Entry options Adjustment factors Regional Preference Scheme

Regional Preference Scheme

This scheme assists residents of regional and remote areas of Queensland to gain entry into JCU through an automatic adjustment of an applicant’s ATAR by two ranks.

The Regional Preference Scheme is open to domestic applicants who reside in regional and remote Queensland (postcodes 4306 through to 4895). The scheme can’t be used for entry to postgraduate degrees, graduate entry programs and courses with special application requirements.

Adjustments are cumulative up to a maximum of ten (10) ranks and some exceptions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

The adjustments are automatically applied by QTAC at the time you are assessed. This means you don’t need to apply for this scheme, we do it for you.

Applications to study at JCU in 2026 will open through QTAC early August. To apply you will first need to create  your Application Services Account.

Checkout this helpful video on how to apply with QTAC.

The Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) operates a centralised tertiary application service. QTAC assess applications using entry requirements that are provided by JCU and then make offers to successful applicants during offer rounds.

No, as long as JCU is listed as one of your six preferences you will automatically have the regional preference scheme applied to your application.

There are some course exclusions from the Regional Preference Scheme, these include:

If you are applying for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science and live or have previously lived in a rural or remote area of Australia, you may be eligible for a rural place at JCU through the Rural Access Scheme.