Macquarie census dates 2026: withdraw without penalty or fees

The census date is the last date you can withdraw from a unit without incurring any academic penalty or financial liability for that unit. For 2026 at North Ryde, Macquarie lists 20 March 2026 for Session 1, 21 August 2026 for Session 2 and 24 December 2026 for Session 3. Check that your unit is one of those before you rely on the date.

Check your own unit first

1. Find the unit and study period on your own enrolment details.
2. Compare them with the 2026 North Ryde Session 1, Session 2 and Session 3 dates above.
3. If your unit is not one of those, do not assume one of the dates applies. The pages we read do not give census dates for other campuses or other study periods. Confirm your own date with the university or Student Advocacy, which is listed under Free help at this university.

The date is attached to the unit. A session label alone may not tell you everything you need, particularly if your enrolment details show a different campus or study period. The pages we read are specific about North Ryde and the three sessions listed.

What changes on the census date

On or before the census date, you can withdraw from the unit without incurring any academic penalty or financial liability for that unit. If you withdraw after the census date but before the last withdrawal date for the study period, the unit is recorded as a W grade on your record. The pages we read do not state the last withdrawal date for the study period. They also do not state what happens if you withdraw after that later date. If you are considering withdrawing after census, ask the university to confirm the last withdrawal date for your study period and how the W grade will appear on your record.

Keep a copy of what you send

Keep a copy of your enrolment details, the date that applies to your unit, and any message you send to the university or Student Advocacy. If you use the university's withdrawal process, keep the confirmation you receive. These records do not change the rule, but they make it easier to show what you did and when. If you ask the university to confirm your census date, put the question in writing and keep the reply. If you are asking about a withdrawal after census, ask for the last withdrawal date in the same message, because the facts list does not give it. Do not alter or backdate any document. Use the real date and the real reason for your request.

If you are already past the date

If the census date for your unit has passed, the fact says a withdrawal after census but before the last withdrawal date for the study period is recorded as a W grade. The pages we read do not give the last withdrawal date, so you need to confirm whether you are still before it. Ask the university or Student Advocacy to tell you the last withdrawal date for your study period and what the W grade means for your enrolment. If you have received a letter or notice about your enrolment, read it carefully and keep a copy. The facts list does not state a separate appeal or penalty process for this situation, so the pages we read cannot tell you what to do beyond confirming your date and your record with the university.

What to ask in one message

When you contact the university or Student Advocacy, ask these questions in plain terms:

• Which census date applies to my unit?
• Is my unit covered by the 2026 North Ryde Session 1, Session 2 or Session 3 dates?
• If it is not, what date applies to my unit?
• If I withdraw after census, what is the last withdrawal date for my study period?
• What will appear on my record if I withdraw now?

You do not need to write a long case. Give the unit details, your question, and the date you are asking about. Keep the reply. If you are not sure which question applies, start with the first one and ask them to point you to the correct date for your unit. Student Advocacy is listed under Free help at this university if you want someone to help you read the reply.