Special consideration

Overview

Special consideration is available for students who have or will be severely disadvantaged with their studies, placements, assessments tasks or examinations on the following grounds:

• medical - serious acute or chronic medical conditions (including hospitalisation and mental illness)
• compassionate - can include severe trauma, personal situation, crime or assault
• hardship/ trauma - can include serious illness, death of a someone close or significant and severe personal circumstances
  

Application Process

Special consideration application forms are available from faculty/school or campus offices. Students can collect the forms in person, download them from the special consideration website or request they be posted to a nominated address.

The completed form together with appropriate supporting documentation must be submitted no later than 72 hours (3 University working days) after the due date of the examination or assessment task.

The Division of Student Administration provides students with detailed information regarding special consideration.

Deakin Health Service

Students needing to apply for special consideration on medical grounds can see a campus doctor, however the guidelines of application on medical grounds as set out by the University are adhered to by Health Service staff. Students with current or chronic medical conditions including mental health issues and mental illness are encouraged to obtain special consideration medical documentation via the doctor or health care provider who has specifically treated you for the medical condition(s), especially if it has been a long standing (chronic) medical condition.

Acute illness or accidents can be assessed and medical certificate documentation provided by Health Service staff, however staff cannot guarantee special consideration will be granted. Successful special consideration applications are decided by the University and faculty processes.

Statutory declarations

Currently Health Service doctors are not available to witness and sign statutory declarations. Eligible witnesses for special consideration are listed on the back of the statutory declaration form which can be downloaded from the Division of Student Administration special consideration website.

Deakin medical certificates

Students are advised that applications on medical grounds should be submitted using the University special consideration medical form. Medical forms can be downloaded or are available from the faculty/school or campus offices.

Additional support

Students can also obtain support from the Division of Student Life personal counselling service.

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