Reasons to request long extensions or deferred exams
We understand that there may be many circumstances that impact your ability to complete and submit an assessment item by the due date. We’ve created a list of the most common reasons and examples of the supporting documents used when applying for an assessment extension.
The documents you provide must be current, written in English and include details that clearly identify the service, business or organisation confirming your circumstances, such as official letter head, company logo or insignia. When you request an extension, you must provide information that’s true, accurate and complete, without intending to mislead or gain advantage.
The sections below include common circumstances and the types of supporting evidence that may be supplied, however this list is not exhaustive. If your reason is not listed below and you don’t see the information you’re looking for, or you have questions about supporting evidence and documentation, we can provide individualised advice based on your circumstances.
What is not considered a Special Circumstance?
The following reasons are not considered valid for a long extension request:
- Misreading an assessment due date or time, or failing to seek clarification of key dates or procedures
- Having other assessments due around the same time
- Time commitments related to residential schools, professional placements or work placements (unless other special circumstances apply)
- Regular or optional social, leisure or family activities, including discretionary travel.
Common reasons for extension requests
Each section below outlines a valid reason for requesting an extension, what your Statement of Circumstances should include, and examples of acceptable supporting documents.
If you are applying for an assessment extension based on medical reasons, your Statement of Circumstances must explain how your circumstances have affected your ability to meet the due date for the assessment item.
You must also obtain supporting documentation from a registered health practitioner, such as a GP or specialist, or health service such as a pharmacy, telehealth, Dial A Doctor or internet doctor on or before the assessment item's published due date.
Acceptable supporting document examples
- Medical certificate from a GP, specialist, or health service
- Report from a counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist
- Hospital-issued documentation
- Current UniSQ Learning Support Plan (LSP) with approved adjustments for assessment extensions, for those with a physical, sensory, psychiatric, learning or intellectual impairment, or long-term medical condition, or responsibilities as a primary carer that may impact the completion of assessment items.
Your documentation must be:
- current (within the timeframe of your assessment due date)
- be written on official letterhead, signed and dated by the health practitioner or service provider
- should include a medical provider number and contact details of the practice
- state the specific dates you have been declared unfit to study or include the LSP review date.
You may submit additional written, third-party documentation that you believe will help us to assess your extension request.
Please note, x-rays, scans, or photos of injuries are not accepted as documentation.
Employment and career-related reasons are not usually accepted as Special Circumstances. However, you may be eligible for an assessment extension if your situation meets certain criteria.
You can request an extension with supporting documentation if:
- Your employer increases your work hours, changes your roster, responsibilities, or redeploys you to a different role.
- Your employer unexpectedly changes your work location or directs you to transfer.
- You have important career events or opportunities that require significant time for preparation, training, travel, or relocation — especially if this disrupts your internet access, study schedule, or learning environment.
Your Statement of Circumstances must clearly explain how these changes have affected your ability to meet the assessment due date. You must also provide supporting documentation from your employer, dated on or before the assessment’s published due date.
Examples of Acceptable Supporting Documents
- A formal letter, email, duty roster, travel itinerary, or other official document from your current employer showing:
- You were required to work significantly more hours or take on additional responsibilities.
- You were directed to change work location or redeployed to a different position.
- Documents related to career events or opportunities (these must include your name and the dates your study was impacted), such as:
- A formal statement or communication
- Event registration or program
- Travel or accommodation itinerary.
Documentation Requirements
To avoid delays in processing your extension request, ensure your documentation is:
- Current and clearly identifies the business or organisation (e.g. letterhead, logo, or insignia)
- Written by a relevant representative (e.g. employer, manager, or supervisor) and includes their position and contact details
- Clearly shows the dates your study was affected.
You may also submit additional third-party documentation that supports your request.
You may be eligible for an assessment extension based on compassionate reasons if a personal or family circumstance has significantly impacted your ability to meet an assessment due date and is beyond your control.
Compassionate reasons may include:
- Sudden serious illness of a family member or carer responsibilities
- Sad News/Sorry Business, including the recent death of a family member or close friend
- Cultural or religious commitments that significantly affect your study
- Hardship or trauma, such as personal injury, accident, or sudden financial hardship
- Adverse experiences, including witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime, domestic violence, or sexual assault
- Traumatic events such as natural disasters, political upheaval, war, terrorism, or global pandemics
- School or family commitments affecting HeadStart students, minors, or those under 18
- Changes to living arrangements that disrupt your internet access, study schedule, or learning environment
- One-off major events that impact your ability to study, especially if assessment due dates were unknown at the time of enrolment or could not have been reasonably anticipated
Examples of acceptable supporting documents
- A carer’s statement from a medical practitioner, including the patient’s relationship to you and the dates care was required
- A death certificate, funeral notice, or service pamphlet. If the relationship isn’t clear, include details in your Statement of Circumstances or a Statutory Declaration
- A signed statement from a spiritual or community leader confirming your involvement and the impact on your study
- A police report, statement from a relevant authority, or letter from a professional you disclosed the incident to
- Government advisories, public health directions, or media reports related to traumatic events
- A letter from your school (on letterhead) confirming the event, dates, and how it affected your ability to study
- Documents showing a change of address, travel, or accommodation that impacted your study
Submitting your request
If supporting documents are not immediately available, you should still submit your extension request online by the assessment’s published due date. Include a detailed explanation in your Statement of Circumstances.
If you submit a request without documentation, you may be asked to provide it later, which could delay the outcome.
You can upload supporting documents to your submitted extension request via your Student Centre within two University business days. If you expect delays in obtaining documentation, note this in your request.
While team or regional-level commitments are not usually accepted as Special Circumstances, we will consider an extension request if significant training, rehearsals, travel, or location changes disrupt your internet access, study schedule, or learning environment.
To be eligible, your extension request must relate to a specific, unexpected event or activity, and the dates must not have been known or scheduled before the start of the study period (e.g. selection was confirmed after teaching commenced).
Examples of acceptable supporting documents
- A letter on official letterhead from a team, state, national, or international sporting body confirming:
- The specific event and dates
- The nature of your commitment (e.g. training, travel)
- How it affects your ability to submit the assessment on time.
- A signed and dated statement from a relevant organisation (on letterhead) confirming:
- Your name and the nature of your commitment (e.g. rehearsal, travel)
- The impact on your ability to meet the assessment deadline.
Specialised Support for Elite Athletes
UniSQ is a proud member of the Australian Institute of Sport’s Elite Athlete Friendly University (EAFU) Network, offering tailored support for students balancing sport and study. These services are designed to help you achieve your full academic potential while managing elite-level commitments.
Find out more about UniSQ's Elite Athlete Program.
If you're a current or former member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), a partner of someone who is, or an emergency services member or volunteer (e.g. SES, Rural Fire Service), and your commitments prevent you from submitting an assessment by the due date, you may be eligible for an extension.
Requests will be considered where your service or related responsibilities have disrupted your internet access, study schedule, or learning environment.
Examples of acceptable supporting documents
- A letter or statement on official letterhead, signed by an authorised officer from the relevant Defence department or emergency services organisation. This must include:
- Your role and the start/finish dates of service
- Details showing how your study was impacted.
- Documents related to career events or opportunities (these must include your name and the dates your study was affected), such as:
- A formal statement or communication
- Event registration or program
- Travel or accommodation itinerary.
Additional third-party documentation that supports your request may also be submitted
Support for military-connected students
UniSQ is proud to offer the Military Connected Student Friendly Support (MCSFS) program, designed to support students balancing military service and study. The program helps you manage competing demands and reach your full academic potential.
If you’ve received a jury summons, court appearance notice, or are involved in legal proceedings due to a personal or family circumstance that significantly affects your ability to submit an assessment by the due date, you may be eligible for an extension.
Legal reasons may include:
- Jury duty
- Witnessing or being the victim of a serious crime
- Domestic violence or sexual assault
- Hardship or trauma, such as personal injury, accident, or financial hardship.
Examples of acceptable supporting documents
- A copy of your jury summons, including the dates you are required to attend and how this impacts your ability to study
- A letter or email from your solicitor, case manager, or relevant officer, outlining the specific dates and how your study has been affected
Additional third-party documentation that supports your request may also be submitted.
Need support?
If you're experiencing distress or need someone to talk to, UniSQ’s Wellbeing Team offers free and confidential support for all students.
If you were unable to begin your program on the published commencement date due to a delay beyond your control (such as administrative processes involving the university, a government department, or another third party) and this has affected your ability to submit an assessment by the due date, you may be eligible for an extension.
Common reasons include:
- Delays in receiving an international student visa
- Late enrolment or delays in receiving textbooks or learning materials
- Delayed placement affecting the completion of related assessment items
Examples of acceptable supporting documents
- Correspondence from the relevant Australian Government department regarding visa processing delays
- Communication with UniSQ (e.g. Live Chat transcripts, email correspondence, incident reference numbers)
- Additional third-party documentation that supports your request.
Need help settling into study?
Our Student Success Advisors are here to support you from day one. They may reach out if they notice you could use a hand, but you’re also welcome to book an appointment anytime to chat about study strategies, resources, or anything that can help you settle in and succeed.