Special Consideration

An application for Special Consideration can be made if circumstances beyond a student’s control disadvantage the student’s studies.

Reasons for Special Consideration are classified as medical, compassionate, or hardship/ trauma and can include serious illness, death of a family member or severe disruption to domestic arrangements.

Application forms are available from the faculty/school/campus office. Applications must include supporting documentation from an appropriate authority.

Detailed information is available from the Division of Student Administration website:

General information and application process (Student information)
http://applicantportal.deakin.edu.au/connect_PROD/webconnect

Guiding principles for Special Consideration (Staff information)
http://www.deakin.edu.au/current-students/study-support/special-consideration.php

Deakin University has a number of staff on each campus who are approved to sign Statutory Declarations. A complete list can be found on the University's Legal Service site.

Frequently asked questions

Referring a student to counselling

Faculty staff can make referrals to counselling if they become aware that a student is unable to complete academic work because of:

a serious illness or death in the family
relationship breakdown
sudden loss or gain of employment
severe disruption to domestic arrangements
hospitalisation
serious injury
chronic illness
mental health issues

When students are referred to, or elect to see, a Counsellor they are supported in a number of different ways. These could include:

assistance with strategies to respond to the crisis
encouragement to review and develop new approaches to a personal issue
linking the student in to the services available in the Division of Student Life

The provision of counselling does not necessarily ensure Special Consideration will be granted.

Alternative to counselling

As an alternative to counselling students may wish to refer to the following advice:

for developing assertiveness
for making an effective complaint
for help with time management
for help with intimidation or harassment, contact DUSA advocacy services

If a member of staff is concerned about a student, Counsellors can be contacted for support and assistance. All discussions are confidential, so although the Counsellor cannot give any feedback to any party, it alerts the Counsellor to a potential problem. This does not break laws of privacy and confidentiality.