Deakin academic appeal: 20 working days and what to do

The limit is 20 University working days

An appeal must be submitted to the University Appeals Committee within 20 University working days of being notified of the original decision. The count uses University working days rather than calendar days, and it runs from notification. Deakin's page also describes an application as late if it is made after 20 working days from the original decision you want to appeal. Late applications are only accepted where you provide supporting information showing how exceptional circumstances prevented you from applying by the deadline. The pages we read do not set out any other way to pause or extend the period, so if your dates are tight, check your position with the DUSA Student Advocacy and Support Service. If exceptional circumstances affected your ability to apply on time, put that information in the submission; do not wait to be asked for it.

Start with the decision letter and its date

Deakin's process starts with the letter. Make sure you have a copy of the original Committee outcome letter for the decision you are appealing, because the submission has to identify that decision and attach the letter. Read the reasons in it closely and note the date you were notified, since that is what the deadline is measured from. Keep the letter, your draft and anything you send in one place, and keep copies of everything you submit.

Pick a ground you can actually show

You have to establish one or more grounds on the balance of probabilities, meaning it is more probable than not. The grounds are: a misapplication of process that resulted in material disadvantage to you; a decision that was manifestly wrong; an outcome that was manifestly excessive, inappropriate or not available in the circumstances; or new evidence that was not known or available at the time of the original decision and could have affected the outcome. If the appeal is under the Higher Degrees by Research Assessment Procedure, only the misapplication of process ground is available. In the submission, name each ground you rely on and explain how it applies to your case; naming it alone does not show it. For new evidence, say when and how it became available. Do not add to, alter or backdate a document.

Send the submission through the online form

1. Check you have the decision you are appealing, with the decision letter attached.
2. Write out each ground and how it applies to your case.
3. Gather any other evidence you want considered.
4. Submit through the University's online submission form with the required documentation included, so that consideration of the appeal is not delayed.

You can consult the DUSA Student Advocacy and Support Service for support in submitting an appeal. Their advice is free and confidential, and they can go through possible grounds and what you could include. Ask them to read your statement before you send it.

What happens after you submit

A Chair or nominee reviews the submission first. If they find that one or more grounds are met, a meeting of the Committee is convened to hear the appeal. The hearing panel has at least three Committee members, and where the appeal concerns unsatisfactory academic progress in a research program or an examination outcome in a higher degree by research, at least one member besides the panel Chair has expertise in HDR supervision and graduate research training requirements. The Chair or nominee tells you the outcome of the review, the reasons, and any options for external review, where possible within 15 University working days. A decision by the Chair or nominee to dismiss an appeal is final. The procedure says your enrolment is maintained until the appeals process is completed, apart from the exceptions set out in clause 14; read that clause if enrolment is a concern for you.

If the final University decision goes against you, you can seek an external review of your appeal outcome by the National Student Ombudsman, which the university describes as a free and independent service for students.