Student Health Assessment and Medical Leave Policy

1. Purpose

1.1 The purpose of this policy is to provide a compassionate and appropriate mechanism for managing cases where a student has a serious health condition that causes behaviour posing a significant risk to themselves or others.

1.2 This policy allows the University to place a student who has a serious health condition on a period of [student health and medical leave], with the option to return to study subject to specified conditions being met. This process will be invoked in cases where the student is unwilling or unable to request a voluntary leave of absence.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to all enrolled Adelaide University students.

3. Exclusions

There are no exclusions.

4. Responsibilities

Responsibilities relating to [student health and medical leave] are set out in the Student Health Assessment and Medical Leave Procedure.

[Student health and medical leave] is distinct from a general leave of absence. Unlike a leave of absence, which is an administrative pause in enrolment, [student health and medical leave] is a formal agreement (voluntary or directed) that includes conditions for return to study to ensure the student is fit and supported to resume their program.

5. Policy

5.1 Adelaide University is committed to providing a student experience that is supportive of all students. This includes a responsibility to ensure that the learning environment is safe, inclusive and respectful.

5.2 Adelaide University recognises that students are responsible for their own health and wellbeing and for ensuring that they comply with the [Student Code of Conduct]. The University encourages students to seek assistance by accessing its support services to help them manage any ongoing or intermittent health conditions.

5.3 Adelaide University supports students to manage health conditions by:

• providing a range of accessible and inclusive wellbeing and academic support services
• making reasonable adjustments to academic study and assessment
• providing the option to take leave from study or to reduce study load.

5.4 Adelaide University is committed to assisting students to manage the impact of serious health conditions on their university study where possible and will provide opportunities for active participation in decisions concerning fitness to study.

5.5 The [student health and medical leave] will be regarded as a measure of last resort. It will only be implemented for students with serious health conditions when other relevant supportive strategies have not succeeded in mitigating risk or are not appropriate to the circumstances.

5.6 Conditions for return to study will apply to all students placed on [student health and medical leave], whether voluntary or non-voluntary.

5.7 This policy does not preclude or replace disciplinary action in response to criminal activity or violations of Adelaide University statutes, codes, policies, procedures or rules.

5.8 This policy and its associated procedures will be applied in a manner consistent with the principles of transparency and procedural fairness. 

5.9 Matters relating to students who are under 18 years of age will be managed in accordance with relevant legislation, including the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.

5.10 Matters relating to international students will be managed in accordance with relevant legislation, including the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000.

5.11 Management of all student cases will comply with Adelaide University’s Privacy Policy.

6. Definitions used in our policy

This policy document has been adopted from the University of South Australia and adapted to meet Adelaide University requirements. 

All definitions have been reviewed and aligned with the Adelaide University glossary to ensure consistency and accuracy. Where terms differ from common usage or legacy terminology, the definitions in the Adelaide University glossary prevail.

International student means a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and does not hold Australian permanent residency.

Leave of absence means a time period during which Adelaide University permits a student to remain unenrolled from courses but retain their place in a program.

Serious health condition means an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental health condition which results in behaviour that poses a significant risk to the student themselves and/or to others while the student is engaged in University related activities.

Student means a person enrolled in an enabling program, award or non-award coursework study, a research program, or a short course or microcredential at Adelaide University.

Student health and medical leave means a temporary period of leave from study, agreed with or directed for a student whose health or wellbeing significantly affects their ability to participate safely or effectively in Adelaide University activities. It is intended to support recovery and enable a safe return to study.

7. How our policy is governed

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

8. Legislation and other documents related to our policy

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

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.