Process of Appeals and Reviews

3. Application

All administrative functions will be subject to the same appeal and review procedures. The process applies equally to all students, regardless of course, location or mode of study. A person who has ceased to be a student may make an appeal or request a review in relation to a matter arising while he or she was a student, subject to adherence to the timelines outlined below.

4. Appeal

4.1 A student may appeal any administrative decision within 20 working days of the notification of that decision. The appeal will be in writing (e-mail is acceptable) to the decision-maker (usually the Manager of the relevant section) and will state the grounds on which the appeal is being made.

The normal grounds of any appeal will be that either:

1. extenuating and unforeseen circumstances have prevented the student from taking action within the prescribed times or in the prescribed fashion. An appeal on these grounds will be supported by relevant documentary evidence; or
2. the basis for the decision had not been made clear to the student prior to the decision being made.

4.2 The outcome of any appeal will be determined within 20 working days of its receipt and the student will be informed in writing of the:

1. outcome of the appeal;
2. processes undertaken during the appeal;
3. reasons for the decision; and
4. any remaining avenues of review.

5. Review

5.1 Within 10 working days of the receipt of the outcome of an appeal a student may request, in writing, a review of the appeal decision. A student seeking a review must make a case that the published University regulations or procedures have not been observed. The senior officer to whom the Manager, whose decision is being appealed, reports will conduct the review.

5.2 The outcome of the review will be determined within 20 working days of its receipt and the student will be informed in writing of the:

1. outcome of the review;
2. processes undertaken during the review;
3. reasons for the decision; and
4. any remaining avenues of review.

6. Final Review

6.1 Within 20 working days of the receipt of the outcome of a review a student may request, in writing, a final review of the appeal and review process. A student seeking a final review must make a case that the published University regulations or procedures have not been observed. The Academic Registrar will conduct all final reviews.

6.2 The outcome of the review will be determined within 20 working days of its receipt and the student will be informed in writing of the:

1. outcome of the review;
2. processes undertaken during the review;
3. reasons for the decision.

6.3 If the student has not received written advice within 45 days of the Academic Registrar having received the application for review, the Academic Registrar is taken to have confirmed the original decision.

7. Record of Appeals, Requests for Review and Decisions

Any correspondence under this Policy will be retained on the student file and will be accessible to the student in accordance with the University Privacy Statement and the Student Administration Privacy Policy.

8. Further Review or Appeal²²

In the case of any matter dealt with under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, and any amendments or guidelines associated with that Act, a student may appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

In the case of internal University matters, no further avenue of appeal is available within the University. However, nothing in this policy removes the right of a student to access any other complaint or appeal mechanism available to them as legislated in the relevant State or Territory.

9. Malicious or Vexatious Complaints or Grievances

²²See Statement on External Avenues of Appeal or Complaint.