR SEAS Selection rank

Who should apply for SEAS? • Everyone • If you have had something happen that has impacted your education, we encourage you to apply. • This may include the impact the 2019/2020 bushfires and/or COVID-19 has had. More on this later. As we go through examples think of what has happened to you during your VCE as many of these may be relevant to you. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Part 2: SEAS Categories and required evidence Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Part 2: The Categories Category 1 – Personal Information and Location Category 2 – Disadvantaged Financial Background Category 3 – Disability or Medical Condition Category 4 – Difficult Circumstances You can apply for as many of these that match your circumstances Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Category 1 - Personal Information and Location Eligibility • Age • Recognition as an Indigenous Australian • Living or school location • Attending an under-represented school • Under-represented by a specific gender • Coming from a non-English speaking background • First in family to attend a tertiary institution. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Category 1 - Personal Information and Location Evidence required • No evidence required • To apply you just need to tick a box Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B tick a t s u j As it is yone is er box ev to apply ged a r u o c en gory 1 e t a c r fo

Category 2 - Disadvantaged Financial Background Eligibility • You receive Centrelink benefits • Your parent or guardian receives Centrelink benefits • You have excessive financial obligations • You have individual or family economic hardship • You have individual or family poverty. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Category 2 - Disadvantaged Financial Background Evidence required - 3 options 1 2 3 Impact statement Statement of support CRN – Customer reference number CAN – Customer access number Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B This does NOT include Job. Keeper

Category 2 - Disadvantaged Financial Background Evidence required - Example Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Evidence - Impact Statement What is an Impact Statement? A statement written by you that describes the circumstances that have occurred and the impact this had on your education. How do I write an Impact Statement? During this you answer 2 key questions: what happened and how it impacted your education. There are different character limits for how much you can write. Impact statement Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Evidence – Statement of Support What is a Statement of Support? • A statement by a 'responsible person' who can confirm what has happened and how it impacted your education. • This supports your impact statement. Who is a responsible person? • Over 21 years of age or older • Has known you for at least 12 months or for the entire duration of the circumstance(s), whichever is shorter • Is not related to you by birth, marriage, or de facto relationship, and does not live with you. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B Statement of support

Category 3 - Disability or Medical Condition Eligibility • Any long or short term learning, physical, sensory or psychiatric medical condition, illness or disability. Important: this is when YOU experience the disability or medical condition. Examples: • Breaking your leg just before a SAC • Experiencing dyslexia • Mental health Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Category 3 - Disability or Medical Condition Evidence required Impact statement Statement of support • Your statement of support must be written by the treating healthcare practitioner that details the condition, its duration and impact. • Health practitioners include GPs, physiotherapists, psychologists, counsellors in the field of health and school nurses. Important to start making appointments early to ensure statements of support are ready before the closing date. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Evidence - Impact Statement for Category 3 Your impact statement has 3 sections that you must complete. 1. WHAT - Name of condition(s), (150 characters maximum) 2. DURATION - Years and months 3. HOW - Impact on education (2000 characters maximum) Impact statement Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Category 4 - Difficult Circumstances Eligibility Examples of circumstances considered: • Refugee or Asylum Seeker status • Death of an immediate family member or friend • Divorce/separation of parents • Natural disaster such as drought, bushfire or flood • Abusive living environment • Disruption of education due to constant relocation • Bullying, harassment or negative treatment because of personal characteristics such as race, religion, sexual characteristics, gender identity or sexual orientation Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B A number of these circumstances may be distressing for some people.

Category 4 - Difficult Circumstances Some other common examples: • Having to support your family working on the farm or business • Travelling long distance to school and unable to study on the bus • Having to translate for your parents who do not speak English • Caring for a family member or someone you live with that experiences a disability or medical condition. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B t of s i l l l fu For a stances not m circu ered and r to id e cons ered ref te i id cons AC webs T the V

Category 4 - Difficult Circumstances Evidence required Impact statement Statement of support • Most circumstances in this category will require you to provide an impact statement and statement of support. • For your statement of support this must be a 'responsible person' who is familiar with the situation and can speak to the impact this had on your education. Eg: teacher, lawyer, police officer. Ask teachers early Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Evidence - Impact Statement for Category 4 Your impact statement has 2 sections that you must complete. 1. WHAT - Name of circumstance(s), timeline (500 characters maximum) 2. HOW - Impact on education (1500 characters maximum) Note: the character limits are different for category 3 and 4! Impact statement Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Category 4 - High-impact circumstances For some high-impact circumstances there is a different process that you will need to follow. This is for the following circumstances: • COVID-19 and remote learning • 2019 -2020 summer bushfires • Refugee or asylum seeker applicants • Sexual assault • Homelessness • Family violence • Formal out-of-home-care. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Category 4 – COVID-19 Impact statement Statement of support Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Category 4 – COVID-19 Impact statement Statement of support Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B Have other impacts NOT covered by those questions? You can still provide an impact statement and statement of support. Your school will provide evidence to support your answers to the COVID-19 question.

Category 4 – 2019/2020 summer bushfires Impact statement Statement of support Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Category 4 – Applying as a refugee or asylum seeker Eligible visa sub classes All other applicants Upload visa grant notice Impact statement Tick Category 4 on the SEAS application Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B This is only available for some visas. If yours is not eligible, or you cannot provide your grant notice you will be automatically prompted for option 2. Statement of support

Category 4 – High impact circumstances High impact categories: • Sexual assault Impact statement • Homelessness • Family violence • Formal out-of-home-care. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B Statement of support

Category 4 – High impact circumstances How to apply Submit SEAS for Category 4 answering ‘yes’ when asked about specific circumstances Upload a letter from a recognised government or community organisation as supporting documentation An impact statement is not required for these circumstances but is available to the applicant if they wish to complete it Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Part 3: SEAS Submitting you application, tips and dates Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Applying for multiple circumstances Question: What do I do if I am applying for multiple circumstances in a category? E. g. • Category 3: broken leg, experience dyslexia. • Category 4: COVID-19 and divorce of parents. Answer: If you are applying for multiple reasons in a category you write only ONE impact statement per category. You can have up to 8 statements of support. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Impact Statement - Example WHAT: I lived in a rural area which meant that I travelled by bus for a long period of time. I am also prone to motion sickness so I could not use this time to study as other students did. I would leave home each morning at 7 am to catch the bus and arrive home around 5. 30 pm at night. HOW: This impacted on my ability to study as I would often be up late at night completing assignments just because of this situation. I often found I was tired, and this impacted on my ability to concentrate in the classroom. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B Impact statement

Impact Statement - Example WHAT: I lived in a rural area which meant that I travelled by bus for a long period of time. I am also prone to motion sickness so I could not use this time to study as other students did. I would leave home each morning at 7 am to catch the bus and arrive home around 5. 30 pm at night. HOW: This impacted on my ability to study as I would often be up late at night completing assignments just because of this situation. I often found I was tired, and this impacted on my ability to concentrate in the classroom. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B Impact statement

Impact Statement - Example WHAT: I lived in a rural area which meant that I travelled by bus for a long period of time. I am also prone to motion sickness so I could not use this time to study as other students did. I would leave home each morning at 7 am to catch the bus and arrive home around 5. 30 pm at night. HOW: This impacted on my ability to study as I would often be up late at night completing assignments just because of this situation. I often found I was tired, and this impacted on my ability to concentrate in the classroom. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B Impact statement

SEAS application demo Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Tips • Write out your statement in a Word document first - you can check for spelling and grammar errors, and character count • Contact your supporting people early – tell them the deadline, book those appointments • Show your responsible person your impact statement. Don't be afraid to ask someone to help you with your impact statement. • Get someone to proofread it or read it out loud • Use clear, specific language • Don’t forget – WHAT and HOW • Include facts - don’t be vague. Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Submitting your evidence There are three ways to submit your supporting evidence to VTAC Uploading • Scanned documents can be uploaded via the VTAC account Hard copy • Documents can be posted to VTAC by mail Online statements of support Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B • Direct entry of the statement using a link sent by email to the provider of the statement

SEAS and Scholarships - Important Dates Open Date Close Date SEAS Monday 3 August (9 am) Friday 9 October (5 pm) Scholarship Monday 3 August (9 am) Friday 9 October (5 pm) Application and supporting documentation Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Useful Links / Support • School Year Level Adviser and Careers Counsellor or Careers Adviser • Website www. VTAC. edu. au or simply Google ‘VTAC SEAS’ • DEAP webinars and Drop-In session http: //bit. do/DEAPWebinars • Drop-In session: Wednesday 30 September 2 pm – 4 pm Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Upcoming Webinars SEAS Webinars – for students SEAS Webinars – for parents, carers and support staff Wednesday 19 August Wednesday 23 September Tuesday 15 September Tuesday 1 October Tuesday 22 September SEAS drop-in support Tuesday 29 September Wednesday 30 September To register: http: //bit. do/DEAPWebinars Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

If this process is distressing for you there is support. Beyond Blue https: //www. beyondblue. org. au – online chat. 3 pm – 12 am. 7 days a week. Online forums. Information for yourself, and your friends and family. 1300 22 4636. 24/7 chat. Headspace https: //headspace. org. au/ - online chat, resources, articles. App – Mindful meditation Centres – all around Melbourne. Staffed by people who are trained and ready to help. Kids Helpline https: //kidshelpline. com. au/ Online chat, resources and information. 1800 55 1800 Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B Don’t forget you have support staff in your school.

http: //bit. do/DEAPFeedback Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B

Q & A Deakin University CRICOS Provider Code: 00113 B