Appeals

Reviews and appeals at Adelaide University

What to do if you want to challenge a decision of Adelaide University

We understand that sometimes things don’t go as expected. If you believe a decision made about your studies at Adelaide University is incorrect, you may have the right to seek decision review or appeal, if the decision is designated as an appealable decision under our Student Appeals Procedure.

Where the matter relates to another kind of decision or experience, you can make a complaint under the Student Complaints Resolution Procedure.

This page outlines how the decision review and appeals process works, what support is available, and how we’ll work with you to find a resolution.

We’re here to listen and help you navigate the process with clarity and care.

What is a decision review or student appeal?

A decision review follows a formal request by a student for reconsideration of certain (‘appealable’) decisions made by the University and may be required before a student can proceed to an appeal. A student appeal is also a formal request for reconsideration of an appealable decision and is the final opportunity within the University to have the decision reconsidered.

This could relate to academic results, enrolment, assessment, fees, or other designated appealable decisions.

What is an appealable decision?

An appealable decision is a decision of the University that is eligible to be formally reconsidered. The list of appealable decisions is set out in the procedure and covers decisions concerning:

Academic misconduct
Academic progress (including preclusion)
Application for transfer or release
Assessment:
- Denial of an application for variation, under our Variations to Assessment Procedure
- Denial of a re-mark or re-submission, under our Assessment Procedure
- Final grade, under our Grading Procedure
Enrolment (including applications for amendment to enrolment and fees)
Medical leave
For graduate research students:
- Examination outcomes
- Suspension or termination of candidature
For international students:
- Notice of intention to cancel a CoE
- Refund of First Tuition Payment for commencing students
Student Misconduct Tribunal decisions.

When should I seek decision review and when can I appeal?

The following table sets out which decisions must go to decision review before they can be appealed, and which decisions require a student to proceed directly to an appeal:

Decision area	Decision Review	Appeal
Academic Misconduct	Academic Integrity Officer (AIO) outcome	Academic Integrity Review Committee outcome Formal Inquiry outcome
Assessment	Application for Variation to Enrolment Denial of re-mark or resubmission request Final Grade
Academic Progress	Conditions applied to continued enrolment	Preclusion
Enrolment	Amendment to Enrolment and Fees Notice of intention to cancel a CoE Other decisions under the Enrolment Procedure
Fees	Refund of First Tuition Payment (international students)
Graduate Research Candidature	Suspension of candidature (non-reinstatement)	Termination of Candidature
Medical leave	A requirement to take medical leave
Student Misconduct		Student Misconduct Tribunal outcome (including Research Misconduct)

You can also appeal a decision review outcome within 20 working days of receiving the outcome, if you remain dissatisfied and believe you have grounds.

On what basis can I seek review or appeal?

To be eligible for a decision review or appeal, the decision you are challenging must be an appealable decision.

There are strict timeframes for lodging an application, so it’s important to act promptly; if you demonstrate that extenuating circumstances have prevented a timely submission, we may exercise a discretion to allow a late application.

Your application for decision review or appeal must demonstrate grounds. Unless another policy or procedure states otherwise, grounds are limited to:

There is new evidence, not previously available, which would have materially impacted the decision.
Relevant University policy or processes were not followed.
A penalty applied is disproportionate or unreasonable in the circumstances.

Some decisions restrict appealable grounds to a failure to follow relevant procedures. If your application does not state any grounds, we may decline to assess your application further.

How to submit an appeal

Requests for decision review and appeals can be submitted using the online appeal form which will be provided here soon. The form will guide you on each step, including whether you should seek review or proceed to an appeal; it's the same dynamic form and you’ll be able to upload supporting documentation. You’ll also receive an email confirmation once your application is lodged and we’ll keep you updated throughout the process.

What happens next?

You will receive an acknowledgement of your application, sent to your student email address. Your application will then be assessed for eligibility (see above). You may be asked to provide additional information.

If your application is considered eligible, you will receive further guidance about the process, and your application will proceed to assessment as follows:

For a decision review, a review officer will consider your application. They may discuss the matter further with you or the original decision-maker. Once a decision has been made, you will be provided a written outcome, with reasons for the decision.
For an appeal, an appeal assessor in our central appeals team will consider your application. They may seek a negotiated outcome, may determine your application does not have grounds, and may refer your appeal to the Student Appeals Committee for a decision. We will keep you updated and email you any outcome, with reasons. See below for more information about the Student Appeals Committee.

Timelines

Strict timeframes apply for lodging your application, as follows:

Decision review:

For grading assessment decisions: within 10 working days of the appealable decision (5 working days for 6-week online teaching periods).
For other decisions: within 20 working days of the appealable decision.

Appeal:

Within 20 working days of the appealable decision; or
Where a decision review outcome has been provided, within 20 working days of that outcome.

Student Appeals Committee

Your appeal may be referred to the Student Appeals Committee (SAC). Appeals against Formal Inquiry outcomes or Student Misconduct Tribunal outcomes will be referred to the SAC. Where an appeal presents complex issues or is assessed as having grounds and no negotiated outcome is achieved, it may also be referred to the SAC.

Where an appeal is referred to the SAC, you will be provided no less than 5 working days’ notice of the meeting and will be given an opportunity to attend the meeting. The notice will provide information about the meeting, and you will be permitted to bring a support person, who may be a Student Care Advocate.

Common questions about appeals

Here are answers to some of the most asked questions about the appeals process at Adelaide University.

Students who are dissatisfied with a decision made by Adelaide University may seek either a formal review of the decision, or an appeal of the decision.

The Student Complaints Resolution Procedure provides a full list of appealable decisions and outlines which decisions require students seek a formal review before proceeding to an appeal.

Unless an Adelaide University policy specifically provides otherwise, grounds are limited to the following:

There is new evidence, not previously available, which would have materially impacted the decision.

Relevant policy or processes were not followed.

The penalty applied is disproportionate or unreasonable in the circumstances.

If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies, you can reach out to a Student Care Advocate for advice. More information regarding Student Care Advocates will be provided here soon.

No. Lodging an appeal won’t negatively impact your current studies. We’ll treat your appeal confidentially and respectfully, and your academic progress will continue as normal while the appeal is being reviewed.