Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors are additional factors that UNE considers about applicants who are applying on the basis of thier Australian Tertiary Admission Rank 'ATAR'. These are available to anyone applying for studying with UNE on the basis of their ATAR (including non-current and current school leavers).
If an applicant meets the criteria for the adjustment factor type then additional points can be applied above the applicant’s ATAR to provide an applicant's course Selection Rank. In the past these adjustment factors were known as “bonus points”.
At UNE adjustment factors that are applied to admission for 2025 are capped at a maximum of 10 points.
It is important to note the adjustments factors that are added do not change your ATAR score they change your selection rank for your preferred course/s. That is your selection rank = your ATAR + adjustment factors.
How to apply for an adjustment
The table below explains how to apply for these adjustments factors. In most cases you will see that information you already tell us as part of your application anyway can be used. Where documents should be uploaded to your application this is also specified.
Adjustment Factor Amounts for 2025 admissions ^*
| Adjustment factor type | Application information |
|---|---|
| Regional Rural Remote Applicants | Information you already tell us in your application about your residential postcode is used. There is no need to provide further documentation. These classifications are the same as those noted/classified in this Health Workforce Locator tool. + 5 points adjusted to your ATAR |
| Applicants who Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander | Information you already tell us in your application about whether or not you identify and as Aboriginal and/or a Torres Strait Islander is used. As long as you have supplied this, where it is already requested during your application process, there is usually no need to provide further documentation. + 10 points adjusted to your ATAR |
| Applicants who are 21 years of age and over | The date of birth information that you already tell us in your application is used to calculate your age. There is usually no need to provide further documentation unless a discrepancy occurs in any records about your date of birth. + 5 points adjusted to your ATAR |
| Applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds | Information you already tell us in your application is used. Unless there is inconsistent or contradictory within the information supplied, there is usually no need to provide further documentation. + 5 points adjusted to your ATAR |
| Applicants who are first in their family to attend University | Information you already tell us in your application about your parent's highest level of study (/attainment) can be used. As long as you have supplied this, there is usually no need to provide further documentation. + 5 points adjusted to your ATAR |
| Applicants with a Disability or Medical Condition | Information you already tell us in your application to help make us aware that you have a disability, or medical condition can be used. As long as you have supplied this information when you applied, then there is usually no need to provide further documentation. + 5 points adjusted to your ATAR |
| Applicants who were a School Captain, a Duke of Edinburgh award recipient or a Queen’s Scout/Guide | For those applicants who were/are a School Captain- please supply evidence uploaded to your online application about your School Captaincy that has been verified by your School on their letterhead. + 5 points adjusted to your ATAR |
| Applicants from Under-Represented Schools | Please ensure you supply information about your secondary schooling during your application. Typically your School information is always collected for an applicant applying on the basis of thier ATAR anyway. The information you provide us about the School you studied at can be used to check the School's information to consider under-representation via the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA). + 5 points adjusted to your ATAR |
Please note the following over-arching criteria applies to the above table:
*Adjustments are capped at a maximum total of 10 points for 2025 admissions.
^Adjustment factors do not apply to courses with entry requirements/criteria that are: additional to an ATAR; or do not relate to an ATAR.
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Exclusions
There are a small number of courses that Adjustment Factors do not apply to. This is typically because entry into the courses is not solely based on an ATAR/Selection Rank. Examples of courses that do not attract adjustment factors include:
- Courses with entry requirements/ criteria that have additional criteria to an ATAR. E.g., Bachelor of Medical Science and Doctor of Medicine
- Courses where the ATAR is not used as a basis for Admissions because other specific qualifications are required for entry into the course. E.g., Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Organisational Leadership
UNE administers Adjustment Factors for student admissions in line with the provisions of our Admissions, Credit and Enrolment Policy and the ATAR Procedure.
