HSC adjustment factors, EAS and early offers (SRS) for 2026-27
Universities select on your selection rank: your ATAR plus any adjustment factors a particular institution gives you for a particular course. Your ATAR never changes. The Educational Access Scheme (EAS) is UAC's equity scheme, covering eight categories of disadvantage. The Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) gives early offers using Year 11 results and school ratings: 2026 applications closed on 11 September, preferences lock at 11.59 pm on 5 November and offers come out on 12 November. The main December round offers are released on 23 December 2026.
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ATAR vs selection rank
Your ATAR is a rank of your academic achievement relative to your age group. A selection rank is what an institution actually compares for a course: your ATAR plus any adjustment factors (the current name for "bonus points") that institution applies to that course.
- Adjustment factors change your selection rank, not your ATAR.
- The same student can have different selection ranks for different courses and different universities.
- Each institution decides which schemes it runs, who qualifies and the maximum adjustment. Always read the "adjustment factors" section of each course and university page.
Common kinds of adjustment factor
- Subject or performance adjustments. Some institutions reward particular HSC results (for example in mathematics, sciences or languages) for particular courses.
- Location adjustments. Some institutions adjust for applicants who live in, or attend school in, particular regional areas.
- Equity adjustments through EAS. See below.
- Elite athletes and performers. UAC runs the Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme (EAPS) for participating institutions.
The specific points, eligible subjects, eligible areas and caps vary by institution, so no general figure is reliable.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
EAS lets institutions take into account circumstances beyond your control that seriously affected your Year 11 and/or 12 studies. If you are eligible and your ATAR is below a course's selection rank, an institution can increase your selection rank for that course. It doesn't guarantee an offer.
UAC groups EAS circumstances into eight categories:
- financial support
- health and disability
- difficult circumstances at home
- caring for yourself or others
- refugee and humanitarian background
- English language
- distance education or regional school
- a residential address in the lowest 25% of ABS socio-economic indexes (assessed automatically when you apply through UAC)
You must first lodge a UAC undergraduate application. Most categories need supporting documents; UAC's EAS application guide lists them.
EAS dates for 2027 entry
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Thu 19 Nov 2026, 11.59 pm | EAS applications and documents due to be considered for December Round 2 (the main Year 12 round) |
| Thu 17 Dec 2026 | EAS eligibility letters start to be released for December Round 2 |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026, 11.59 pm | EAS closing date for January Round 1 |
| Fri 5 Feb 2027, 11.59 pm | EAS applications close for semester 1 |
Some SRS institutions also use EAS and may set earlier EAS dates for SRS consideration. Check the institution-specific SRS criteria.
The Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS)
SRS is UAC's early offer scheme for Year 12 students. Participating institutions assess you on one or more of: your Year 11 studies, your school's rating of your aptitudes, your EAS application, and in some cases your ATAR or other requirements. One application through UAC covers every participating institution.
For 2026, the institutions making SRS offers are the Academy of Music and Performing Arts, AIE Institute, Australian College of Physical Education, Charles Sturt University, International College of Management Sydney, Macquarie University, National Art School, SAE University College, Torrens University Australia, University of Canberra, University of New England, University of Newcastle, University of Notre Dame Australia, University of Technology Sydney and Western Sydney University.
| Date (2026) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Fri 11 Sep | SRS applications closed |
| Thu 5 Nov, 11.59 pm | Last day to finalise your SRS course preferences (some institutions set earlier dates) |
| Thu 12 Nov | SRS offers released, conditional and unconditional |
| Wed 23 Dec | Conditional SRS offers converted to unconditional for domestic applicants who meet the institution's criteria (also on 8 Jan 2027) |
A conditional offer usually depends on your final results, such as a minimum ATAR. Read the conditions in your offer.
A conditional SRS offer only becomes unconditional if you meet its conditions and the course is in your preferences by the December Round 2 change-of-preference deadline (18 December 2026). You can hold more than one conditional offer, but only one can convert in December Round 2, so put the one you want most at the top of your list. Once you have an unconditional offer you are automatically considered for higher preferences in the next round; to be considered for courses you listed below it, UAC says to accept the offer first, then move it to the bottom of your list or remove it.
Other early offer schemes
Several universities run their own early entry schemes outside SRS, with their own applications and dates. UAC's early offer page lists them. Examples for 2026 included:
- UNSW Gateway Admission Pathway: applications closed 23 July 2026, offers released 3 September 2026.
- University of Wollongong Early Admission: applications closed 7 August 2026, offers released 1 September 2026.
- Macquarie Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme: round 1 applications closed 24 July 2026, offers released 1 September 2026.
- ACU Guarantee: applications opened 20 July and closed 14 September 2026, with offer rounds on 3 and 24 September.
- University of Sydney Gadigal Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants: conditional offers released in September 2026.
From results to offers: 2026 to 2027
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Thu 26 Nov 2026, 11.59 pm | Year 12 application deadline for December Round 2 offers |
| Wed 16 Dec 2026, 9 am | NSW and ACT ATARs released by UAC (NESA releases HSC results the same day) |
| Fri 18 Dec 2026, 11.59 pm | Last day to change preferences for December Round 2 |
| Wed 23 Dec 2026, 7.30 am | December Round 2 offers: UAC's main offer round for semester 1 |
| Tue 29 Dec 2026, 11.59 pm | Change preferences for January Round 1 |
| Fri 8 Jan 2027, 7.30 am | January Round 1 offers |
| Thu 14 Jan 2027, 11.59 pm | Change preferences for January Round 2 |
Assuming adjustments show up in your ATAR, or that every university gives the same adjustments. Your ATAR advice notice shows only the ATAR. Selection ranks are calculated per course, per institution.
What to do
- Put EAS on your calendar now. For the December round, the deadline is 19 November 2026, weeks before results.
- Keep your address and school details correct in your UAC application, because some location adjustments and the socio-economic category are based on them.
- List courses in genuine order of preference, most wanted first.
- Use the change-of-preference window after 16 December to adjust your list, knowing your ATAR.
For how the ATAR itself is calculated, see how the HSC ATAR is calculated.
Sources & how we know this
- Educational Access Schemes — Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (2026)
- Schools Recommendation Scheme — Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (2026)
- Early offer schemes for Year 12 students — Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (2026)
- Key dates — Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) (2026)
Last updated: 2026-09-23. Rules change. For the official source see NESA.