Supporting documentation

Family/personal grounds

If requesting special circumstances due to family or personal reasons you are required to submit documentation from, for example, a family doctor or counsellor to substantiate your claim.

Example 1: A member of your family suffers from a severe medical condition and, after the census date, you are required to provide full-time care. As a result, you are unable to continue your studies.

Example 2: A member of your family or a close friend dies, and you are affected to the extent that, after the census date, you realise that you are unable to continue with your studies.

Health reasons (physical or mental)

If requesting special circumstances based on a health condition (physical or mental), you must submit a medical certificate or letter from a registered health practitioner. The medical certificate or letter must state the following:

• the date on which the examination by the health practitioner took place
• the date(s) on which the patient is or was unfit for attendance
• a statement that in the health practitioner’s opinion the patient was ‘not fit for duty’ or ‘suffering from a medical condition’
• the patient’s name
• the health practitioner’s contact details, including their provider number
• the health practitioner’s signature.

Letters may be issued from Counselling and Wellbeing or Student Safety and Wellbeing depending on the nature of the medical issue. International medical certificates are not accepted for students residing in Australia unless they fall sick while overseas. In general, the University reserves the right to reject any medical documentation that cannot convince a reasonable person that the student is genuinely sick.

Example 1: You had a medical condition that existed prior to the census date, continued past that date and deteriorated to the extent you were unable to complete your studies.

Example 2: Your medical condition only became known after the census date and it was such that you were unable to complete your studies.

Employment related reasons

If requesting special circumstances based on your employment, you are required to supply a letter from your employer on company letterhead to substantiate your claim.

Example 1: You are employed out of necessity and studying. After the census date your employer unexpectedly increased your hours of employment in circumstances you were unable to object.

Example 2: You are employed out of necessity and studying. After the census date your employer directs that you be transferred to a different state. The University does not offer the course by distance education and, as a result, you are unable to complete your course requirements.

Note: Choosing to increase your hours of work or undertake additional employment is not regarded as circumstances beyond your control.