Academic Preclusion, Suspension and Expulsion Procedure

1. The purpose of our procedure

This procedure outlines the processes for managing student preclusion, suspension and expulsion from Adelaide University for reasons of academic misconduct or unsatisfactory academic progress.

Please read this procedure in conjunction with our:

• Academic Progress Procedure
• Enrolment Policy
• Admissions Policy
• Academic Integrity Policy.

2. Who our procedure applies to

2.1 Inclusions

This procedure applies to all students enrolled in Adelaide University courses and programs.

2.2 Exclusions

This procedure does not apply to:

• Students who have been suspended, expelled or precluded from research degree programs, which are subject to our Research Degree Policy and associated procedures
• Students who have been suspended or expelled on non-academic grounds.

3. Our academic preclusion, suspension and expulsion procedure

The decision to suspend, expel, or preclude a student will be made under either the Academic Misconduct Procedure or the Academic Progress Procedure.

3.1 Suspension

• A student may be suspended from their program for academic misconduct.
• If Adelaide University concludes that the academic misconduct of the student warrants suspension, the student will be advised of the reasons for the decision, the duration of the suspension period and that: 
  • enrolment in any course in their program or admission to any other program at Adelaide University will not be considered from the date of the letter until the end of the suspension period
  • if the suspension period is equal to or greater than one year, they are required to apply for re-admission to Adelaide University. Re-admission will follow normal admission procedures and is not guaranteed
  • if they are re-admitted, they will be classified as a new student for the purposes of assessing fees including eligibility to be a Commonwealth Supported Student, or for other assistance
  • they have the right to appeal the decision within 20 working days of being notified of the outcome, as detailed in the relevant procedure.

• If a student is formally notified of the decision to suspend for academic misconduct before the census date, the suspension will commence in the current study period. If this notification is after the census date, the suspension will commence in the next applicable study period. If the student is in their final study period, the suspension will be applied as specified in the suspension correspondence.
• The student's record will indicate a suspension during the period in which it is active.

3.2 Expulsion

• Where Adelaide University determines that the academic misconduct actions of the student warrant expulsion, the expulsion will take effect from the date of the letter notifying them of the decision. The student will also be advised that:
  • from the date of the letter, admission to any other program or enrolment in any other course at Adelaide University will not be considered
  • they have the right to appeal the decision within 20 working days of being notified of the outcome.

• The student's record will reflect an expulsion from Adelaide University.

3.3 International student suspension and expulsion

• An international student whose academic misconduct actions have resulted in either a suspension or expulsion will, in addition, be advised that:
  • they have the right to request an internal appeal within 20 working days of receiving the outcome
  • if they access the internal appeal process as defined in the relevant procedure, their Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be maintained until the internal appeal is completed, unless extenuating circumstances apply
  • if the appeal is unsuccessful, the suspension or expulsion will be reported to the Australian Government, which will result in the cancellation of their CoE and may affect their student visa
  • if they are a sponsored student, the suspension or expulsion will be reported to their sponsoring body.

3.4 Preclusion

• A student will be identified for preclusion if they meet the criteria for unsatisfactory progress in their program over a defined period, in accordance with the Academic Progress Procedure.
• Before a decision to preclude is made, the student will be notified through an intention to preclude notice, which will include details of available support services, and allowed to submit an application to remain enrolled as set out in the Academic Progress Procedure.
• Following consideration by the [Academic Progress Committee] and completion of the appeal process (if applicable), the student will be notified in writing of the outcome.
• If a final decision to preclude is confirmed and appeal rights have been exhausted or not exercised:
  • they have the right to appeal the decision within 20 working days of being notified of the outcome, as detailed in the relevant procedure
  • if they do not appeal, or their appeal is denied, the preclusion will be upheld and their enrolment in the program will be discontinued and the preclusion recorded against their program
  • re-admission to a program at the same level in the same discipline or at a higher level, regardless of discipline, will not be considered for one year
  • any future admission will follow normal admission policy and is not guaranteed
  • re-admitted students will be treated as a new student for the purposes of assessing fees including eligibility to be a Commonwealth Supported Student, or for other assistance.
• An international student who is precluded will, in addition, be advised that:
  • the preclusion will be reported to the Australian Government, which will result in the cancellation of their CoE and may affect their student visa
  • if they access the internal and external appeals processes their CoE will be maintained pending the outcome of the appeals.
• If a student is precluded from a bachelor award and is also enrolled in a related concurrent award, the preclusion will apply in accordance with the Academic Progress Procedure, including any eligibility to apply to transfer to a relevant single award where permitted.

4. Who holds a responsibility within this procedure

4.1 The Pro Vice Chancellor – College or delegate is responsible for:

• Approving decisions to suspend, expel or preclude a student under this procedure.

4.2 The Executive Director, Student and Academic Services or delegate is responsible for:

• Ensuring this procedure is implemented consistently across Adelaide University.
• Monitoring and reporting all preclusion, suspension and expulsion outcomes to meet Higher Education Standards Framework obligations and internal governance requirements.

4.3 The Program Directors and Course Coordinators are responsible for:

• Identifying students at risk of unsatisfactory progress and escalating cases in accordance with the Academic Progress Procedure.
• Contributing to student education on expected standards of academic behaviour and academic integrity as part of their role in managing misconduct matters.

4.4 Academic Integrity Officers are responsible for:

• Investigating allegations of academic misconduct and recommending outcomes that may include suspension or expulsion, in line with the Academic Integrity Policy.

4.5 Student Success staff are responsible for:

• Recording suspensions, expulsions and preclusions in the student management system and ensuring students are formally notified in writing.

4.6 International Compliance staff are responsible for:

• Notifying the Australian Government and sponsoring bodies (if applicable) of suspensions, expulsions or preclusions affecting international students, and maintaining CoE in line with appeal processes.

4.7 Students:

• Have the right to lodge an internal appeal within 20 working days of receiving notification of suspension, expulsion or preclusion.

5. Definitions used in our procedure

Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.

Academic Misconduct is any action inconsistent with academic integrity, and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Plagiarism:

• Directly copying of material from electronic or print resources without acknowledging the source
• Closely paraphrasing sentences or whole passages without referencing the original work
• Submitting another person’s work in whole or in part
• Using another person’s ideas, work, or research data without acknowledgement
• Appropriating or imitating another’s ideas
• Submitting work for which the student has received or intends to receive credit in the same course or other courses (self-plagiarism).

2. Collusion, such as any unauthorised collaboration in preparation or presentation of work, including knowingly allowing personal work to be copied by others.

3. Contract cheating, which is the outsourcing of assessments to a third party, whether that is a commercial provider, or a non-commercial provider such as a current or former student, family member, or acquaintance.

4. A breach of examination rules that is determined to be a breach of academic integrity.

5. Presenting and/or submitting for assessment documents or data that are copied, falsified, or in any way improperly obtained.

6. Presenting and/or submitting academic work for assessment or review produced through generative artificial intelligence tools unless permitted under assessment guidelines.

7. File sharing such as exchange of assessment questions, answers or notes with other students, or uploading assessment questions to online file sharing sites or study sites.

8. Providing significant assistance to a student in the completion and/or presentation of their academic work

9. Fabricating or falsifying information or student identity

10. Offering or accepting bribes for potential academic gain.

Census date means the date in each study period (or research period for research degree programs) by which a student’s enrolment in a course must be finalised and on which applicable fees and charges are incurred. It is the last day a student may withdraw from a course and have it removed from their academic record. It is also the deadline for financial requirements, including submitting a request for Commonwealth support and a HECS-HELP form, submitting a request for FEE-HELP assistance, paying any upfront student contribution, obtaining a HECS-HELP loan, or providing a Tax File Number.

Commonwealth supported student means a student who is eligible for and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. Commonwealth supported students pay a student contribution amount and the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). 

Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) means an official document issued by Adelaide University to international students to confirm enrolment status, required for student visa holders by the Australian Government. 

Suspension means the suspension of a student’s enrolment and, for a specified period, the discontinuation of rights and privileges associated with that enrolment, including the right to re-enrol, access University systems, services and facilities for students, and participate in classes, placements, assessments, research or student activities.

Expulsion means the cancellation of enrolment of a student and termination of all rights and privileges as a student of Adelaide University including the right to re-enrol as a student and right to enter or to be on Adelaide University grounds or premises.

Preclusion (from a program) means cancellation of a student’s enrolment in that program and, for 12 months, a prohibition on enrolment in that program, any cognate program at the same level, or any program at a higher level.

Unsatisfactory academic progress means academic performance that does not meet the minimum progression requirements for a program and triggers review and, where required, intervention under the relevant Adelaide University progression rules and procedures.

6. How our procedure is governed

This procedure is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

7. Legislation and other documents related to our procedure

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University.

8. History of changes

At the time of writing, Adelaide University’s organisational structure, position titles, and committee names have not been confirmed. Square brackets [ ] indicate placeholders for these details. Brackets are also used to identify policy elements that are subject to further decision-making or confirmation. These will be updated once final decisions are made.