Rural and remote status assessment
In order to be considered under RRAS a candidate must have resided in a rural/remote location for at least five years consecutively or ten years cumulatively. Where appropriate, factors such as schools attended by the candidate (Kindergarten through to Year 12), work experience, work history and a statement from a rural community leader (supporting and validating the student's rural status) will be taken into account.
Details concerning your rural/remote status should be listed on the RRAS direct University application in chronological order starting with the most recent and working backwards.
A candidate's rural/remote status will be assessed based on information provided on the candidates RRAS application. Candidates should note that they may be asked to provide documentation to validate the information provided; for example, a letter from a past school or a letter from a previous employer.
RRAS supporting documentation must be received by 4 October 2024. RRAS applications with no supporting documentation or incomplete documentation will be transferred to the standard non-rural application pool after 4 October 2024. Supporting documentation will not be returned and copies must be certified by a Justice of the Peace.
The University of Newcastle/University of New England will classify an individual's background as rural or non-rural based on the Federal Government's ASGS-RA (2016) Classification.
The University of Newcastle/University of New England reserve the right to check all information provided in support of a RRAS application, including contacting schools and referees.
RRAS candidates who do not to satisfy the rural/remote criteria will be advised by mail and their applications will be automatically transferred to the standard (non-rural) CSP applicant pool.
Verification of rural/remote status
All RRAS candidates are required to provide a statement in support of their rural/remote status. This statement needs to be from a rural community leader from the local community. The purpose of the statement is to validate a candidate's rural/remote status - it is not a character reference. The statement must include a rural/remote location in which you resided (street address, town, postcode) and the period of residence covered by the statement.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.