Appeal a final grade
Find out whether you can appeal a final grade, and what the process involves.
What is a final grade appeal?
A final grade appeal (also referred to as a review of grades) is a formal request to have a final grade reconsidered if you have valid concerns about how a unit was delivered or assessed. This process only applies to end-of-semester results (or if you disputed a grade during the semester and are still unhappy with the outcome).
If you didn't perform well due to personal or health issues, you can't appeal your grade, but you can apply for a remission of debt (debt cancelled or fees refunded).
Eligibility and timing
Most final grade appeals relate to MF or F grades, but you can appeal even if you've passed the unit (e.g. if you've received a distinction but believe issues during the course prevented you from achieving a high distinction).
Your appeal must be based on one or more of the following grounds:
- The task descriptions or assessment criteria were insufficient or unclear.
- The assessors didn't follow the set assessment procedures.
- The marking criteria were either applied inconsistently, misinterpreted or used in a way that disadvantaged you.
You can only appeal after your final result is officially published in my Student Centre, and you must get your submission in within 10 working days from the grade publication date. Late applications might be accepted, but only at the discretion of the institute staff.
Early Semester 2 Nursing students have until 5 January 2027 to submit a final grade appeal because the usual 10-working-day appeal period falls during Federation's holiday shutdown period.
How to appeal a final grade
Follow these steps or download a pdf version (239 KB).
Read the Student Appeal Procedure to see if you meet at least one of the grounds for appeal.
Our Review of Grades Guide explains how to set out your concerns and what types of supporting evidence you can use. If you need advice about specific issues, view one of these student guides:
Groupwork Challenges (PDF 116 KB)
Concerns with Marking (PDF 116 KB)
Assessment Information Unclear (PDF 116 KB)
Concerns with Placement Documentation (PDF 116 KB)
We can help you:
- understand whether you have valid grounds for appeal
- review your draft letter and give you feedback
- decide what evidence to include.
Make an appointment as soon as you receive your grades.
Your appeal letter should clearly explain:
- on which ground(s) you’re appealing
- how the issue affected your result and meets the selected ground(s)
- your supporting evidence.
Keep your letter clear, focused and factual.
You'll need to include copies of documents that will support your case, such as:
- a copy of the course description with unclear or missing information highlighted
- screenshots of Moodle pages showing discrepancies
- emails or communications with lecturers
- marking rubrics or feedback on assessments
- any other documents that demonstrate the issue you're raising.
If you don't submit any supporting evidence, your appeal is unlikely to succeed.
Complete the Institute Student Appeal Submission Form (PDF 315 KB). (Use Acrobat to edit the file rather than your browser.) You can add your appeal letter directly to this form or keep it as a separate document.
Email the form, letter and any supporting evidence to your institute's appeals email address (see below). Your student number should appear on all documents. Address the email to the executive dean of your institute and use the subject line 'Review of grades application: CONFIDENTIAL'.
Institute of Health and Wellbeing: health.appeals@federation.edu.au
Institute of Education, Arts and Community: educationarts.appeals@federation.edu.au
Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability: iiss.appeals@federation.edu.au
Not sure which institute you belong to? Email studentadvocacy@federation.edu.au to check.