Extenuating Circumstances Application

The University supports coursework students where extenuating circumstances have impacted their learning experience.

Accepted grounds for an Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA) will in most instances be previously unknown and unavoidable incidents that have a demonstrable and significant impact on a student's ability to study or undertake an assessment item.  

When applying for an ECA the assessment task must be worth more than 20% or greater of the overall course mark. 

Grounds for ECA Adjustment

Grounds for an ECA adjustment are:

  • Medical: e.g. significant illness/injury and/or significant exacerbation of a condition registered in Education Access Plan (EAP);
  • Hardship: e.g. victim of significant crime including family and domestic violence; financial hardship; significant car accident or widespread public transport issues; significant broad spectrum IT issues; sudden, unavoidable primary caring responsibilities;
  • Compassionate: e.g. death/sudden serious illness of an immediate family member or close friend;
  • Elite: e.g. athlete registered with the ANU Elite Athlete Program or performer;
  • Duties: e.g. essential, military, emergency/volunteer emergency services;
  • Disaster: e.g. significant natural disaster/geo-political event;. flood; fire; pandemic; earthquake; tsunami; war; terrorism; cyber-attack;
  • Indigenous cultural duties: consistent with the ANU Reconciliation Action Plan.


    Adjustments from an ECA are:
     
  • Approved: altered assessment due date (except for take home examinations, where this is not a permitted outcome);
  • Approved: deferred examination;
  • Approved: alternative assessment;
  • Approved: modified assessment weighting;
  • Not Approved.

Assessment Extensions and Other Adjustments

Students must consider all three tests to determine if an ECA is applicable:

Test 1

 

Where an assessment task is worth less than 20% of the overall course mark the Course Convenor or nominee considers applications for assessment task extensions or adjustments. 

 

Students must apply via the published process for seeking extensions for the course (see Class Summary or Wattle for details), not via ECA.

 

Test 2
 

Where an assessment task is worth 20% or more of the overall course mark the Course Convenor or nominee considers applications for an assessment task extension or adjustment when both:

 

a. the extension period requested is less than 10 working days from the published due date in the class summary; and
 

b. the new due date falls before the return of the marked assessment, as specified in the class summary.

 

Students must apply via the published process for seeking extensions for the course (see Class Summary or Wattle for details), not via ECA.

Test 3

Where the assessment task is worth 20% or more of the overall course mark and:

a. the extension or adjustment is for 10 or more working days from the published due date in the class summary; and/or

b. the new due date falls on or after the return of the marked assessment, as specified in the class summary.

an ECA must be submitted. 

Please note: Students should disclose any and all previous extensions granted for the assessment item. This includes extensions granted by the Course Convener and/or College.

Students who are experiencing long-term illness or ongoing difficulties may contact Accessibility for further information about ongoing support. 

How to Apply for an ECA 

Applications are completed using the ECA eForm, via ISIS. A Student Quick Guide is available under Resources on this page.  Applications should be accompanied by independent supporting documentation. 

Supporting Documentation

Supporting documentation from any relevant independent person (or authority) must be scanned and included with the application, for example: 

  • documents/certificates from health or other professionals (a medical certificate is only valid if it attests to your incapacity at the time of the scheduled assessment);
  • letters of support from an ANU staff member; 
  • a police report;
  • a death certificate.

Where appropriate, medical certificates, letters of support and statements should include:  

  • the date your personal circumstance began or changed; and
  • how your circumstance affected your ability to study.

​All relevant supporting documentation must be attached to an application. Documentation lodged elsewhere on campus for other purposes will not be considered as part of an ECA. 

Where an incident occurs during a centrally invigilated examination an incident report may be generated.

The granting of assessment adjustment is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of the Registrar, the Associate Dean (Education), and/or their delegate. 

Requirements for independent supporting evidence

  • You must not submit photographs, audio files or videos with content that may be considered distressing or graphic. In addition, for any application where you are required to provide supporting evidence, photographs, audio files or videos are generally not considered appropriate evidence as their authenticity cannot be verified.
  • You are not required to provide certified copies of documents during the initial application process. However, the University reserves the right to require applicants to provide original documentation subsequently. Any document submitted may be audited and is subject to verification from the issuing body. Any fraudulent documentation identified will result in disciplinary action.
  • Documentation must be in English or an official translation must be provided. You should submit copies of the original documentation and the English translation of these documents.

Outcomes 

  • Outcomes from an ECA are limited to the following: 
     
    • Approved: altered assessment due date;
    • Approved: deferred examination; 
    • Approved: alternative assessment; 
    • Approved: modified assessment weighting;
    • Not Approved.
       
  • Please note, the adjusting of marks/grades for an assessment, examination or course is no longer a supported adjustment. 

    Students may not apply for more than one ECA for the same assessment task. Where a deferred examination is granted as a result of the ECA and the student experiences exacerbated or different extenuating circumstances at the scheduled date and time of the deferred examination, one final ECA may be considered.

The applicable legislation, policies and procedures are published on the right-hand side of this page. 

 

FAQs about Extenuating Circumstances Applications 

What do I do if I was ill and did not attend my examination?

If you have missed your examination due to illness, incapacity or misadventure then you should submit an ECA if the assessment task was worth 20% or more. An application form must be completed and lodged within five business days of the original date of the assessment.

How will I be notified about the outcome of my ECA?

Applications are considered by the University Registrar, Associate Dean (Education) and/or their delegates. Adjustments may or may not be applied. Please note that an ECA application does not mean that a change will be made to your assessment item. All outcomes will be notified to your student email account.

What can I do if my ECA is lodged later than five business days after the due date of the assessment task?

Applications will not be accepted after five business days unless serious illness, incapacity or misadventure prevents you from submitting the form within this period. Evidence addressing the cause of any delay must be provided with the application. 

Please see the Health, Safety & Wellbeing webpage for available support services.  

 

Apply for an ECA

Reference documents

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