RMIT special consideration: how to apply and by when

Special consideration at RMIT is for unexpected circumstances outside your control. RMIT gives examples such as unexpected short-term ill health and unavoidable family, work, cultural or religious commitments.

Apply within five working days, or before the assessment if you can

The normal limit is five working days after the assessment date. Apply in advance where possible. An application lodged more than five working days after the due date is not considered unless you give compelling or compassionate reasons and evidence with the application.

The first thing to do is read your own RMIT letter or assessment page. It may give a route, a date or an outcome condition that applies to you. Then use the steps below.

1. Check your application route. Most students apply online through the RMIT application link. Some cases, such as HDR research components, go by email or another route.
2. Submit the application with a personal statement and any supporting documents you have. A personal statement alone is not sufficient.
3. If your documents are not ready, submit the application anyway. You then have five working days after submitting to upload your supporting documents.
4. Keep copies of what you submit and of any message you receive from RMIT.

Use the route RMIT gives you

Most students use the online RMIT application link. If your case is an exception, use the email or other route RMIT gives you rather than guessing. The RMIT page recommends gathering supporting documents as soon as possible in case there are delays in obtaining them. You can apply without all documents ready, but the five-working-day upload period still applies after you submit.

If RMIT tells you your application is incomplete, it gives you five working days to submit the missing information or documentary evidence. Check any message carefully and send only true information and documents.

Put true evidence with the application

RMIT requires formal and independent supporting documents that can be verified. A personal statement alone is not sufficient. Your evidence needs to show the unexpected circumstances outside your control and their impact on your performance in the assessment task. The evidence supporting the application applies to the dates for which you seek special consideration.

Use true evidence only. Do not alter a document or present circumstances you did not have. Keep copies of what you submit. The pages we read set the document standard but do not list every document RMIT will accept for every situation. Check the RMIT special consideration page or your letter for the document requirements that apply to you.

What RMIT can decide and when

RMIT determines one of these outcomes: an equivalent assessment, an extension of time exceeding seven calendar days, a deferred assessment, other arrangements, a late course withdrawal without academic penalty, or denial, cancellation or withdrawal of the application. Where an equivalent assessment is granted, the course coordinator decides its form.

Complete applications with supporting documentation and evidence are considered and responded to within 10 working days. If the application is denied, RMIT gives the reasons in writing. If an outcome requires you to contact the course coordinator by a given date, do so by that date; otherwise the outcome may be deemed to have lapsed.

If you need a short extension or need to appeal

If your circumstance is unforeseen and short-term and you need up to one week (seven calendar days) after the due date, an extension can be approved. The application goes to the school/industry cluster at least one working day before the due date. The school/industry cluster notifies you of the outcome within two working days of the application being submitted. Check which route fits your assessment.

If special consideration is denied, you may appeal under the appeals process in the Assessment Processes and Part D 13 (42) University Appeals Committees of the Assessment, Academic Progress and Appeals Regulations. Read the written reasons first. You can talk to RUSU Student Rights Service, the free student advocate listed under Free help, about the decision and the appeal route.