UniMelb exclusion appeal: deadline, grounds and steps

Note the decision date and check the deadline

Read the original decision notice first and note its date. An appeal must be lodged within 20 University business days from the date of the original decision. That is University business days, not calendar days. The appeal is made using the online student appeals form.

Before you fill in the form, check that the matter is an appealable decision. The page says you can submit an appeal once you have established that the matter is an appealable decision, completed any required review or complaint steps, and have sufficient evidence to support your ground or grounds. If your decision letter refers to a review or complaint step, read that part carefully. If you are unsure whether you have completed it, ask UMSU Advocacy Service, the free help listed for this university.

The pages we read do not state how long the University takes to decide an appeal after the form is submitted. They also do not state a separate time limit for asking UMSU Advocacy Service for help. Confirm those points with the service or the contact named in your decision letter.

Check whether your reason fits a ground

You cannot appeal simply because you are dissatisfied with the decision. The grounds are limited. They are:

• a procedural irregularity, including not receiving a fair hearing;
• new information that could not reasonably have been provided at the time of the original decision and would probably have affected the decision or penalty;
• a manifestly wrong decision;
• a penalty that was manifestly excessive, inappropriate or not available in the circumstances.

Failure to read and act upon a notice or correspondence sent to your University email account is not grounds for an appeal. If your reason is that you missed an email, the page does not list that as a ground.

Match your appeal to the ground or grounds that apply. The page says a well-structured, evidence-based appeal that directly addresses the grounds is the right approach. Use true evidence only. Keep copies of what you submit and any material you rely on.

Put the notice of appeal together

The notice of appeal must describe the decision being appealed clearly, state the ground or grounds, summarise the basis for each ground, attach the notice of the original decision, and include any relevant material you wish to rely on. Check each of those points against your draft before you submit. If a document is not relevant to a ground, leave it out or ask UMSU Advocacy Service whether it belongs.

Submit the online student appeals form

Submit the appeal using the online student appeals form. Keep a copy of the completed form and attachments. The pages we read do not state a separate time limit for adding evidence after you lodge the form, so do not assume you can add it later. Confirm that with UMSU Advocacy Service or the contact named in your decision letter.

If the decision goes against you

Read the outcome carefully. The page says that after University internal review and appeal processes are exhausted, you may choose to seek an external review of the University's decision, including by complaint to the Victorian Ombudsman or the National Student Ombudsman. The pages we read do not state a time limit for that external step. Ask UMSU Advocacy Service where to confirm it.