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Discretionary Assessment Extension

A Discretionary Assessment Extension is an application for a short-term extension on one assessment task. If a longer extension is being sought, or extension for multiple assessment or courses, the student is required to apply for Special Consideration.

  1. Download and submit the completed Discretionary Assessment Extension application form to your lecturer / Teacher (email preferred) no later than two working days prior to the assessment submission date and outline the length of extension you are requesting (up to 5 University working days) and the reason for this request.
  2. Student to submit any documentation that may support their discretionary assessment extension request (includes, but not limited to doctors certificate, assessment drafts or evidence of progress, evidence of group-work difficulties) if applicable.

VET General Consideration

For Vocational and Education Training (VET) students applying for special consideration for circumstances beyond their control that prevent them from undertaking or completing an assessment task at the scheduled time.

Eligible students can apply for the following types of VET Special Consideration - General:

  • Extension of Assessment due date
  • Attendance requirements

Applications for VET Special Consideration will only be considered on the following grounds:

  • Medical Reasons: e.g., hospital admission, serious injury, severe asthma, severe anxiety or depression. Does not include minor illnesses.
  • Compassionate grounds: e.g., death of a significant other, significant relationship breakdown.
  • Hardship/Trauma: e.g., victim of crime, sudden loss of income or employment, severe disruption to domestic arrangements.
  • Other Causes: e.g., military or jury service, service to emergency services such as Country Fire Authority.

Circumstances within the students control (e.g., holidays, social or family occasions, usual demands of employment) and minor ailments will not be accepted as grounds for special consideration.

Supporting documentation must be submitted and can include one or more of the following:

the dates of any relevant consultations or attendances;

If relevant, the nature of the complaint or treatments; and

A specific statement that in the health care professional's opinion (not the student opinion that, as a result of the complaint or treatment, the student is, or was, severely, moderately, or in a minor way, impacted or unfit or unable to undertake the assessment or attend the campus over a specific time frame.

  • A death notice certificate;
  • A police report
  • Notification including start and finish dates of:

Defence Reserve Service from the Defence Reservists Military Unit;

Jury service from the Jury Commissioner's Office;

Obligations to emergency services, from organisations such as the Country Fire Authority

  • Statutory declarations from relevant people

Students with ongoing medical conditions or disabilities are encouraged to engage with the Disability and Learning Access Unit (DLAU) and negotiate a Learning Access Plan (LAP).

Disability is defined as:

  • Total or partial loss of bodily or mental functions; total or partial loss, malfunction, malformation or disfigurement of part of the body; or
  • A disorder or malfunction that results in the person learning differently from a person without the disorder or malfunction; or
  • The presence in the body of organisms capable of, or causing disease or illness; or
  • A disorder, illness or disease that affects thought processes, perception of reality, emotions or judgment resulting in disturbed behaviour; and includes a disability that:
  • Presently exists; or previously existed but no longer exists; or may exist in the future; or is imputed to a person.

1. Download and complete the VET Special Consideration Application Form - General or the Healthcare Professional Form or the Discretionary Extension Form (lodge discretionary forms with your teacher).

2. Complete the form, if you are unsure about the information required to complete the form, seek assistance from a University Counsellor, Student HQ or your course coordinator.

3. Provide additional information required.

4. Sign the completed form and put it together with your supporting documentation, to be submitted as follows:

Submission Details

VET Special Consideration - General & Health Care Professional Application Forms

Applications must be lodged prior to the approved submission date unless there are exceptional circumstances including, but not limited to, hospitalisation or inability to access the campus due to illness, recent death of a significant other, and/or natural disaster that inhibits access to the campus internet connection.

5. Lodge your form;

  • On campus students: in person to Student HQ
  • Ballarat Mt Helen : Ground floor, Building T
  • SMB: Building D
  • Camp Street: Building C, Level O
  • Gippsland: Science, health, IT and Engineering - Building 2W, room 242
  • Gippsland: Arts, Education, business and FAST - Building 1S room 203
  • Electronically via email - specialcon@federation.edu.au

Partner provider students: To your partner provider administration office.

Discretionary Extension Form

Lodge this form directly with your teacher (email preferred).

There are three possible outcomes of an application for VET Special Consideration - General:

  • Special Consideration granted: A new submission date is to be arranged for the student's assessment task.
  • Special Consideration granted: attendance requirements renegotiated
  • Special Consideration not granted.

A student may cancel or withdraw their application by contacting the institute or school directly.

Notification of outcome

You will be notified via your University email whether your application was successful. Student HQ will notify the lecturers and/or examinations unit identified in the application. You will need to contact your relevant academic staff to finalise the adjustments to your assessment(s) in accordance with your application.

Student HQ must inform you of the outcome within ten University working days of your application.

  1. Students may lodge an appeal against a Special Consideration outcome within 10 University working days of the adverse decision. Appeals must be submitted, in writing, to the Appeals Committee.
  2. Students must ensure they include all relevant documentation to support their appeal.
  3. The Student Advisory service can assist students to compile their documentation when submitting an appeal.

If you are unsure and need support or help with your application, you can talk to a Counsellor at your campus.

For assistance with an appeal refer to the University Student Advisory Service by ph: 03 5327 6105 or email studentadviser@federation.edu.au

Federation University Australia ('the University') is committed to protecting and maintaining the privacy, accuracy and security of personal information. The sharing of the information in this form must comply with the University's Information Privacy Policy.

Individuals have a right of access to, and correction of, their personal information in accordance with privacy legislation and the University's Information Privacy Policy. Please direct any enquiries in this regard to the University's Privacy Officer by telephone on (03) 5327 9504 or email: privacyofficer@federation.edu.au

Go to the Student Access, Progression and Wellbeing web page to see the following policies & procedures:

  • Student Access, Progression and Wellbeing Policy
  • VET Special Consideration Procedure
  • Disability Learning Access Plan Procedure

View the Information Privacy Policy