Deakin show cause: review deadline and what to submit
Rule checked against Deakin University's own pages on .
You have 10 working days from the date of notification of the proposed actions to lodge a review application with your Faculty. Use the approved form by email or the approved online method, and include a written submission with any supporting documents and a certified translation for documents not in English. First, read the notification and note that date, because the 10 working days start then.
- What triggers it
- A student has made unsatisfactory academic progress if they fail 50% or more of their enrolled credit points in each of the last two active study periods, or meet another listed condition such as failing a compulsory unit for the second time.[1]
- Time to respond
- A review application must be lodged within 10 working days of the date of notification of the proposed actions.[1]
- What to submit
- The review application uses the approved form, with a written submission explaining the circumstances that affected academic performance and any supporting documents, with a certified translation if not in English.[1]
- Possible outcomes
- Outcomes can include conditions on enrolment or academic performance, such as requiring a student to pass certain units, limiting the units they can take, specifying which units they can take, or requiring a transfer to another course. Exclusion is also an outcome.[1]
- Length of exclusion
- For unsatisfactory academic progress, exclusion is a termination of enrolment for a specified period of up to one year, beginning on the first day of the study period in which the decision to exclude is taken.[1]
- Time limit to appeal
- An appeal must be lodged in writing within 20 working days of being notified of the decision.[1]
Your first step is to check the notice and its date
Deakin's pages say a review application must be lodged within 10 working days of the date of notification of the proposed actions. The clock starts on the date of notification. It does not start when you first read the email, and the limit uses working days. Read the notice you received and keep a copy. The pages we read also say unsatisfactory academic progress includes failing 50% or more of your enrolled credit points in each of the last two active study periods, or meeting another listed condition, such as failing a compulsory unit for the second time. The review is your chance to respond to the proposed actions.
If you cannot lodge within the normal timeframe, the Faculty may agree to accept a late review application where exceptional circumstances outside your control prevented you from applying. The pages we read say failure to thoroughly check email is not an exceptional circumstance. Do not assume a late application will be accepted.
What to send with the review application
Use the approved form and lodge it by email or the approved online method with your Faculty. Send it with a written submission. The pages we read say the submission should explain:
- the circumstances that affected your academic performance, with any supporting documents
- any action or actions you have taken or plan to take to address those factors
- any action or actions you believe would be more appropriate for your circumstances.
If a supporting document is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a certified translation. Keep copies of the form, submission and documents you send. The process is cleaner when your account is clear and the documents are true. Do not invent or exaggerate a reason, and do not alter a document. If you use evidence, it must be true evidence.
You can contact DUSA Student Advocacy and Support Service for help with the process. You can ask them to explain what the form asks for.
What can happen after the review
The pages we read list outcomes that can include conditions on your enrolment or academic performance. These can require you to pass certain units, limit the number of units you can take in the next study period, specify which units you can take, or require you to transfer into another course if you wish to remain enrolled. Exclusion is also an outcome. For unsatisfactory academic progress, exclusion is a termination of enrolment for a specified period of up to one year, beginning on the first day of the study period in which the decision to exclude is taken.
Follow any instructions in your notice. If a step is unclear, ask your Faculty or DUSA Student Advocacy and Support Service. Keep a copy of every message you receive.
If the decision goes against you
If you are notified of a decision you want to appeal, the pages we read say the appeal must be lodged in writing within 20 working days of being notified of the decision. That deadline also uses working days. Read the decision notice carefully and keep a copy. Contact DUSA Student Advocacy and Support Service for help understanding the appeal process.
Free help at Deakin
Common questions
How long do I have to respond to a Deakin show cause notice?
The review application must be lodged within 10 working days of the date of notification of the proposed actions. The limit uses working days and starts on the date of notification.
What do I need to send with the review application?
Use the approved form and lodge it by email or the approved online method with your Faculty. Include a written submission explaining the circumstances, any supporting documents, any actions taken or planned, and any actions you believe are more appropriate. If a document is not in English, it must have a certified translation.
Can I apply late?
The Faculty may agree to accept a late review application where exceptional circumstances outside your control prevented you from applying within the normal timeframe. Failure to thoroughly check email is not an exceptional circumstance.
What happens if I am excluded?
Exclusion is a termination of enrolment for a specified period of up to one year, beginning on the first day of the study period in which the decision to exclude is taken. An appeal must be lodged in writing within 20 working days of being notified of the decision.
Sources
- Academic Progress Policy / Deakin Policy Library, Deakin University. Checked 3 November 2026.