Goal 1:
No Poverty
Bottom Financial Quintile Admission Target
The University of Newcastle has always maintained a longstanding commitment to equity in higher education, demonstrated by our strategic admissions target: at least 20% of commencing domestic students must come from low socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds. This target aligns with the Australian Government’s Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP), which aims to increase access to tertiary education for students from disadvantaged communities.
Equity, inclusion, and opportunity are core values at the University, and this admissions target reflects a deliberate effort to support educational fairness both regionally and nationally. By ensuring that one in five domestic students comes from a low SES background, the University not only meets federal benchmarks but also contributes meaningfully to reducing educational disadvantage across Australia.
This initiative is supported by a comprehensive suite of outreach, support, and retention programs designed to empower students from underrepresented backgrounds to thrive at University and beyond.
HEPPP provides funding to universities to implement strategies that improve access to undergraduate education for people from regional and remote areas, low SES backgrounds, and Indigenous communities. It also supports efforts to improve retention and completion rates among these student groups. The program underpins the Government’s goal of having 20% of university enrolments filled by students from low SES backgrounds.
In 2024, students from low SES backgrounds represented 21.8% of the University of Newcastle’s domestic enrolments. This is an increase from 2023, where students from low SES backgrounds represented 21.4% of the University of Newcastle’s domestic enrolments. The University has exceeded the HEPPP target for the past five consecutive years and continues to lead in enrolling more than 20% of its domestic students from the lowest financial quintile.
» For more information, please visit https://www.education.gov.au/heppp.
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.