1. Home
  2. Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

Minimum Age 

All applicants (domestic and international) must be 18 or older at the time of enrolment to SAHE undergraduate programs. 

Domestic Students

Domestic students must meet any one of the following minimum academic entry requirements to be eligible for admissions in the Academy’s undergraduate programs: 

  • completion of Year 12- Secondary Education with attainment of a minimum 60 ATAR or equivalent; 
  • successful completion of approved higher education study, including approved preparation courses e.g., Tertiary Preparation Program or Tertiary Orientation Program or equivalent, 1 year of university studies, Certificate IV, or a Foundation Year Program through an accredited institution of higher education offered at: 
    1. Australian Universities 
    2. TAFE Institutes 
    3. Government approved Registered Training Organisations (RTO) 

International Students

International students must meet any one of the following minimum academic entry requirements to be eligible for admissions in the Academy’s undergraduate programs in addition to meeting minimum English Language requirements: 

  • completion of the secondary education qualification (national or international) equivalent to the NSW Higher School Certificate with attainment of a minimum 60 ATAR or equivalent; 
  • approved higher education study, including approved preparation courses from Tertiary Preparation Program, Tertiary Orientation Program or equivalent, a Foundation Year Program through an accredited institution of higher education offered at: 
    1. Australian Universities 
    2. TAFE Institutes 
    3. Government approved Registered Training Organisations (RTO) 

For details regarding minimum English language requirement please see Section 5. of the Admissions Policy and Procedure 

Entry Based On Employment Experience 

Students may be admitted based on Recognition of Prior Learning or relevant employment history. The Academy will assess those admission applications based on the professional skills, and duration and relevance of work experience. SAHE may require referee reports for entry based on criteria in this category. 

Mature Age Applicants

  • Mature age applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirements of the Academy may be eligible for admissions if: 
  1. they are 21 or older on 1 March of the year they intend to start study; 
  2. do not have an ATAR (or equivalent result) for admission to any program; 
  3. do not have a record of tertiary study. 
  • Mature age applicants will be assessed on either recent academic achievement (e.g., Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) or on recent work experience. Decisions will also be based on skills and likelihood to succeed with tertiary study. 
  • If as a mature age applicant your applying for advanced standing, please refer to the Advanced Standing Policy. 
  • The offer will be made only if the Dean is assured the applicant has a reasonable expectation to succeed in the program on the basis of their portfolio submission. In accordance with this Policy the SAHE Dean is responsible for the admission decisions of all mature age applicants. 

English Language Requirements

International applicants are required to provide proof of English language proficiency along with minimum academic requirements for admission in SAHE undergraduate programs. 

If the applicants’ first language or previous study was in a language other than English, it is mandatory to provide any one of the following English language test results. 

For further details please refer to the Admissions Policy and Procedure and English Language Proficiency Policy

Test Acceptable Score
IELTS 6.0 (or higher) (no component lower than 5.5)
TOEFL (electronic) 213 (or higher) (with a minimum essay rating of 4.5)
TOEFL (internet-based) 80 (or higher) (with a minimum 19 in all bands)
Pearson (PTE Academic) 50 (or higher) (with all communicative skills scores 50 or above)