Application may be made to more than one university. The closing date for receipt of applications is 31 October. Application Forms and summary guidelines are available from mid-August. Eligibility criteria are included in the Guidelines. The Rank Order list is compiled by the Higher Degree Review and Admissions Sub-committee of the Research and Higher Degrees Committee .
Due regard is given to each candidate's detailed academic record and two academic referee reports.
Awards are made strictly on the final Order of Merit. Factors such as preference for institutions, proposed field of study, type of program, and age or gender of the applicant do not affect the ranking. Given the highly competitive nature of these Awards it is extremely unlikely that other than exceptionally well qualified applicants will be successful. The final list of Recommendations is provided to the Academic Board for noting. Five commencing APAs were awarded by USQ for tenure commencing in 1998.