Academic Appeals Procedures

You can appeal against a decision made under the following policies:

• Admissions Policy;
• Credit for Prior Learning Policy;
• Program Transfer Policy;
• Doctor of Medicine by Publication Policy;
• Doctor of Philosophy by Publication Policy;
• Doctorate Policy;
• Dual Award and Joint Research Higher Degrees Policy;
• Honours in Bachelor Awards Policy;
• Research Masters (Honours) Policy;
• Research Higher Degree and Research Training Program Scholarship Policy;
• Review of Grade Policy;
• Disruption to Studies Policy.

You may also submit an appeal for other policies not listed above, where no separate appeals process is specified.

You can submit an appeal by emailing StudentSenateAppeals@westernsydney.edu.au with the Student Appeal Form (opens in a new window) and supporting evidence. The appeal form is a fillable PDF to fill out and complete all relevant sections before submitting. Your appeal must be submitted within 20 business days of the receiving the decision you are appealing against.

Once we have received enough information and documentation from you to support your appeal, your application will be assessed by the Chair of Academic Senate, or nominee, and appeals that establish valid grounds as stipulated in clause (11) of the Academic Appeals Procedures will be accepted and referred for consideration by the Committee within ten (10) working days of that decision.

Where the Chair determines that the application has failed to establish valid grounds, a second independent review is undertaken before the appeal is dismissed (unsuccessful). If there is a varying outcome, the appeal will be accepted for consideration by the Academic Appeals and Integrity Committee.

The Committee will then determine if your appeal is upheld (successful) or dismissed (unsuccessful) and advise you of the outcome.

Please allow up to 6 weeks for the resolution of your appeal. The University understands that this can be a stressful process and will endeavour to facilitate an outcome of your appeal as soon as possible, while ensuring due process is followed.

If the Committee upholds the appeal, then it will either:

1. substitute its own findings, and, if applicable, set aside or vary any decision previously made; or
2. if it decides that the original finding or decision regarding the student should not be set aside or varied, despite allowing the appeal, confirm that finding or outcome.

If the Committee dismisses an appeal, then the original finding will stand. The Committee’s decision is final, and there is no further avenue of internal appeal available in relation to the same matter/issue. (Clause 40 of the Academic Appeals Procedures).

The Welfare Service can provide free and confidential assistance to navigate university processes including appeals. Contact the Welfare Service via WesternNow or 1300 668 370 (option 4 then option 1) to book an appointment.

The University’s Counselling service can provide free and confidential support to help you overcome any barriers that may affect your study.