We’re here to help level your playing field. If you take part in high-level activities in sports or the arts, you might be eligible for ACU’s Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP).
Learn more about EAPP benefits and services, check your eligibility and find out how to apply.
Encouraging excellence with the EAPP
As a founding member of the Elite Athlete Friendly University agreement, we welcome all applicants to the Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP). We couldn’t be prouder of our EAPP students.
What is the EAPP?
The Elite Athlete and Performer Program (EAPP) is designed to give students who are top sporting or artistic performers the tools they need to achieve balance across their active and academic lives.
The program comes with a range of benefits, including:
adjustment factors to your entry score
priority class allocation
academic support and flexibility (deferred exams, extensions, special considerations)
access to financial scholarships and competition/travel grants
networking and career development opportunities
The program is administered annually, so all EAPP students need to reapply each year to maintain access throughout their study.
You can learn more by visiting elite athlete and performer support.
If you compete at a state, national or international level you might be eligible to join. We encourage individuals active in a wide range of elite sporting and artistic disciplines to apply. You must have filled out a relevant TAC (UAC, VTAC, QTAC) application in order to apply.
The EAPP understands that your sport and performing commitments may have been impacted this year. We are committed to supporting you through your return to training and events now and into future. If your 2020 events have been impacted don’t let this stop you applying to the EAPP. Simply tell us about the commitments you were selected to participate in during 2020 as your achievements in 2019.
Elite athlete definition
You’re considered an elite athlete if you’ve been identified as such by one of the following organisations:
the Australian Institute of Sport
a state institute or academy of sport
a relevant national or state sporting association, of which you are a member e.g. Cricket Australia, Diving Queensland, Victorian Football League (VFL).
Elite performer definition
You’re considered an elite performer if you are a member of, and have had significant success in, a major artistic performing arts or production company at a state, national or international level.
More specifically the criteria can include:
Actors Equity Australia
Australia dance council
Australian dance theatre
Australian chamber orchestra
The symphony Australia company
Opera Australia/ state opera
Musica viva
What we expect from you
Being an elite athlete or performer is a great honour. However, there are also some extra responsibilities such as special orientations, performance goals and being an ACU ambassador from time to time.
Before you apply to join the EAPP, make sure you read our terms and conditions.
Firstly, you must apply for your ACU course via your local tertiary admissions centre (TAC). Following this, you will need to supporting documentation and submit an EAPP application form direct to ACU.
To get started, read our step-by-step application guide.
Before applying for the EAPP, please ensure you have gathered the necessary supporting documentation:
a sporting/performing resume summarising your achievements and experiences over the 12-18 months.
a supporting reference letter from your relevant sporting or performing institution or association that verifies your level of elite involvement over the past 12 months and your ongoing commitments
current training and expected competition schedule for the upcoming year (if possible)
relevant high resolution competition or performance photo (action shot preferred).
Please note: Your supporting letter of recommendation must be on an official organisational letterhead, have the appropriate contact details (email and mobile) of your referee and explain your current involvement in your sport/performance. If your letter does not have these, your application will not be considered.
FUTURE students(that is; students who have applied to their Tertiary Admissions Centre, but HAVE NOT YET received an offer from ACU. Please include your UAC/VTAC/QTAC application number on your application form to allow adjustment factors to be applied, if eligible.
If you have RECEIVED an offer from ACU and have a student number, or you are a CURRENT STUDENT, please include your student number on the application form.
2021 applications are currently open for current students. Future students applying for entry from semester 2, 2021 should apply by 1 June to ensure EAPP adjustment factors.
Current student applications remain open all year round.
As a current student, you can apply or re-apply for the EAPP at time of the year. This includes both undergraduate and postgraduate students. 2021 EAPP members will be required to reapply to the program for 2022 EAPP status in September to ensure they receive timetabling benefits.
Applications will remain open, however we cannot guarantee timetable preferences.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the EAPP or the application process, or would like to register your interest, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our EAPP coordinator.
You can access contact details or submit an enquiry form by visiting contact us.
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