I have completed military service

You stood for your country, now we stand for you.

We’re here to help support your studies. If you are a current or former member of the Australian Defence Force, you might be eligible for ACU’s Veterans’ Entry Program (VEP) and Student Veterans Support Program (SVSP).

Empowering veteran success

Transitioning out of the military can be difficult for many veterans, with high rates of unemployment and mental health issues. Higher education is an internationally established pathway to assist veterans in successfully transitioning from the military to civilian life, broadening personal networks, and creating a pathway to gainful employment. We assess applicants on a case by case basis, and once you’re an ACU student, the Student Veteran Support Program will help smooth the transition to student life.

Am I eligible for the VEP?

We encourage individuals from all branches of military service to apply for the Veterans’ Entry Program. If you’re unsure about whether you will qualify, we still encourage you to apply.

If you want to study at ACU, and you have served in one of the Australian Defence Force, you can apply via the link below. We’ll assess your service in the military and convert this to an entry rank, similar to an ATAR. We then match that rank to the requirements of the undergraduate or postgraduate course you wish to study and make you an offer based on the outcome.

As a guide, completion of general training in the Australian Defence Force with two years’ experience (regardless of military rank held) will result in a rank of 82, which would gain entry into most ACU Bachelor degrees. We will provide individualised assessment of experience and qualifications to determine the highest entry rank available to you.

If you’re applying to ACU via the relevant TAC (UAC, VTAC or QTAC), you are also eligible to receive a rank based on your service in the ADF, and this will be done automatically.

Gain credit for one unit

In recognition of your service to country and community, ACU will grant you credit for the Core Curriculum unit, Justice and Change in a Global World. This credit is available for most undergraduate degrees.

An officer and a leader

Becoming an officer in the ADF shows leadership and management capability. We recognise the life and work skills required to achieve this rank, so we’re offering unconditional entry to two of our postgraduate courses. If you have attained the equivalent rank of O-1 or above as an officer or chaplain, or E06 and above as a non-commissioned officer, you are eligible for direct entry into the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration or Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management.

Rank equivalencies

If you are considering studying one of our postgraduate business courses, use the table below to find your equivalent rank.

Rank equivalents in Australian Defence Force

Item	Navy	Army	Air Forc	Rank equivalency
	Commissioned	Officer ranks
1.	Admiral of the Fleet	Field Marshal	Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force	–
2.	Admiral	General	Air Chief Marshal	O-10
3.	Vice Admiral	Lieutenant General	Air Marshal	O-9
4.	Rear Admiral	Major General	Air Vice-Marshal	O-8
5.	Commodore	Brigadier	Air Commodore	O-7
6.	Captain	Colonel	Group Captain	O-6
7.	Commander	Lieutenant Colonel	Wing Commander	O-5
8.	Lieutenant Commander	Major	Squadron Leader	O-4
9.	Lieutenant	Captain	Flight Lieutenant	O-3
10.	Sub-Lieutenant	Lieutenant	Flying Officer	O-2
11.	Acting Sub-Lieutenant	Second Lieutenant	Pilot Officer	O-1
12.	Midshipman	Officer Cadet	Officer Cadet
Non-	Commissioned	Officer ranks
13.	Warrant Officer of the Navy	Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army	Warrant Officer of the Air Force	E10
14.	Warrant Officer	Warrant Officer Class 1	Warrant Officer	E09
15.	Chief Petty Officer	Warrant Officer Class 2	Flight Sergeant	E08
16.	–	Staff Sergeant	–	E07
17.	Petty Officer	Sergeant	Sergeant	E06

Chaplain ranks

Item	If a Chaplain's classification is...	...their rank is	Rank equivalency
1.	Division 1	Captain	O-3
2.	Division 2	Major	O-4
3.	Division 3	Lieutenant Colonel	O-5
4.	Division 4	Colonel	O-6
5.	Division 5	Brigadier	O-7

Apply for 2021 intake

Use this link to register your interest for a course at ACU, starting in 2021.

You’ll need to share your name and contact details, as well as your ADF service statement and educational history. Don’t forget to tell us which course/s you are interested in.

A community on campus

Student Veteran Support Program (SVSP)

We know that the transition from military to civilian life brings unique challenges. The Student Veteran Support Program (SVSP) is designed to give current or post service students the tools and support they need to achieve success throughout their studies and into employment. The SVSP is open to individuals who have completed or are completing a specific term of military service in either the army, air force, or navy, as well as those in the reserves. Family members, and students with international military service are also encouraged to apply.

If you have a disability or long-term condition that impacts upon your studies, we offer support, special consideration, and flexible options such as exams deferral and online or part-time study.

Learn more about the SVSP

Veterans Transition Program (VTP)

We support commencing student veterans as they transition from the military service to ACU through a free two-week preparatory program. Through tailor-made orientation activities, workshops, lectures, tutorials, and different types of assessments, the Veterans Transition Program (VTP) equips students with the abilities and key skills to succeed in higher education, develop self-efficacy, a sense of belonging and expanded peer networks.

Learn more about the Veteran's Transition Program

Support and initiatives

As part of ACU’s commitment to supporting current and ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), we are constantly trying to further expand our services. Together with the Australian Student Veteran Association (ASVA) we are developing a tertiary credit mapping framework to enable ADF veterans to have their service record assessed for Credit for Prior Learning when entering and undertaking university-level studies, this was made possible through the Supporting Younger Veterans (SYV) grant awarded to ACU and ASVA.

Learn more about the collaboration and grant

Awards, scholarships and grants

In order to further support the success and acknowledge the scarifies made of student veterans’, ACU has developed awards for successful graduating and continuing students and grants for successful commencing students. The Student Veteran’ Impact Award has been developed to reward student veterans’ on their commitment to study and to the ACU and wider community. The Student Veteran’ Technology Grant has been developed for commencing ACU student veterans’. The successful applicant will receive funds to purchase university requirements such as a laptop, textbooks and uniforms. The American Australian Association have developed scholarships to provide much needed financial support and assistance to veterans’, who have been honourably discharged post 9/11. These scholarships can be made for undergraduate, graduate and for indigenous students to help fund their academics.

Need help? Contact us

If you need any support or have any questions regarding the veteran services offered at ACU you can get in touch with our team at studentveteranservices@acu.edu.au or call (07) 3623 7889.

Alternatively, you can reach AskACU on 1300 275 228.

Search our FAQ knowledge database

Back to previous page

Have a question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

If you’ve got a question, our AskACU team has you covered. You can search FAQs, text us, email, live chat, call – whatever works for you.

Live chat with us now

Chat to our team for real-time
answers to your questions.

Launch live chat

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some commonly
asked questions.

See our FAQs

Ask a question

SMS 0427 522 268

Call 1300 275 228