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?
Admission criteria
ACPE recognises that you are more than a number. our courses are not ATAR dependent. To be considered for admission, you must meet the admission criteria for at least one of the applicant categories below and satisfy the general requirements.
General Requirements (All Applicants)
All applicants must:
- Meet the admission requirements for at least one applicant category below.
- Meet the English language requirements for their chosen course.
- Meet minimum computer literacy standards, have access to internet access, and a personal email account.
- Be at least 18 years old (or turn 18 during their first semester for domestic students). International students must be 18 years or older.
- Obtain a valid Working With Children Check before undertaking required placements in courses involving children (e.g. Education programs)
You may be eligible if you have completed or partially completed study at a recognised higher education institution. Admission will be assessed based on your previous academic performance.
Additional information:
- You may apply for credit (Recognition of Prior Learning – RPL) for previous studies.
- Applicants currently suspended or excluded from another higher education institution are not eligible until the exclusion or suspension period has ended
You may be eligible if you have:
- Completed a Certificate III or Certificate IV, or
- Completed or partially completed a Diploma or Advanced Diploma
- Completed a Tertiary Preparation Certificate.
You may be eligible if you have:
- Completed at least 4 subjects in HSC including English or interstate equivalent, and
- Demonstrated strong performance in subjects relevant to your chosen course.
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ACPE courses | Minimum standards | Recommended subjects |
Education | Three Band 5 including English Standard; OR Four Band 3 including English standard for indirect entry. | English Standard or above & 3 other HSC subjects |
Dance | Band 3 in English Standard and another subject | English Standard or above, Dance & 2 other HSC subjects |
Health Science | Band 3 in English Standard and another subject | English Standard or above & 3 other HSC subjects (Mathematic; Health & Movement; Business Studies; Biology; Chemistry; Earth and Environmental Science; Physics and Investigating Science) |
Other courses | Band 3 in English Standard and another subject. Lower band requirements accepted for diploma and associate degrees. | English Standard or above & 3 other HSC subjects |
Early Entry Offer could be made to Current Year 12 applicants who achieved satisfactory Year 11 results before the release of HSC results in December. Read here for details.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are a mature-age applicant (21 years or older) without Year 12 qualifications; and
- Can demonstrate relevant work, industry, or life experience that indicates you can successfully complete the course; or
- Have experienced educational disadvantage and do not meet the standard academic requirements. Applications are assessed individually.
You may also apply for recognition of relevant industry experience where applicable.
You may be eligible if you hold overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications that are equivalent to:
- Australian Year 12 qualifications; or
- An Australian AQF qualification.
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Additional requirements:
- Qualifications must be formally assessed as equivalent to Australian standards.
- Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language of instruction must provide evidence of English proficiency.
- Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements cannot be offered a place.
Other Admission Pathways
You may also be eligible through:
- Formal articulation agreements approved by ACPE.
- Completion of a Big Picture Education Portfolio supported by the school principal.
- Pathway courses for applicants unable to meet standard admission criteria.
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Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Applicants with previous tertiary or VET study (diploma or above) may be eligible to receive credit towards their course through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Supporting documentation will be required.
Unable to meet the general admission requirements? Don’t sweat it.
English Language Requirements
To study at ACPE, you must meet the minimum English language requirement.
If English IS your first language
If English IS NOT your first language
If English IS your first language
Secondary School
You need to have completed your final four years of secondary schooling at a school from one of these countries where all teaching was in English.
- NSW HSC applicants should complete English Standard or English Advanced.
- Applicants who have completed English Studies may still be eligible but may require additional academic support or a reduced study load.
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Tertiary Study (VET or Higher Education)
Successfully complete one of the following:
- An Australian Certificate IV qualification (or equivalent).
- At least one year of full-time study at diploma level or higher in an institution from one of these countries where teaching is in English.
If English IS NOT your first language
You must meet one of the following requirements. Evidence may be subject to time limits.
- Tertiary Study
Successfully complete at least one year of full-time study at diploma level or higher in an institution where teaching is in English.
- English Language Course
Complete an approved English preparation course.
ACPE accepts Navitas Academic English 4 (AE4) with:
- Overall score of 60% or higher; and
- No individual skill score below 55%.
- Approved English Tests
You can demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following. Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date is accepted.
| Test | Minimum Requirement for non-education courses | Minimum Requirement for education courses |
| IELTS Academic | Overall 6.5; minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking | Overall 7.5; minimum 7.0 in Reading and Writing and 7.5 in Listening and Speaking |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall 85; minimum 22 in Writing | Overall 100; minimum 25 in Writing |
| PTE Academic | Overall 58; minimum 52 in each skill area | Overall 70; minimum 65 in each skill area |
| Cambridge English (CAE/CPE) | Overall 176 | Overall 185 |
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.