Widening Participation Target
UNSW is committed to building a student community that reflects the broader Australian population. As part of this commitment, we aim to improve access, participation and success for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Our Widening Participation Target aims for 25% of commencing domestic undergraduate students to come from one of three priority groups by 2026: students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, Gateway partner schools (schools identified as socio-educationally disadvantaged), or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students.
The Widening Participation Strategy sets out how UNSW will meet and sustain that commitment beyond 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
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UNSW created the Widening Participation Target to tackle longstanding barriers to higher education access.
Socio-economic inequality continues to unfairly limit university and career opportunities for many young people – particularly those from low-income households, schools with fewer educational resources and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
UNSW’s 2025 Strategy initially set a goal for 15% of domestic undergraduate students to be from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Rapid progress towards this target by 2022 demonstrated that greater equity is possible, leading to a more ambitious commitment.
The Widening Participation Target builds on this momentum. It reflects a deeper understanding that educational opportunity is shaped by both socio-economic background and school-based advantage, which are often interconnected. By addressing both factors, the target aims to create a fairer pathway to university for students who have been underrepresented at UNSW.
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The Widening Participation Target specifically measures students enrolling at UNSW who are:
- From a low-socioeconomic background (SEIFA criteria, IEO index)
- From a Gateway partner school, identified by national data
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
By including Gateway partner schools, the target also indirectly supports other equity groups who attend these schools at higher rates, including:
- Students from regional and remote areas
- Students from culturally and linguistically diverse migrant and refugee (CALDMR) communities
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UNSW is dedicated to embedding inclusive teaching and learning practices across the institution. While these approaches are particularly beneficial for students from equity cohorts, they enhance the learning experience for all students. Evidence also suggests that academic performance levels out across equity cohorts once students are at university.
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To achieve the Gateway Equity Target, we’re implementing a phased plan that supports students across every stage of the student lifecycle – from outreach and admission through to transition, retention and graduate outcomes.
This work also involves supporting academic and professional staff with the tools, training and resources they need to deliver on key areas that will help us reach our goal.