1.1 In any case where a student has exhausted all internal avenues of appeal/complaint and there is no external body with jurisdiction in relation to the matter, the student may lodge a request for review by the Visitor in relation to a matter which has not been resolved to the student’s satisfaction.
1.2 Any such request for review must be lodged in writing, addressed to:
The Visitor
Australian Catholic University
PO Box 968
North Sydney NSW 2059
1.3 The request for review must:
1.4 No new evidence, or new grounds for appeal/complaint based on such evidence, may be submitted for review by the Visitor.
2.1 Upon receipt of any request for review, the Visitor will determine whether the student has exhausted all internal avenues available to them under the relevant University policies.
2.2 If this initial assessment indicates that the student has exhausted all internal avenues available to them, the Visitor will undertake a further assessment to determine:
The Visitor may seek independent advice when making such assessment. Where practicable1, such further assessment will be undertaken within 10 working days of receipt of the appeal/complaint.
2.3 If, following such further assessment, the Visitor considers that the request for review does not satisfy the criteria in Section 2.2, the Visitor will notify the student that the Visitor is unable to review the matter and may direct the student to a relevant external body.
2.4 If the Visitor considers that the appeal/complaint does satisfy the criteria in Section 2.2, the Visitor will review the appeal/complaint documentation lodged with them and will undertake such investigation as the Visitor deems appropriate, having regard to the principles of natural justice, to ensure that the decision-making process is fair and equitable.
2.5 Such investigation may, at the discretion of the Visitor, include a request for written submissions and/or interviews with relevant persons.
2.6 The Visitor will normally advise the Vice-Chancellor of receipt of a request for review of a decision and provide the Vice-Chancellor with a copy of relevant documentation and the opportunity to respond to the appeal/complaint.
2.7 If any other party is named in the appeal/complaint, the Visitor will provide that person with relevant details and the opportunity to respond.
2.8 If, at any time during the Visitor's review of the appeal/complaint, the student who lodged the appeal/complaint becomes aware of an external avenue for its resolution, and that external process is initiated by the student, the Visitor's review of the appeal/complaint may be terminated by the Visitor.
3.1 The Visitor will determine the matter within 30 working days of receipt of the appeal/complaint, or such further time as may be determined.
3.2 The student will be advised in writing of:
3.3 The Visitor will provide the Vice-Chancellor with a report and/or recommendations regarding the specific appeal/complaint and/or relevant University practices or procedures.
3.4 A copy of the notification to the student and the report to the Vice-Chancellor will be held on a confidential file. The Vice-Chancellor may provide a copy of the advice, or excerpt therefrom, to the relevant University officer required to take action as a result of the decision.
3.5 Any action required of the University as a result of an outcome of an upheld appeal or complaint must be initiated within 10 working days of the notification.
Page last updated: 2017-10-24
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/968540
Page last updated: 2017-10-24
Short url: https://handbook.acu.edu.au/968540