The Refugee Early Entry Scheme considers a student's whole experience, including a range of measures beyond results at school or tertiary admission rank, with successful applicants accepted into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Combined degree program before sitting their final HSC exams, reducing the pressures associated with the transition to higher education. Newcastle Law School Associate Professor Dr Amy Maguire said people from refugee backgrounds had a range of diverse experiences to bring to legal study and practice.

"There are many people in our communities from refugee and migrant backgrounds who will benefit from legal representation by people who share lived experiences and cultural knowledge," Associate Professor Maguire said. "Widening participation is a core value at the University of Newcastle and we want to support motivated and talented students, regardless of their background or circumstances, who might not otherwise have gained access to our programs. Our whole law school is enriched by the increasing diversity of our student body, so our early entry schemes really increase success for all."

The scheme is the law school's second such offering and follows the Indigenous Early Entry Scheme, which has admitted 20 Indigenous students into law since 2017.

Gabby Hinchey, a proud Gamilaraay woman from Tamworth, gained entry to study law through the Indigenous Early Entry Scheme and said it had been life changing.

"I've always had my sights set on studying at the University of Newcastle so it was such a weight off my shoulders and a transformational moment to be accepted through the Early Entry Scheme," Miss Hinchey said. "To people considering applying for the scheme, my advice is to go for it."