All College-based students enrolling at Open Access College will have an individual face to face interview with a Student Wellbeing Leader at enrolment to assist them in planning for future pathways.
Completion of the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) leads to employment and/or tertiary study at university or in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
Please see specific information in the sections below. The SATAC Guide 2025 can be accessed here: SATAC Guide 2025
This short video from the SACE Board introduces the SACE and how it is achieved.
VET courses enable students to gain specific skills and knowledge for work.
There is a wide range of VET courses available through both TAFE and private training providers. VET courses may be completed while undertaking year 11 and 12, gaining credit at Stage 1 or 2 level, or commenced following SACE completion.
TAFE SA is a major provider of VET.
The SACE Board VET Recognition Register lists over 200 of the most common VET courses and the credits applicable for SACE.
The VET sector can be a complex area to navigate, with many possible pathways. Remember - your Student Wellbeing Leader is there to assist you with planning!
You apply online. Go to www.satac.edu.au
TAFE entry varies depending on whether courses are competitive or non-competitive.
Competitive courses have more applicants than places available to offer. Non-competitive courses will accept all applicants who meet the admission requirements.
Course Admission Requirements (CAR) differ according to the level and type of course. Some courses may not need SACE completion and don’t need an ATAR.
Further information can be found in the course descriptions on the TAFE website:
www.tafesa.edu.au/courses
The Core Skills Profile for Adults (CSPA) can meet admission requirements for some courses. It is a tool designed to indicate reading, writing and numeracy/maths skills.
CSPA information:
https://www.tafesa.edu.au/appl...
Because there are so many entry points pathways for TAFE and private provider courses, it is particularly important to talk to your Student Wellbeing Leader about your VET choices.
Completion of SACE and gaining an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) provides one major pathway to university.
The SATAC Tertiary Entrance 2024 | 2025 | 2026 booklet provides detailed information about university entry via SACE completion. SATAC Publications can be found here.
There are also alternative pathways to university through completed VET qualifications, and special entry, for adult students eighteen years of age and above via completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test: STAT.
Watch the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8FVLgiC8Lw
You apply online. Go to www.satac.edu.au
Applications open 5 August. Fees increase after 30th September. Preferences can be changed until January 2nd.
University entry may be achieved through:
Some university courses require prerequisite subjects, or have assumed knowledge.
The SATAC Tertiary Entrance Booklet 2024|2025|2026 can be accessed here. Here you can find more information regarding Tertiary Entrance (ATAR and how it is calculated).
SATAC Guide 2024 pages 38-77. Listed on these pages are the courses/programs offered by each institution, their SATAC code, Prerequisites (Stage 2 subject) and Assumed Knowledge.
Bonus points schemes, as they were previously called, are now referred to as “adjustment factors.” There are two, the Universities Equity Scheme (five points) and the Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme (two or four points). These replace all previous schemes.
Universities Equity Scheme
Open Access College is not a specified school for this scheme. However, students who meet one of the criteria below can apply for individual adjustments. 5 points are added to the aggregate.
Students are eligible where:
they or their parents are in receipt of a Centrelink means-tested income support payment
they are holders of a Health Care or Pensioner Concession Card
they are the holders of a School Card
You will be provided with instructions on applying for adjustments during your online application.
Universities Language, Literacy and Mathematics Scheme.
Two points are automatically awarded for Stage 2 LOTE, English, English Literary Studies, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics.
Maximum four points, minimum C- grade required.
The maximum adjustment any student can gain is nine, if eligible for both schemes.
Adjustments are made to your university aggregate, boosting your ATAR. Your SATAC Tertiary Entrance Statement does not show your adjusted ATAR. Contact the relevant university or SATAC for this information.
Further information: Tertiary Entrance 2024|2025|2026
SATAC website: https://www.satac.edu.au/adjustment-factors
The definition of “adult” is 18 years of age. STAT, work and life experience can provide access to university courses. For SA, it applies for students who are 18 years of age or over before 1 February 2025.
Check eligibility on page 19-22 SATAC Guide.
The three most common selection criteria for Special Entry are:
Performance in the STAT - Special Tertiary Admissions Test
Assessment of a Personal Competencies Statement
Evidence of employment experience
SATAC Guide.
https://www.satac.edu.au/personal-competencies-statement
STAT preparation workshops are useful.
Students with completed VET qualifications can use these for entry. Eligibility varies – see SATAC Guide 2025 for details.
Each university offers foundation courses. Check their websites for details.
Flinders also has uniTEST: Flinders Uni Test to us if you are interested. uniTEST is offered at Open Access College.
For 2025 entry, Year 11 SACE results are also being considered for entry to university:
SATAC (for applications) www.satac.edu.au
Charles Darwin University www.cdu.edu.au
Central Queensland University www.cqu.edu.au
Flinders University www.flinders.edu.au
SAIBT www.saibt.sa.edu.au
Tabor www.tabor.edu.au
The University of Adelaide www.adelaide.edu.au
Torrens University www.torrens.edu.au
University of South Australia www.unisa.edu.au
TAFE SA www.tafesa.edu.au
Last updated: 09 July 2024