USYD academic appeal: steps, deadlines and what to do first
Rule checked against The University of Sydney's own pages on .
Raise your concern with the original decision-maker first. Do that within 15 working days from when the academic decision was made; this informal stage is compulsory for all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students, except for decisions about academic dishonesty and exclusion. If it is not resolved, a faculty or Academic Panel review application is due within 20 working days of the informal outcome, the original academic decision, or the most recent decision about the original decision.
- Time limit to appeal
- Informal resolution must be requested within 15 working days from when the academic decision was made. A faculty or Academic Panel review application is due within 20 working days, and a Student Appeals Body appeal within 15 working days of the review outcome.[1]
- What to try first
- Attempt to resolve the concern with the original decision-maker first.[2]
- Grounds you can use
- Appeals to the Student Appeals Body are only on procedural grounds: the decision was not based on merit, was not procedurally fair or reasonable, or did not follow University policies or procedures.[3]
- Where to submit
- Appeals to the Student Appeals Body must be lodged with the Student Affairs Unit within 15 working days of the formal review decision.[3]
- If that fails
- If informal resolution does not resolve the concern, the next level is to apply for a review from the relevant faculty or administrative unit.[2]
- External review
- The pages name no external review body. After the Student Appeals Body stage, a student may be advised of the right to apply for further review by the Registrar.[4]
What to do first
If you think a result or a decision about your study is wrong, raise it with the person who made the decision. The university calls this informal resolution: discussing your concerns directly with the original decision-maker so you understand how the decision was made. Depending on your concern, you may need to submit a request online or contact the relevant staff member directly.
This stage is compulsory for all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students, except for decisions about academic dishonesty and exclusion. If you are disputing a decision about the termination of your candidature or the examination of your thesis, you are not required to apply for review by the faculty, and you can go straight to the Student Appeals Body.
- Read the notice of the decision and note the date the academic decision was made. That date starts the 15 working days.
- Ask the original decision-maker how the decision was made and explain why you think it is wrong.
- Keep a copy of everything you send and every reply you receive.
- If the concern is not resolved, apply for review by your faculty or the Academic Panel.
- If the review outcome still seems wrong, apply to the Student Appeals Body through the Student Affairs Unit.
For Higher Degree by Research students, the pages we read say to attempt informal resolution within 15 working days of receiving an academic decision.
Deadlines and what starts each one
All three time limits are counted in working days.
| Stage | Time limit | What starts the clock |
|---|---|---|
| Informal resolution with the original decision-maker | 15 working days | when the academic decision was made |
| Faculty or Academic Panel review | 20 working days | when you receive the informal outcome, the original academic decision, or the most recent decision about the original decision |
| Appeal to the Student Appeals Body | 15 working days | the formal review decision |
Check which date applies to you, because each clock starts at a different point. The pages we read do not state what happens if a deadline is missed. Confirm that with your faculty or the Student Affairs Unit.
What to put in your review application
Include everything you want the faculty or Academic Panel to consider: your reasons for disagreeing with the decision, and any documents or evidence that support your application. Evidence has to be genuine, so do not alter a document or present something that is not true.
Appeals to the Student Appeals Body are only on procedural grounds. That means the decision was not based on merit, was not procedurally fair or reasonable, or did not follow university policies or procedures. You cannot appeal to the SAB simply because you disagree with the faculty or Academic Panel outcome.
What happens after you apply
For a Student Appeals Body appeal, you will either attend a hearing or be advised that your appeal does not qualify for a hearing. If it does not qualify, the original decision made by the faculty or school, or the Academic Panel, remains in place.
If there is a hearing, the SAU Appeals team will contact you at least 10 working days before it to confirm the time, date and location, and ask you to attend. Five working days before the hearing you will receive a copy of the response from your faculty, school or Academic Panel.
The pages we read do not state how long the university takes to decide an application. Ask the office handling yours.
If the outcome goes against you
After the Student Appeals Body stage, you may be advised of a right to apply for further review by the Registrar. The pages we read name no external review body.
Some decisions cannot be appealed through this process: decisions made at the decision-maker's absolute discretion, simple extensions, and disciplinary decisions under the Student Discipline Rule. Graduating from a course also ends any future right to appeal.
Free help is listed for this university: the Students' Representative Council (SRC) and the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA). Read your own letter as well, because it sets out the decision you are dealing with.
Free help at USYD
- Students' Representative Council (SRC) Free.
- Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA) Free.
Common questions
How long do I have to appeal a USYD result?
You must discuss your concern with the original decision-maker within 15 working days from when the academic decision was made. A faculty or Academic Panel review application is due within 20 working days of the informal outcome, the original academic decision, or the most recent decision about the original decision.
Can I skip the informal stage and go to the Student Appeals Body?
You can go straight to the Student Appeals Body if you are disputing a decision about the termination of your candidature or the examination of your thesis. Otherwise the informal stage is compulsory for all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students, except for decisions about academic dishonesty and exclusion.
What can the Student Appeals Body consider?
Only procedural grounds: that the decision was not based on merit, was not procedurally fair or reasonable, or did not follow university policies or procedures. You lodge the appeal with the Student Affairs Unit within 15 working days of the formal review decision.
Which decisions cannot be appealed?
Decisions made at the decision-maker's absolute discretion, simple extensions, and disciplinary decisions under the Student Discipline Rule cannot be appealed through this process. Graduating from a course also ends any future right to appeal.
Sources
- Resolution with original decision-maker - The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Academic appeals - The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney. Checked 3 November 2026.
- University of Sydney (Academic Appeals) Rule - The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney. Checked 3 November 2026.
- Appeal to the Student Appeals Body (SAB) - The University of Sydney, The University of Sydney. Checked 3 November 2026.