Indigenous Early Entry Scheme

Imagine having a guaranteed place in a law program before beginning your final HSC exams. Newcastle Law School is offering Indigenous students the opportunity to gain early entry to our degree.

Recognising the need to increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian legal profession and allied fields, our School is inviting Indigenous students currently preparing for their Higher School Certificate to apply for entry to the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined.

This is a five-year, full-time program, in which you will complete your Bachelor of Laws (Honours) alongside another degree program of your choice.

Gabby, Indigenous Early Entry Scheme

Not only will you get early entry into this degree, you will have access to:

  • a guaranteed place in University accommodation at the Callaghan Campus
  • a pre-law orientation program
  • a mentoring scheme pairing new Indigenous students with more senior Indigenous students and legal practitioners
  • support services available via the Wollotuka Institute.

At the School of Law and Justice you will be part of a supportive community of academics, staff and students. We develop graduates who are ethically responsible global citizens, who have a strong sense of social justice, uphold the rule of law and are committed to the highest professional standards.

Establishing Status

Before you apply for the Indigenous Law Early Entry Scheme, you must complete and submit your application via the Applicant Portal for persons seeking access to specific programs of study, student services or study opportunities available to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons within the University. As outlined in the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander – Establishing Status within the University Policy an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person means any person who:

  • is of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
  • identifies as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
  • is accepted as such by the community in which you live or have lived.

To establish Aboriginality and/or Torres Strait Islander status you must complete and submit your application with supporting documentation as per Section 3 of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander - Establishing Status within the University Procedure, via the Applicant Portal.

Please complete the checklist of supporting documentation in the form. You can download the form section 4 of the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander – Establishing Status within the University Policy

You need to complete this step before you apply for the Indigenous early entry scheme and no later than 11 September 2023. If you have any questions about what you need to do to complete this step, please email PVCIndigenous@newcastle.edu.au

How to apply (current HSC students)

Apply online via UAC for admission to Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined 
UAC applications opened on 5 April 2023. Applications must be completed, paid for, and submitted by 11:59 on 11 September 2023.

You will need to provide:

  • An Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in the program outlining why you want to study Law, what skills you possess to succeed at university, and your career goals.
  • A copy of your two most recent school reports (clear coloured scanned copy or a certified black and white photocopy), demonstrating performance levels of:
    • English (Advanced) of 75 or higher or English (Standard) of 80 or higher; and
    • Two additional subjects at 75 or higher.
  • A letter of recommendation for the program from your school Principal, Year Advisor, Subject Coordinator or Careers Adviser.
  • A letter of recommendation from an Aboriginal Elder or Community member (this could be the Aboriginal Liaison Officer at your school).
  • If you are a remote student without access to an ATAR-qualifying HSC English course but you wish to apply for this program, please contact us to discuss alternative ways to demonstrate your school achievement.
  • Confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander – Establishing Status within the University Policy as outlined within the University Policy and above.

NOTE: Newcastle Law School does not wish to discourage potential applicants who have achieved close to the above standards but have faced challenges that have limited their academic performance. If you have achieved a performance over 70% in three subjects, including English, and have faced complicating circumstances during your HSC studies, we welcome your application.

Your EOI, school reports, letters of recommendation, and confirmation of A&TSI status all need to be submitted together in an email by 11:59pm 11 September 2023.

How to apply (current Enabling students)

You will need to provide:

  • A one page Expression of Interest (EOI) outlining why you want to study Law, what skills you possess to succeed at university, and your career goals.
  • The University will access your Semester 1, 2022 academic results. Applicants should have achieved a Distinction average in all enabling program courses.
    • Note: Newcastle Law School does not wish to discourage potential applicants who have achieved close to the above standards but have faced challenges that have limited their academic performance. If you have achieved a high credit average in Semester 1, we welcome your application.
  • A letter of recommendation from the Indigenous Enabling Academic Advisor and /or relevant  Program Convenor. This letter should also update the panel on the applicant’s academic progress in Semester 2.
  • A one page letter of recommendation from an Aboriginal Elder/Community member. This letter should include how long the referee has known the applicant, what community involvement the applicant has, the applicant’s skills that suit them to university study, and why the referee is recommending the applicant for entry to Law.
  • Confirmation of  Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status as outlined in the  Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander – Establishing Status within the University Policy and above.

This is required for Open Foundation and Newstep students only. Yapug students have already provided Confirmation as a requirement of their admission to the Yapug program.

NOTE: Newcastle Law School does not wish to discourage potential applicants who have achieved close to the above standards but have faced challenges that have limited their academic performance. If you have achieved a performance over 70% in three subjects, including English, and have faced complicating circumstances during your HSC studies, we welcome your application.

Your EOI, letters of recommendation, and proof of A&TSI status (if required) must all be submitted via email to NLSIEE@newcastle.edu.au by 11:59pm on 11 September 2023.

The enabling to undergraduate direct admission process will open in mid-October. Enabling program students who receive a conditional offer through the Indigenous Early Entry Scheme must ensure that they have also submitted a UON direct application for the Combined Laws program before the closing date. Failure to submit the direct application will prevent an offer being made.

For further information on the direct application admission process, refer to Enabling programs to Undergraduate study.

Selection and interview process

  • All complete applications will be considered.
  • Selected students will be shortlisted for interview.
  • Interviews are provisionally scheduled for 25-26 September either in person or via Skype with a University panel that includes an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander university staff member.
  • Successful UAC applicants will be offered a place in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined program when the UAC October Round 1 offers are released on 6 October 2023 (prior to the commencement of HSC exams).
  • Successful Enabling applicants will be offered a place in the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined program upon successful completion of their Enabling program at the end of Semester 2 2023.

More information

For further information please email NLSIEE@newcastle.edu.au

For information about the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander – Establishing Status within the University Policy please email PVCIndigenous@newcastle.edu.au