Entry Requirements and Pathways
View all your entry pathways to study at ACPE
ACPE recognises that you are more than a number, that’s why our courses are not ATAR dependent. ACPE recognises applicants with a NSW HSC (Higher School Certificate) or equivalent, vocational education and training (VET) study, work and life experience, overseas qualifications, and more.
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Finding your best entry option
To help you find the best entry program, select a category that best represents your current status from the list below. Alternatively, you can view all entry pathways.
Having trouble finding a suitable entry pathway?
General Admission criteria
ACPE recognises that you are more than a number. Our courses are not ATAR dependent. The general admission criteria listed below shows the multiple avenues that you can undertake to get admission into ACPE.
You must meet at least ONE of the following criteria to be considered for admission
If you are unable to meet the general admission requirements below, there are pathways available. Further information can be found by clicking here.
- A minimum NSW HSC (Higher School Certificate) or equivalent. ACPE will review your HSC results to determine if you require any additional support in your studies. We will counsel you about the most appropriate course for you based on your previous studies and results
- Performance in relevant Year 11 results for early entry pending release of HSC results
- A completed Certificate III/IV, Associate Diploma, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Tertiary Preparation Certificate from a TAFE or other recognised VET provider qualification
- One year full-time or equivalent in a degree course at a recognised higher education institute in Australia or equivalent
- Satisfaction of entry requirements specified under formal articulation arrangements as determined by the ACPE Academic Board
- Completion of a Big Picture Education Portfolio at a Big Picture School, supported with a recommendation from the school principal
- A recognised overseas qualification with demonstrated proficiency in English. To learn more, click here
- Demonstration to the CEO or the Dean’s satisfaction of good selection prospects as a student (for example, relevant work experience and motivation to study), and ineligibility to compete for admission based on the above academic achievement criteria
- If you have post-secondary or tertiary qualifications, you may be able to receive credit for previous studies. To learn more, click here
Applicants to ACPE who have completed Year 12 must have a minimum NSW HSC average of 60 (calculated from the average of the highest 6 units completed), or equivalent. Applicants who have completed Year 12 with a HSC average lower than 60 may be considered eligible for entry with other post-school study (e.g. Tertiary Preparation Certificate, VET study, one year study at another higher education institution).
All applicants for entry to any course must meet minimum computer literacy standards as determined by the College and have unrestricted access to the internet and a personal email account. Domestic applicants must be 18 years of age or turn 18 within their first semester of study. International applicants must be 18 years of age or older. All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements for their chosen course of study.
For courses that involve work integrated learning where students may deal with children (i.e. under 18 years of age) such as education courses, applicants must be aware that a valid Working with Children Check must be supplied to the College prior to the student undertaking the relevant coursework. If the applicant knows of any reason why they will not pass a Working with Children Check, they should not apply for entry to these courses.
Applicants with any previous completed or incomplete higher education study will be considered for admission on the basis of those studies.
If the higher education study was completed in a country other than Australia, the qualification must have been assessed as equivalent to an Australian higher education qualification. If you wish to apply for credit for previous study, you must submit an Application for Recognition of Prior Learning form along with all the relevant qualification and verification documents to support your claim.
Please send your completed RPL form and the accompanying documents to the enrolment advisor.
For information about Recognition of Prior Learning refer to: https://acpe.edu.au/admissions/educational-pathways/recognition-of-prior-learning/
Please note that admission will not be made to applicants who are currently suspended or excluded from any higher education course until the term of their suspension or exclusion has elapsed. If you have served the period of exclusion, your application will be considered.
Applicants who have completed an AQF qualification of Certificate III or IV or above or a Tertiary Preparation Certificate may be considered eligible for entry. Applicants with incomplete VET study may also be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
If the VET study was completed in a country other than Australia, the qualification must have been assessed as equivalent to an Australian qualification.
If you wish to apply for credit for previous study, you must submit an Application for Recognition of Prior Learning form along with all the relevant qualification and verification documents to support your claim.
Please send your completed RPL form and the accompanying documents to the enrolment advisor. For information about Recognition of Prior Learning refer to https://acpe.edu.au/admissions/educational-pathways/recognition-of-prior-learning/
Applicants to ACPE who have completed Year 12 within the last two years will be considered for entry based on their performance in subjects relevant to the course they applied for; OR have a minimum NSW HSC average of 60 (calculated from the average of the highest 6 units completed), or equivalent. Applicants who have completed Year 12 but do not meet either of these two criteria may be considered eligible for entry with other post-school study (e.g. Tertiary Preparation Certificate, VET study, one year study at another higher education institution).
Applicants who may not meet the educational requirements outlined above but who can demonstrate some educational disadvantage in schooling, will be considered on a case by case basis.
Mature age students (21 years or over) who have not completed Year 12 and who have relevant work or life experience that indicates they would be able to manage the level of coursework required will be considered for admission on a case by case basis.
If you wish to apply for credit for industry experience relevant to your course, refer to https://acpe.edu.au/admissions/educational-pathways/recognition-of-industry-experience/
ACPE considers commonly accepted overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications that are equivalent to Australian Year 12 standard or an AQF qualification. See commonly accepted overseas secondary qualifications at https://uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/overseas-qualifications
If you hold qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency. If you do not meet the University’s English language proficiency requirements you cannot be offered a place.
Unable to meet the general admission requirements? Don’t sweat it.
For entry into ACPE courses you have to meet the minimum English Language requirements.
If you are from an English Speaking background or education (first language speaker of English) you will meet the requirement. If you are a citizen or have permanent long term residency (minimum 10 years) and have completed high school or a degree from one of these countries, you will meet the requirement.
You can meet the entry requirement if:
- Your first language is English; or
- You have completed your final four years of secondary schooling at an institution that teaches entirely in English.
i. Secondary Schooling or equivalent:
If you complete your HSC in NSW should complete English Standard or English Advanced.
If you complete English studies you may still be eligible for entry but may require additional support or may require a reduced enrolment load.
ii. Tertiary Study (including VET and Higher Education):
You need satisfactory completion of ONE of the following:
- The equivalent of an Australian Cert IV course or higher that has been approved by ACPE as requiring sufficient English skills
- Study in an English medium vocational institution equivalent to at least one year of full time study at an Australian VET diploma level or higher.
- At least two units of higher education study (minimum 12 credit points) of which at least one is an English rich unit, taken as part of an award or non-award course.
iii. English Language Course
English Language Preparatory courses aren’t normally accepted for applicants whose secondary schooling was taught entirely in English. Applications are subject to approval by the CEO and Dean on a case-by-case basis.
iv. English Test
If you apply and meet all the entry requirements except the English requirements, you may be asked to sit a STAT test to demonstrate your English Proficiency. This requires approval from the CEO and Dean.
If you are from an Non-English speaking background or education
You can meet the English language requirements through any of the ways listed below if you are from a non-English speaking background or you haven’t completed your final four years of secondary schooling at an institution that teaches entirely in English.
Please note: time limits may apply to the evidence you provide to demonstrate your proficiency.
You can meet the English language requirements if you have completed one of the below requirements:
1. Tertiary study (VET and higher education)
You need satisfactory completion of study in an English medium educational institution equivalent to one year full time study at Australian VET diploma level or higher or at undergraduate award level or higher.
2. English language course
You require satisfactory completion of a preparatory course in English at the appropriate level. ACPE has a formal articulation agreement with Navitas English. Students who complete Academic English 4 (AE4) with an overall score of 60% with no skill lower than 55% are able to gain entry into ACPE courses.
3. English Test
If English is not your first language, you can demonstrate English Proficiency by:
- Achieving an Academic IELTS overall score of at least 6.5, with a minimum 6.0 in each of the reading, writing, listening and speaking subtests.
- Achieving a TOEFL iBT with a minimum of 85 overall and a minimum of 22 for writing. TOEFL paper based test scores are not accepted.
- Achieving a PTE Academic with a minimum of 58 overall score with a minimum of 52 in each of the reading, writing, listening and speaking subtests.
- Achieving a Cambridge English Scale (CAE and CPE) – minimum of 176.
Education programs
- Achieving an Academic IELTS overall score of at least 7.5, and having no scores below 7.0 and a score of no less than 8 in speaking and listening.
ACPE Student Profile Admissions
The below graph covers admissions for Semester 1, 2026 (click to enlarge)
ACPE does not admit students based on ATAR. Recent secondary education admissions are recorded in (D) (iii) above.
* The Bachelor of Physical Activity for Health provides a pathway to the Bachelor of Education (Physical and Health Education) for students who do not meet the entry requirements for the education degree.
** The Bachelor of Dance Practice provides a pathway to the Bachelor of Dance Education for students who do not meet the entry requirements to the education degree.
Fees & Funding
Without a doubt, higher education is a valuable investment in your future. But the subject of fees and funding can quickly get confusing. We’ve laid out some helpful sections so you can track down the answers to your questions. For more information relating to fees and funding, please click here.
FEE-HELP available to eligible domestic students
If you are an Australian citizen, on a New Zealand Special Category visa (SCV) or permanent humanitarian visa holder and meet the residency requirements, then you may be eligible to apply for FEE Help.
Tuition Fee Information and List of Units
Click on the relevant link below to view tuition fees.
ACPE Admission FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Yes, ACPE offers various forms of financial assistance for both domestic and international students. Here are a list of financial assistance programs on offer:
• FEE-HELP – Domestic students studying any of our courses may be eligible to access FEE-HELP, a tuition loans scheme offered by the Federal government. FEE-HELP allows students to defer all or part of the cost of their study and pay it off through the taxation system once they are working full time. See our website for more information: https://www.acpe.edu.au/future-students/admissions/fee-help
• Austudy – ACPE’s degrees are approved for Austudy, for those students with a minimum 75% study load. See our website for more information: https://www.acpe.edu.au/future-students/admissions/financial-assistance
• Abstudy – Abstudy is a living allowance for Indigenous secondary or tertiary students, for which local ACPE students may be eligible. See our website for more information: https://www.acpe.edu.au/future-students/admissions/financial-assistance
Upon assessment of your application, applicants will be notified of your application outcome. Successful applicants will receive an offer letter via email.
To accept your offer and proceed with your enrolment, follow the instructions provided in the offer letter. International students must accept their offer of enrolment by signing and returning the Written Agreement.
Applications for advanced standing / academic credit / recognition of prior learning: submit an Application for Recognition of Prior Learning form along with all the relevant qualification and verification documents to support the claim. Send your application and all relevant documents to your enrolment advisor.
Domestic students wishing to defer your start date or suspend your studies after the start date should advise the College in writing by emailing Student Services at studentservices@acpe.edu.au.
International students wishing to defer your start date should advise the College in writing by emailing international@acpe.edu.au. International students should also refer to the following policies as financial penalties may apply, depending on the timing of your request to defer your start date:
- Deferring, Suspending or Cancelling Enrolment Policy – International Students
- Refund Policy – Domestic and International Students
All fees and charges for students are outlined on the website at: https://www.acpe.edu.au/future-students/admissions/fees.
Policies relating to fees and any changes to fees for domestic and international students are the:
- Fees Policy.
- Refund Policy – Domestic and International Students.
- Remission of Financial Liability Due to Special Circumstances Policy.
Fees are subject to change throughout the life of the course. Fee changes will be published with appropriate notice and will be made available on the website and relevant student documents. Financial assistance is available to eligible domestic students. Refer to https://acpe.edu.au/admissions/fees/ for details.
Yes. ACPE is very proud to award scholarships to commencing students to acknowledge achievement and recognise those who are willing to go above and beyond, who will ultimately succeed and become active contributors within our community. ACPE is committed to providing an equitable program that promotes success and inclusivity across a range of population groups.
For more information please click here.
Yes, ACPE supports elite athletes during their study at ACPE. To see more details about our Elite Athletes program, click here.
Yes, as inherent requirements are the essential tasks and activities necessary of a course or unit that you have to be able to do to demonstrate the abilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of the course or unit.
To allow you to make informed choices about your courses, we have identified the inherent requirements for your courses which you can view by clicking here.
ACPE offers a range of early entry and alternate entry pathways to help you enter a degree. If you are looking to turn your passion for sport, health, education or dance into a career, an industry-recognised qualification from ACPE will give you the foundation you need.
Learn more about our Early Entry program by clicking here.