How to apply

The Australian National University (ANU) has an Indigenous Australian Admission Scheme that enables prospective students to be admitted to undergraduate programs if those prospective students do not hold qualifications which meet the formal admission requirements of the University.

To be eligible for consideration under the scheme prospective students must:

• be of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;
• identify as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
• be accepted as such by the community/ies in which he/she has been or is associated.

To apply through the scheme, you follow the standard application process to the University (see Admission) for the program you wish to apply for, and also complete a Supplementary Form - Indigenous Australian Admission Scheme.You will need to send the Supplementary Form to the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre by 31 October for First Semester enrolment or 30 May for Second Semester enrolment. Applicants through the scheme are also interviewed and complete assessment tasks, which may involve reading, writing and listening skills. This process is conducted over two to three days and requires the prospective student to attend the University campus in Canberra.

More information about the Indigenous Australian Admission Scheme.

Planning your studies

The ANU website includes lots of information that will help you with planning your studies. See the Undergraduate Handbook for outlines of program structure and lists of courses offered at the University. The Study@ANU site is useful as a first point of contact for prospective students to find out about the programs (degrees) offered at ANU.

The Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre can also give you advice on planning your studies. Drop into the Centre, or make an appointment to see one of our staff. If we aren’t able to answer your questions, we can help you find the person who can.

Financing your studies

Financial assistance

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students may obtain financial assistance through the Aboriginal Study Assistance Scheme (ABSTUDY). This scheme is administered by the Centrelink, and prospective students are advised to lodge application forms at least six weeks before the start of their course. ABSTUDY can be contacted by telephone on 13 2317 or online.

Scholarships

There are a number of scholarships available for Indigenous students. See the Scholarships website for current information on these and other scholarship opportunities.

Living in Canberra

Canberra, the nation’s capital, offers a unique lifestyle of city and country. It is a vibrant city with an immense number of attractions, including the Australian War Memorial, National Museum, National Library, Old Parliament House and Parliament House, National Science and Technology Centre (Questacon) and the High Court of Australia to name a few. Located in close proximity to the NSW snowfields and the NSW South Coast, Canberra offers many natural attractions that are unsurpassed anywhere in Australia. Canberra is known as the "Bush Capital" as there are numerous parks, lakes and bicycle tracks covering the city.

Canberra has an active social scene with many of Canberra’s nightclubs and cafes located within walking distance of ANU.

Canberra also has a number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations which the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre works closely with. These include Health, Youth and Housing Associations.

For further information on Canberra, visit the About ANU website.

Accommodation

ANU has eight Halls and Colleges ranging from self-catered to fully-catered, depending on your individual requirements. We understand that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have families wishing to accompany them during their studies at ANU. We can assist in finding suitable accommodation either through local Aboriginal organisations or through the ANU Accommodation Service. The ANU Accommodation Service will direct you to the most suitable accommodation services and has excellent links with members operating in private sector housing.

All accommodation enquiries should be made through the ANU University Accommodation Service on telephone (02) 6125 1100 or see the website.