Medical documentation

Documentation requirements for accessing support through Accessibility.

To enable a full and accurate assessment of student support, services, and adjustments, students are required to provide recommendations from medical practitioners that describe the nature of their disability/medical condition, or personal circumstances and the extent to which this may impact their ability to undertake their studies.

This allows Accessibility to:

• Provide advice on the impact of disability/medical condition or personal circumstance in the tertiary education environment,
• Provide advice on the nature of the supports and adjustments that would minimise the impact of their condition or circumstance in the tertiary education,
• Assist with negotiations and advocacy with university staff,
• Ensure that all students are protected by our policies and disability discrimination legislation.

Medical documentation outlining your diagnosis, the impact, and the recommended adjustments to support you within your studies, must be provided to Accessibility for assessment.

Students are required to provide an assessment or written report verifying their condition by a suitably qualified health professional, such as Clinical, Educational, Neuropsychologist, Registered Psychologist, or Psychiatrist. If unsure, please contact Accessibility to check.

Please request your medical practitioner to complete our Health Practitioner Report (PDF, 154KB).

Age of documentation based on condition:

• For students with a temporary/episodic condition:
  • Documentation should be current identifying a specific timeframe which includes the registration period for support with Accessibility;
• For students with an ongoing condition:
  • Documentation should be less than two years old unless the condition is permanent and unlikely to change significantly with time; and
• For students with a diagnosis of a learning disability:
  • Documentation should be less than three years old if conducted during secondary school, and
  • less than five years old if conducted during tertiary studies or adulthood.

Please Note:

• Documents sent to the University Admissions Centre (UAC) or ANU Admissions Office with your university application are not forwarded to Accessibility.
• Documentation submitted to state educational Board of Studies (if you are a school leaver) or documents used by other educational institutions (if less than two years old), may be submitted for consideration.
• If your supporting documentation is provided by an overseas practitioner and not available in English, you'll need to provide a NAATI-accredited translated copy.
• If your documentation is not sufficient, we will contact you to advise you to submit additional evidence of your disability/medical condition or personal circumstances.