Adverse circumstances

Adverse Circumstances are issues beyond your control that affect your ability to complete assessments, sit your exam or have a negative impact on your performance.

Acceptable reasons for an Adverse Circumstances application are:

  • health grounds
  • compassionate grounds
  • hardship
  • trauma
  • cultural days or Sorry Business
  • unavoidable commitments

Adverse Circumstances do not include:

  • misreading the Course Outline or examination timetable.
  • usual work commitments.
  • travel plans.
  • being unaware of the assumed knowledge requirements for your course
  • an inability to meet the inherent requirement for the program or course

Note: You must tell the University about your adverse circumstances in advance of your assessment being due and prior to your exam.

If the issue arises during the exam, you must advise the Exam Supervisor of your intention to lodge an adverse circumstances application before leaving the exam.

How to apply

  1. Check the Adverse Circumstances Affecting Assessment Items Procedure and Adverse Circumstances Affecting Assessment Items Policy to ensure your reasons will be considered valid.
  2. Complete the online adverse circumstances application in myUni.
  3. You'll be sent an email for you to confirm if your application has been approved.

Compulsory Attendance Exemptions

Attendance is not recorded in lectures, but is recorded in all other activities, including tutorials, labs, workshops and field trips.

Key points about recording student attendance

  • 80% attendance is required at all learning sessions, except whole-class lectures, for all students in 1000 level courses.
  • Students who are unable to attend a class in a 1000 level course should record their absence using the myUni App.
  • For courses above 1000 level, students should contact the Course Coordinator to request a compulsory attendance exemption

Joint Medical Program (JMP) students

Adverse circumstances are slightly different for JMP students, so make sure you are familiar with the Program’s policies and procedures before you commence your studies.

Policies and procedures