Appeal Policy & Procedure (Academic)

Appeal Policy (Academic)

This policy reflects the principles, expectations and responsibilities of both Avondale University and its students in the management of an appeal of an academic decision.

Details regarding the process, timeline and staff and student responsibilities, are available in the Appeal Procedure (Academic). Grounds for appeal are also available in this procedure.

Appeal Procedure (Academic)

This procedure supports the Appeal Policy (Academic) by documenting Avondale University’s student appeal process for review of academic decisions regarding grades, student progression, exclusion, and other academic matters. It also outlines the appeal process for prospective students.

Policy Owner: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

Procedure Owner: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

Approving Body: Academic Board

Date Approved: 3 September 2026

Notes for Students 2026

A student may apply for a Review of Grade where:

• the Unit Information, Unit Outline and/or LMS was not prepared in accordance with the Assessment Policy (HE Coursework);

• the assessment requirements as specified in the Unit Information, Unit Outline and/or LMS were varied in an unreasonable way;

• assessment requirements specified in the Unit Information, Unit Outline and/or LMS were unreasonably or prejudicially applied to the student;

• an error occurred in the computation of the grade; or

• appropriate consideration has not been paid to the evidence of illness or misadventure that was previously provided to the University as part of an application.

An application for a Review of Grade will not be considered when one or more of the following apply:

• the student’s grade for that unit has been applied as a result of a determination of academic misconduct under the Academic Integrity Policy and the Academic Misconduct Procedure; or

• the student has not completed all the essential requirements of the unit (unless there are extenuating circumstances).

A student may appeal against an academic decision of the University such as (but not limited to) Admission, Assessment Special Provisions and Adjustments, Academic Misconduct, Cancellation of Enrolment, Exclusion, Probation, Recognition of Prior Learning, Leave of Absence, Refusal of a Request for Transfer (International Students), Suspension, and decisions regarding Higher Degree Candidature.

Individuals who are not enrolled at Avondale but are prospective students and who wish to appeal regarding their application for enrolment, advanced standing or other academic matters, may do so following the process outlined in this section.

Applications to appeal decisions other than Review of Grades, must be based on evidence that the original decision-maker:

• failed to follow Avondale policy and/or procedure; and/or

• applied the policy or procedure to the student in an unreasonable or prejudicial manner; and/or

• failed to consider relevant information which may have materially affected the decision.

Where a student seeks to make a Stage 1 appeal, they must submit the appeal within 10 working days of the date on which the academic decision was communicated, unless there are extenuating circumstances, which must be documented.

Stage 1 Student Appeal Form

If a student believes the outcome of a Stage 1 appeal warrants subsequent appeal on procedural grounds, they may lodge a Stage 2 appeal.

A Stage 2 appeal will not be considered if it simply consists of a re-submission of the appeal presented in Stage 1.

A Stage 2 appeal must outline the evidence that the Stage 1 decision-maker failed to either:

• follow Avondale policy and/or procedure; and/or

• consider relevant information available at the time of the Stage 1 appeal which may have materially affected the outcome.

Where a student seeks to make an appeal against a decision of the Associate Dean (L&T) or VET Coordinator, they must submit the appeal within 10 working days of the date on which the outcome of their Stage 1 appeal was communicated, unless there are extenuating circumstances, which must be documented.

Stage 2 Student Appeal Form

If a student believes the outcome of a Stage 2 appeal warrants subsequent appeal on procedural grounds, they may lodge a Stage 3 appeal.

A Stage 3 appeal will not be considered if it simply consists of a re-submission of the appeal presented in Stage 2.

A Stage 3 appeal must outline the evidence that the Stage 2 decision-maker failed to either:

• follow Avondale policy and/or procedure; and/or

• consider relevant information available at the time of the Stage 2 appeal which may have materially affected the outcome.

Where a student seeks to make an appeal against a decision of the Dean (L&T), they must submit the appeal within 10 working days of the date on which the outcome of their Stage 2 appeal was communicated, unless there are extenuating circumstances, which must be documented.

Stage 3 Student Appeal Form

Non-Enrolled Student Academic Appeal Form 2022

Professional practitioner certificate 2024

Policy Owner: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

Approving Body: Academic Board

Date Approved: 3 September 2026

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