Withdraw without penalty

Your application must provide sufficient information and supporting, independent documentation to demonstrate that your special circumstances meet all three of the following criteria.

1. The circumstances were beyond your control
   • the circumstances must not be due to your own action or inaction, either direct or indirect.
2. The full impact of the circumstances did not become apparent until on, or after, the census date. Circumstances may occur:
   • on or after the census date,
   • before the census date, but worsen after that date, or
   • before the census date, but the full impact does not become apparent until after that date.
3. The circumstances prevented you from successfully completing the requirements of the course, i.e., due to the special circumstances, you were unable to:
   • undertake the necessary private study, attend sufficient lectures or tutorials, or meet other compulsory attendance requirements
   • complete the required assessment items
   • sit the required examination
   • complete any other compulsory course requirement.

Special circumstances may be assessed on the basis of:

• serious illness or injury which results in significant functional impacts on a student’s ability to successfully complete the requirements of the course
• bereavement
• significant personal circumstances involving the health or wellbeing of a close relative
• employment related circumstances, such as an unexpected and substantial increase in work hours, employer directed transfer or unexpected additional responsibilities
• other exceptional circumstances beyond your control (e.g., natural disaster, damage to significant property, impacts arising from being the victim of a crime, etc.).

For a full overview of special circumstances, please refer to the Assessment of Special Circumstances Procedure.

Circumstances not considered to meet the eligibility criteria include:

• circumstances which do not impact on your ability to successfully complete the requirements of the course e.g., did not occur during the relevant study period, short-term illness or impairment
• known impairment such as chronic illness, injury or disability unless medical evidence confirms that, despite appropriate management, there has been an unexpected change or worsening of the condition*
• circumstances which are more appropriately covered by other administrative processes (e.g., deferred, or supplementary assessment or examination, or special consideration)
• the removal of fail grades from previous study periods
• inability to pay tuition fees or repay a HELP debt
• failure to appropriately manage your enrolment in relation to the census date.**

* Applications submitted repeatedly for the same or similar circumstances may be declined on the basis that the circumstances are not unexpected.

** In accordance with the Higher Education Support Act, any Student Amenities Fees paid is not refundable under any circumstances.

To support your application, you’ll need a letter or document from a qualified professional (not a friend or family member) who can confirm your situation. This should explain:

• When your circumstances started
• How long they lasted
• How they affected your ability to study
• When it became clear you couldn’t complete your course/s.

Please note, Statutory Declarations are not accepted as independent evidence.

If you circumstances are medical

Provide a letter or certificate from your treating healthcare professional that includes:

• Dates of your appointments
• When your condition began or changed
• How long it lasted
• How it impacted your studies
• When it became clear you couldn’t complete your course/s.

The letter must include the practitioner’s name, provider number, contact details, signature, and issue date.

If your circumstances are family of personal

Provide a letter from a professional (e.g. counsellor, lawyer, school principal, or community leader) that outlines:

• When the situation began or changed
• How long it lasted
• How it affected your studies
• When it became clear you couldn’t complete your course.

The letter must include the professional’s name, role, contact details, signature, and date.

If your circumstances are work-related

Provide a letter from your employer or supervisor (on company letterhead) that explains:

• When and why your work situation changed
• Your previous and current work conditions (hours, duties, location)
• How this change affected your studies
• When it became clear you couldn’t complete your course/s.

You must submit your application within 12 months of the study period in which you were enrolled.

Your application must include:

• a personal statement detailing the nature of the circumstances, when the circumstances occurred, how the circumstances adversely impacted on your ability to complete the requirements of the course, and when this impact became apparent.
• evidence from a professional (like a doctor, counsellor, or other relevant expert) to support your application - you can find more information in the Guidelines for supporting documentation section on this page.

To apply:

1. Log in to UConnect
2. Go to your Student Centre
3. Click on the 'Online Requests' tile
4. Choose 'Add a New Request'
5. Select the 'Withdraw without Penalty' menu item.

If you disagree with the outcome of your application, you can ask for it to be reviewed. To do this, submit a Review of Decision request within 28 days of the original decision date.

You’ll need to:

• Submit your request through the Online Request section in your Student Centre
• Include a statement explaining why you believe the decision should be reconsidered
• Attach any new or additional documents that support your case.

You’ll receive a response to your student email (UMail) within 45 days of submitting your request.

If your review is unsuccessful, we’ll let you know how to request an external review.