Late withdrawal due to special circumstances

You could not reasonably:

• undertake the necessary private study required, and/or attend sufficient lectures or tutorials and/or meet any compulsory participation requirements;
• complete the required assessments (including but not limited to examinations, assignments, tests and essays);
• apply for and engage with alternative study arrangements (such as a coursework extension via your Academic College that owns the applicable class(es), or arrangements under the Extenuating Circumstances Application, or registering for an Education Access Plan) that could have supported the successful completion of your course; and/or despite having such study arrangements in place, you could not achieve the course requirements;
• complete any other compulsory course requirements.

If you pass other courses or apply to withdraw from only some courses within the same teaching session in which you are applying for late withdrawal, you must provide a reasonable explanation in your personal statement as to why you were unable to meet course requirements for the specific course(s) you are applying to withdraw from.  

Your medical condition (such as illness, injury or a mental health condition) existed prior to the census date, continued past census date and deteriorated to the extent that you are unable to continue your studies OR your medical condition only became known after the census date and you could not continue your studies.

• Example 1: You contract an illness prior to the census date and are expected to make a quick recovery. Your illness continues past the census date and unexpectedly deteriorates to the extent that you are unable to continue with your studies.
• Example 2: Your medical condition only becomes apparent after the census date and the effects are sufficiently serious that it is impracticable for you to complete the course requirements and continue with your studies.
• Example 3: You experience an unforeseen exacerbation of a previously well-managed physical or mental health condition after the census date, and your condition deteriorates to the extent that you are unable to continue with your studies. 

Accepted documentation includes a certificate or report from a registered medical or health practitioner/professional (see Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) register of practitioners, or overseas equivalent where appropriate), such as a psychologist for mental health conditions, stating:  

• the date your medical condition began and/or unexpectedly worsened;
• the duration of the impact of the medical condition; 
• how your condition affected your ability to successfully complete the course requirements; and
• when it became apparent that you could not continue with your studies.

Due to unforeseen personal/family reasons (such as bereavement, caring responsibilities, being the victim of a crime or political upheaval) that are beyond your control, you are unable to continue with your studies. The circumstances must have existed prior to the census date, continued past census date and deteriorated to the extent that you are unable to continue your studies OR the circumstances only became known after the census date and you could not continue your studies.

• Example 1: A member of your family suffers from an ongoing, severe medical condition. After the census date their condition deteriorates to the extent that you are required to provide full-time care. As a result, you are unable to continue with your studies.
• Example 2: A member of your family or close friend dies after the census date, and you are affected to the extent that you are unable to continue with your studies.

Depending on the circumstances, accepted documentation includes a certificate or report from a registered medical or health practitioner/professional (see Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) register of practitioners, or overseas equivalent where appropriate), and/or a statement from a qualified and registered counsellor or psychologist, and/or other independent documentation stating:

• the date your personal circumstance began and/or unexpectedly worsened;
• the duration of the impact of the circumstances;
• how your circumstance affected your ability to successfully complete the course requirements; and
• when it became apparent you could not continue your studies.

In the case of a family member or close friend passing away, supporting evidence should include a death certificate, or other official government or medical documentation. You must also provide evidence demonstrating your relationship to the person who passed away, for example through birth, marriage and/or death certificates. If obtaining this documentation is difficult or not culturally appropriate, please contact the Academic Standards and Quality Office. You may also consider obtaining a letter from a medical or mental health professional who can attest to the impact your circumstances had on your health or wellbeing.

In circumstances where you are experiencing trauma (such as gender-based violence, being the victim of a crime or a serious accident), supporting evidence may also include police reports. The report should confirm the occurrence and date(s) of the incident/trauma.

Your employment status or employment arrangements change unexpectedly due to circumstances beyond your control and you are unable to complete your studies. 

• Example 1: You are a domestic student engaged in employment out of necessity and studying. Your employer unexpectedly increases your hours of employment and you are unable to object. As a result, you are unable to continue with your studies or complete your course requirements.
• Example 2: You are a domestic student engaged in employment out of necessity and studying. After the census date, your employer directs that you be transferred to a different state, and ANU does not offer an online option for your course(s). As a result, you are unable to continue with your studies or complete your course requirements. 

Accepted documentation includes a statement or letter from your employer stating: 

• your previous work hours and location;
• your current work hours and location; 
• when your work hours and/or location changed and when you were notified of this change; and
• the reason for changed hours and/or location.

Independent evidence must:

• be issued by a relevant independent authority, with which you have no personal relationship (i.e. independent documentation cannot be provided by a family member, partner, friend etc.) and must demonstrate a professional opinion. See information in the section about typical circumstances for information about accepted independent authorities. You may want to inform the authority that the documentation will be provided to the University in the context of your late withdrawal application; and
• include relevant contact information of the independent authority providing the documentation and registration/provider details (as appropriate) for verification purposes; and
• be in English, and be issued in Australia (see information below for exemptions in rare situations); and
• be clear, in focus, readable and in colour where possible; and
• be provided in an appropriate format accepted by the application portal: pdf, jpeg, or png files; 
• not be altered in any way; and
• attest to all three components of the special circumstances criteria. Where your application is submitted outside of the 12-month application timeframe, additional documentation is required to demonstrate that your circumstances prevented you from submitting your application within the 12-month timeframe.

You are not required to provide certified copies of documents during the initial application process. However, the University reserves the right to request original documentation subsequently. All documentation submitted in your application is subject to verification from the issuing authority. The provision of any fraudulent documentation may result in disciplinary action under the Discipline Rule, with penalties ranging from a reprimand to exclusion from the University. 

Documentation that is not accepted as independent evidence:

• Photographs, audio files or videos containing content that is distressing or graphic. This includes photos of injuries and acts of terrorism or war. Photographs, audio files or videos are generally not considered appropriate evidence as their authenticity cannot be verified.
• An Education Access Plan (EAP), including the application form and related Health Practitioner report, Mental Health Care Plan or Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA) forms cannot be used as standalone evidence for Late Withdrawal applications. These documents are a request and agreement regarding academic adjustments to enable you to complete your studies, not evidence of your circumstances or condition impeding your ability to complete a course. 
• Documentation detailing only self-reported effects of your circumstances that does not provide a professional opinion, for example a doctor’s certificate that only lists symptoms as reported by that patient and does not provide the medical professional’s opinion.  While a medical professional’s opinion must be provided, a medical diagnosis is not required.
• A statutory declaration or affidavit outlining your circumstances. 
• Statements, certificates or support letters from non-diagnostic support services, such as ANU Counselling, and appointment attendance letters. These can provide important context to your circumstances but are not accepted as standalone independent evidence.
• Certificates provided from online consultations (such as Updoc), where no further evidence of face-to-face (in person) consultations or pre-existing doctor-patient relationships is provided (this does not apply to appropriate tele-health consultations). 

Independent supporting documentation should be issued in your country of residence, that is usually in Australia, including if you are an international student.

Documentation issued outside of Australia is only accepted in rare cases (such as where you temporarily reside overseas as part of a student exchange or study abroad program, or as additional context to your circumstances where your main evidence is issued in Australia) and, in addition to the requirements outlined above:

• may need to be accompanied by evidence of your travel, such as flight tickets, exchange agreements (as appropriate); and
• may need to meet additional requirements for verification purposes, such as additional documentation issued in Australia confirming your circumstances; and
• must be accompanied by an official translation as per the University’s requirements where the documentation is not issued in English. You must submit both copies of the original documentation and the official English translation.
• should be discussed with the Academic Standards and Quality Office (ASQO) prior to submission of your application (see contact details in the ‘Contact Information’ section below). 

• International students have OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) which may help cover costs of medical treatments in Australia.