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).

Register for the Veteran Entry Program

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. 

Leadership experience counts

Becoming an officer or senior non-commissioned officer (SNCO) 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 SNCO, you are eligible for direct entry into the Graduate Certificate in Business Administration or Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety and Environmental Management.

Applications to study in Semester 2 2023 will close on 16 July 2023.

See full course details

Are you a partner, spouse, or child of a Veteran? You may be eligible

Finding meaningful employment is important to all Australians. Often for the family members of ADF personnel there can be significant barriers when pursuing educational/employment goals due to service commitments such as posting cycles, deployments and/or locality. This pathway aims to provide recognition of these challenges and sacrifices by giving the opportunity to access a range of study options, increasing employability and opening the door to meaningful employment.

This entry pathway is available to any partner, spouse, or child over the age of 18 of current/previous serving ADF personnel. Applications are handled on a case-by-case basis though as a rule of thumb 2-years of service is required. If you are unsure of your eligibility, we encourage you to contact one of our Student Veteran Services team to discuss further.

Applications can be made directly to ACU through the Veterans Entry Program web form. Applicants will be required to submit a copy of their partner, spouses or parents ADF Service Record. Following application, you will be contacted to schedule an interview date and requested for supporting documentation including a written ‘motivation to study’ form.

Apply for 2023 intake

Use this link to register your interest for a course at ACU, starting in 2023.

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. We will then contact you to provide personalised assistance with applying to study at ACU. Applications through the Veterans Entry Program will be automatically registered to the Student Veterans Support Program.

Applications to study with ACU Online's Term 3 (commencing 17 July 2023) close 3 July  and Term 4 (commencing 9 October 2023) close 25 Sept 2023.  Applications for Semester 2 2023 (commencing 31 July)  close 16 July.

Register for the Veteran’s Entry Program


Rank equivalencies

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

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
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

Recognition of Prior Learning

As a member of the ADF you undergo rigorous training and gain valuable work experience. ACU recognises this and provides the opportunity to receive credit for your service. 

Credit where credits due

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) recognises the challenges involved in transitioning from the ADF into tertiary education.

To help you with this transition we are the first Australian university to formally recognise the courses you have completed during your ADF service. 

You no longer need to pay a third-party training organisation to provide you with ‘on-paper’ diplomas.

Learn more

What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning is a formal process of reviewing previously undertaken study or work experience. If this study or work experience is similar to ACU units then you may be eligible for credit towards your course.

RPL can reduce the amount of time it takes to finish your degree, and also make your degree more cost effective.

The courses you undertook whilst you were serving in the ADF are considered formal learning by ACU.

How much RPL can I receive?

ACU has a tailored approach towards RPL for Student Veterans. We conducted an assessment the Initial Employment Training (IET) courses and promotion courses delivered by the ADF.

The amount of credit available is dependent on the duration of your IET and the rank you achieved during your service. We understand that there can be individual variations in a Student Veteran’s service record, so we assess each one individually.

Your Course Rules will also influence how much RPL you are eligible for.

As a Student Veteran you can always apply for RPL, your Course Coordinator will assess your application for specified or unspecified credit. 

RPL for Other Ranks

There are 4 packages based upon:

  • Rank and IET course
  • ACU’s Course Rules.

Anyone who is Private Proficient, or the equivalents in the RAN & RAAF, can access package 1. 

RPL for Other Ranks


RPL for Officers

Officers will be eligible for 40 points of credit towards the ACU MBA if you have completed:

  • Stream 1 and your rank is Lieutenant or above
  • Stream 2 and your rank is Captain or above

Apply for 2023 intake

Use this link to register your interest for a course at ACU, starting in 2023.

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.

Register for the Veteran’s Entry Program

Contact us

You can reach out to us at Student Veteran Services if you have any questions about recognition of prior learning or applying for credit.

Email Student Veteran Services
Call us on (07) 3623 7422

 

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