Governance

Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Relating to Coursework Students

Contacts

Policy Acronyms: 

RAO - Review of Assessment Outcome
RFG - Review of Final Grade/Mark
RPS - Review of Progress Status
RAD - Review of Academic Decision
SAAO - Student Appeal of Assessment Outcome
SAFG - Student Appeal of Final Grade/Mark
SAPS - Student Appeal of Progress Status
SAAD - Student Appeal of Academic Decision 

As of 19 July 2021, the University will receive and record all Reviews and Appeals of Academic Decisions electronically in a case management system called Advocate with key documentation also stored on a student's TRIM record.


Part A: Stage 1 Review Process – Steps to follow:

Step 1: Student to the Policy and the procedure in Schedule A of the Policy.

Step 2: Student to complete the online form requesting a Stage 1 Review and attach any relevant documentation.

Step 3: Student Office staff will receive and review the online form and:

(a) where the request is received outside the time allowed will advise the student the request cannot be progressed and close the case; or

(b) where the request is received within the time allowed will send the request to the Stage 1 Review decision maker. 

Step 4: The Stage 1 Review decision maker will review the request and make a decision communicating this back to the Student Office staff who will email the student a Notice of Outcome - Stage 1 Review which advises the student of the outcome and their right to request an appeal of a Stage 1 Progress Status review outcome or a Stage 2 Review of all other decisions.  The email includes a link for the student to lodge either a Stage 2 Review or an Appeal electronically.  

 

Part B: Stage 2 Review Process – Steps to follow for all decisions except progress status:

Step 1: Student to the Policy and the procedure in Schedule A of the Policy.

Step 2: Student to lodge a Stage 2 Review request by clicking the link in the Stage 1 Notice of Outcome.  The student completes the online form and can attach any relevant documentation.

Step 3: Student Office staff will receive and review the online form and:.

(a) where the request is received outside the time allowed will advise the student the request cannot be progressed and close the case; or

(b) where the request is received within the time allowed will send the request to the Stage 2 decision maker:

  • Assessment Outcome to the Head of School or delegated reviewer;
  • Final Grade to the relevant Board of Studies or delegated reviewer;
  • Progress Status - no Stage 2 - progresses to an Appeal; or
  •  Other academic decision to the Joint Board of Studies Student Matters Committee.

Step 4: The Stage 2 decision maker will review the request and make a decision communicating this to the Student Office staff who will email the student a Notice of Outcome - Stage 2 Review which advises the student of the outcome and their right to request an appeal.  The email includes a link for the student to lodge an appeal electronically.

 

Part B: Appeal Process – Steps to follow:

Step 1: Student to the Policy and the procedure as specified in Schedule B of the Policy.

Step 2: Student to submit the appeal and provide relevant documentation within the time-frame set out in Schedule B of the Policy.  Student submits the appeal by clicking the link in the Notice of Outcome - Stage 1 (for Progress Status) or Notice of Outcome - Stage 2 for all other academic decisions.  

Step 3: Student Office staff will receive and review the appeal form and:

(a) where the request is received outside the time allowed will advise the student the request cannot be progressed and close the case; or

(b) where the request is received within the time allowed will check documentation and complete the internal form before assigning the case to the Office of the Academic Secretary.

Step 4: The Office of the Academic Secretary will advise the Chair of the University Appeals Committee (Appeals Committee) of the appeal and the Chair will determine if the appeal is to be heard or dismissed.  The Office of the Academic Secretary will notify the student by email that:

(a) the appeal has been dismissed and that there are no further steps available within the University, advise of external options, and close the case, or

(b) the appeal is to be heard by the Appeals Committee.

Step 5: If the appeal is to be heard, the student should prepare for a hearing as they will be provided an opportunity to formally present the case.  Students should consider and take the following actions:

  • Consider a support person and a student in the Guild Student Assist for assistance and support;
  • Advise the Executive Officer of the Appeals Committee (email: [email protected]) if they are going to attend a hearing and if bringing  a support person, the name of that person;
  • advise their support person that they cannot act as the student's representative at the hearing. 

Step 6: Student to attend the hearing and present their case.

Step 7: The Office of the Academic Secretary will provide the student with a Notice of Appeal Outcome within the time-frame specified in Schedule B of the Policy.  If not, then follow-up with the Executive Officer ([email protected]).  The Notice of Appeal Outcome will advise the student of:

(a) the factors considered and the decision of the Appeals Committee;

(b) their right to refer their case to an external body (eg. Ombudsman Western Australia) as there are no further steps available within the University. 

Step 8: The Office of the Academic Secretary will close the file.

 

Part C: Guide for Reviewers

Step 1: Assess the review application to ensure that the submission complies with the requirements set out in Schedule A of the Policy (that is, it has been submitted within the time-line provided in the schedule, has identified the ground for lodging a review, etc.).

Step 2: Review the decision in light of the information provided by the student. Refer to Review Guide for Reviewers.

Step 3: Make a decision and record, or have recorded, the decision in Advocate.

Step 4: Communicate decisions formally to the student via Advocate.

Step 5: Key decisions and relevant documents will be placed on a student's TRIM file via Advocate.