Refugee Early Entry Scheme

Imagine having a guaranteed place in a law program before beginning your final HSC exams. The School of Law and Justice is offering students from a refugee background the opportunity to gain early entry to our degree.

Recognising the need to increase the representation of people from refugee backgrounds in the Australian legal profession and allied fields, our School is inviting applications from eligible students currently preparing for their Higher School Certificate or enrolled in an enabling program 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.

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 students with more senior students
• Support services coordinated through the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education.

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.

How to apply (current HSC students)

Apply online via UAC for admission to Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined 

UAC applications opened on 3 April 2024. Applications must be completed, paid for, and submitted by 11:59 on 11 September 2023.

Gather supporting documents

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.
• Applicants must provide evidence that they are ‘humanitarian arrivals’. You are eligible to apply if you hold or if you have previously held one of the following visas: REFUGEES (subclass 200), SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN ENTRANTS (subclass 201-204), ONSHORE PROTECTION VISAS (subclass 866), or REFERRED STAY (PERMANENT) visa (subclass 852). You are eligible to apply if you are now an Australian citizen who previously held one of these visas. You are also eligible to apply if you can provide evidence that you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and that you have a refugee background (for example, if your parent/s or primary carer holds or held one of the following visas: REFUGEES (subclass 200), SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN ENTRANTS (subclass 201-204), and ONSHORE PROTECTION VISAS (subclass 866)).
• Applicants must provide evidence that they are ‘humanitarian arrivals’. Eligible visa classes are: REFUGEES (200), SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN ENTRANTS (201-204), and ONSHORE PROTECTION VISAS (866).

NOTE: The School of Law and Justice 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

Submit your supporting documents

Your EOI, school reports, letters of recommendation, and visa documentation all need to be submitted together by 11:59pm 11 September 2024. Submit via email to: NLSREE@newcastle.edu.au

How to apply (current Enabling students)

Gather supporting documents

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, 2024 academic results. Applicants should have achieved a Distinction average in all enabling program courses.
  • Note: The School of Law and Justice 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 your  Program Convenor and/or English Language Support teacher. This letter should also update the panel on the applicant’s academic progress in Semester 2.
• Applicants must provide evidence that they are ‘humanitarian arrivals’. You are eligible to apply if you hold or if you have previously held one of the following visas: REFUGEES (subclass 200), SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN ENTRANTS (subclass 201-204),  ONSHORE PROTECTION VISAS (subclass 866), or REFERRED STAY (PERMANENT) visa (subclass 852). You are eligible to apply if you are now an Australian citizen who previously held one of these visas. You are also eligible to apply if you can provide evidence that you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and that you have a refugee background (for example, if your parent/s or primary carer holds or held one of the following visas: REFUGEES (subclass 200), SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN ENTRANTS (subclass 201-204), and ONSHORE PROTECTION VISAS (subclass 866)).
• Applicants must provide evidence that they are ‘humanitarian arrivals’. Eligible visa classes are: REFUGEES (200), SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN ENTRANTS (201-204), and ONSHORE PROTECTION VISAS (866).

Submit your supporting documents

Your EOI, school reports, letters of recommendation, and visa documentation all need to be submitted together by 11:59pm 11 September 2024. Submit via email to: NLSREE@newcastle.edu.au

Apply through UON Direct Admissions process for enabling program students

The enabling to undergraduate direct admission process will open in mid-October. Enabling program students who receive a conditional offer through the Refugee 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 process

• All complete applications will be considered.
• Selected students will be shortlisted for interview.
• Interviews are provisionally scheduled for 20 September either in person or via Zoom with a University panel that includes staff of the School of Law and Justice and a representative of the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education.
• 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 4 October 2024 (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 2024.

More information

For further information please email: NLSREE@newcastle.edu.au