Compassionate or compelling circumstances are situations that are beyond a student's control, affecting their wellbeing and course progress in the current study period.
All claims must be evidenced with accompanying relevant official documentation.
If the document is in a language other than English, it must be translated into English by an accredited Translator or Interpreter, or an overseas notary department with a common seal.
Acceptable reasons and evidence may include, but are not limited to:
- serious illness or injury (Evidence: Detailed medical certificate outlining severity of illness)
- death of a close family member (parent, sibling, spouse, or child) (Evidence: Death certificate)
- involvement in a traumatic experience (e.g being a victim of, or witnessing, a serious crime or critical incident) (Evidence: Police report)
- political upheaval or natural disaster in home country requiring emergency travel (Evidence: Notification from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Airline Ticket)
- unavailability of pre-requisite units due to unusual course structure or provider default (Evidence: College email confirming unusual course structure or provider default)
- military service in home country (Evidence: Official notice from the Home Government department managing conscription)
- an academic progress decision resulting in an intervention strategy (Evidence: Academic Action plan and recommendation from the Student Advisor).
The supporting documentation for compassionate or compelling circumstances must be from an independent authority or source, and clearly indicate:
- what the compassionate/compelling circumstances were, and
- when they occurred, and
- how long they lasted (or are expected to), and
- the level of impact the circumstances have had (or are likely to have) on your studies.
Invalid reasons for an LOA application may include, but are not limited to:
- timetable clashes
- financial hardship
- retrospective LOA due to neglecting to enrol by the published deadlines
- dislike of the available unit(s) on offer, including major electives
- employment reasons
- failure of non-requisite units
- dislike of students or study group you are working with (group work)
- missing classes or not submitting assignments on time (for non-compassionate or compelling reasons)
- unavailability of elective units (you are expected to enrol in available elective units that form part of your study plan).