Elite Sport Program

Support for learning

We know elite level sport takes a lot of time and commitment. As a gold member of the Australian Institute of Sport's Elite Sport Education Network (ESEN), we can help you get a world-class education while you compete through flexible study, assessment and exam options, including:

• priority changes to classes and tutorials
• alternative assessment deadlines and extensions
• alternative exam schedules
• extended leaves of absence
• cross-institutional study.

What you get

In addition to support for your study, you may receive:

• access to professional development opportunities and a range of workshops to help you with your academic and sporting aspirations
• complimentary or discounted access to allied health services such as sports psychologists, dietitians, podiatry, optometry, and annual membership to our fitness and aquatics centres
• an adjustment to your selection rank (or OP equivalent) for future students applying for the first time and current students changing courses with the elite sport entry scheme
• access to the bursary program, providing student-athletes the opportunity to claim expenses related to sport travel, accommodation, competitions (state, national and international), and sport-specific education and development costs
• membership into the College of Excellence, which provides personal and professional development opportunities
• opportunities to represent QUT at intervarsity sporting events, like UniSport Nationals Championships and FISU World University Championship events
• a QUT Sport Scholarship ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 (QUT Rising Sport Scholarship - QUT Elite Sport Scholarship and QUT Elite Sport Scholarships in partnership with the QAS, AIS and AusCycling).

Eligibility

QUT Sport will assess Elite Sport Program applications in accordance with their level of development and performance within their respective sports. QUT prioritises sports that are recognised by the Australian Sports Commission as National Sporting Organisations. Athletes, coaches and officials from those sports will be prioritised in the selection process for the QUT Elite Sport Program.

To be eligible to apply, you must be an athlete, coach or official who's currently progressing through a defined pathway within a sport that's recognised by the Australian Sports Commission or is a major professional and participation sport.

You must be able to verify your performance status in your application including written evidence from your state or national sporting organisation, or professional player club/league. It must demonstrate:

• a minimum of Talent 1 (T1) level categorisation within the Australian Institute of Sport's FTEM development framework (you can find more information on FTEM categorisation on the Australian Institute of Sport website)
• evidence of your most recent competition results or performances, from within the last 12 months.

Applications will be assessed on individual merit and the quality of the supporting documentation provided. All applications are subject to a competitive selection process. Outcomes will depend on the quality of applications received and available capacity each year. Generally, the committee will consider the athlete’s performance record, whether the sport is recognised by the Australian Sports Commission and whether the sport has 'funded' or 'non-funded' status with the Australian Sports Commission. Athletes, coaches or officials in sports that sit outside Australian Sports Commission recognised sports can still apply and be considered. These applicants will need an outstanding performance record in the last 12 months to be competitive with athletes from ASC recognised sports.

Once accepted, your Elite Sport Program membership remains valid through to week 1 of Semester 1 in the following calendar year. As athlete categorisations can change from year-to-year, an annual Elite Sport Program membership ensures we are providing the most appropriate level of support based on each athlete’s current status.