Australian College of Physical Education
Admission criteria and entry schemes
If you are looking to turn your passion for sport, health, education, football or dance into a career, an industry-recognised qualification from ACPE will give you the foundation you need.
With us, your study and career aspirations are not limited by ATAR; there are many paths you can take to higher education study, including Year 12 studies, studies with TAFE and other VET providers, accredited studies offered in some workplaces, studies at higher education provider that are complete or incomplete, foundation courses, the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) and work experience. You will be considered for entry to ACPE courses on the outcomes you have achieved in any of the qualifications you hold.
To be eligible for entry to ACPE’s undergraduate courses you must meet the general admission requirements listed in one or more of the following categories and:
- satisfy English language proficiency requirements for the course you are applying to
- be selected in competition with other eligible applicants
- meet inherent course requirements.
Also, refer to UAC’s general information about university admission criteria.
Information for applicants unable to meet admission criteria
Information on the alternative entry pathways offered by ACPE.
Undergraduate applicants
Australian Year 12 students
You will be considered for entry based on your performance in relevant HSC or interstate Year 12 subjects. If you have also completed additional qualifications such as Tertiary Preparation Certificate or VET study while at school or post school, these qualifications will also be considered.
ACPE participates in several early entry programs.
ACPE Early Entry Program
This is an early entry program for current Australian year 12 students. Your eligibility will be determined on your Australian year 11 results and predictive scores.
Early Entry does not remove the requirement for the completion of the HSC or interstate Year 12 studies. It provides you with an indication of your eligibility while pending your final Year 12 examination results.
Application close: end of November 2025
Priority Entry Program
This is a non-ATAR-based entry program for current Australian Year 12 students. Acceptance is based on your performance in HSC subjects that are relevant to the course(s) of your choice. Select ACPE course(s) as your UAC preference and be automatically considered for priority entry. You may apply direct to ACPE or apply via UAC .
Applications close: 13 February 2026
Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS)
ACPE takes part in the Schools Recommendation Scheme, managed via UAC. You can be considered for an early offer using your Year 11 studies and school rating. This early entry scheme is available for all ACPE bachelor degrees. Unconditional offers will be made to successful applicants from November Round 1 prior to the completion of the HSC or interstate Year 12 studies.
Equity adjustments
ACPE has an Educational Access Scheme (EAS) to assist applicants whose education has been disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control for a substantial period of time. ACPE EAS applications are processed centrally through UAC.
To apply for EAS you must be able to demonstrate that your Year 11 and/or Year 12 studies have been negatively affected for a period of at least six months, as a result of circumstances beyond your control or choosing. You must also be:
- a UAC applicant for undergraduate admission
- an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident of Australia.
Special entry requirements
Education and Dance Education
To enter directly into the Bachelor of Education (Physical & Health Education) or Bachelor of Dance Education, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- achieve at least three (3) NSW HSC Band 5 results, including one in English
- pass bridging units benchmarked to a NSW HSC Band 5 result
- enrol in an accredited degree and pass a full year of academic studies in the subjects you will teach
- complete a NESA-approved alternative entry pathway as advised by your prospective university.
NOTE: Applicants who have completed 4 HSC units one being Standard English or a Higher English with a Band 3 or above for all 4 units are also considered for direct entry. You will be able to progress to the second year if you pass all 8 first year discipline units and completed the LANTITE test during that first year.
If you did not meet the direct entry requirements to the education degrees, you may consider the pathway to education courses. More information on the ACPE pathway courses.
Literacy and numeracy skills
Applicants must sign a form acknowledging that they understand the AITSL and NESA regulations requiring them to demonstrate literacy and numeracy capacities commensurate with the top 30% of the population through the Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education students (LANTITE). The LANTITE test is administered by ACER (at applicant's cost) and must be passed prior to commencing their final professional experience.
Limited ATAR
ACPE accepts the Limited ATAR.
Applicants with any previous completed or incomplete higher education study will be considered for admission based on those studies.
If the higher education study was completed in a country other than Australia, the qualification must have been assessed as equivalent to an Australian higher education qualification. If you wish to apply for credit for previous study, you must submit an Application for Recognition of Prior Learning form along with all the relevant qualification and verification documents to support your claim.
Please send your completed RPL form and the accompanying documents to the enrolment advisor. Check further information about Recognition of Prior Learning here.
Please note that admission will not be made to applicants who are currently suspended or excluded from any higher education course until the term of your suspension or exclusion has elapsed. If you have served the period of exclusion, your application will be considered.
Applicants who have completed an AQF qualification of Certificate IV or above or a Tertiary Preparation Certificate may be considered eligible for entry. Applicants with incomplete VET study may also be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
If the VET study was completed in a country other than Australia, the qualification must have been assessed as equivalent to an Australian qualification.
If you wish to apply for credit for previous study, you must submit an Application for Recognition of Prior Learning form along with all the relevant qualification and verification documents to support your claim.
Please send your completed RPL form and the accompanying documents to the enrolment advisor. Check further information about Recognition of Prior Learning here.
Mature-aged or post-school applicants may be admitted based on employment experience and/or an interview process.
Applicants must demonstrate to the Dean’s satisfaction good selection prospects as a student (eg relevant work experience and motivation to study) and ineligibility to compete for admission based on the academic achievement criteria.
Alternatively, applicants may consider non-award entry or enable access as a pathway to degree study at ACPE.
Contact ACPE to find out how you can enrol at ACPE.
Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
Mature-aged or post-school applicants may be admitted on the basis of the STAT Multiple Choice test.
There are commonly accepted overseas secondary qualifications that ACPE may take into consideration. Check your qualification.
English language proficiency
If you hold overseas secondary or tertiary qualifications from countries where English is not the standard language of instruction, you must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
General information for Australian College of Physical Education
Courses available
UndergraduateLocation
Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE)
10 Parkview Drive
Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127