Progression Show Cause

Show Cause

If you have been identified for Conditional Enrolment or Exclusion from study, you will be notified in MySR (displayed in a notification box in the top right corner). Your first step after receiving notification will be to decide if you want to submit a Show Cause application as to why you should not be placed on Conditional Enrolment or Excluded.

Read the full Progression policy here. All information should be read in conjunction with the Progression policy. The definitions of misadventure and extenuating circumstances as grounds for appeal are available in the Disruption to Studies policy .

What are the stages of progression?
The stages of progression can be found on the Academic Progression webpage.
What is suspension?
One of the outcomes of the Show Cause for Exclusion can be Suspension. This means that enrolment at the University is suspended for a specified period of time and there is an automatic right to re-enrol in the original program or a program that the University regards as being equivalent, at the end of the Suspension period.
What is exclusion?
A progression outcome where a student’s enrolment is cancelled for 12 months. This means that the student is unable to continue in their program, transfer to another program or undertake non-award study, and access to all WSU systems, such as student email account, will cease. Students must apply for re-admission to the University through the normal channels.
How and when to Show Cause

You will be notified in MySR of your progression outcome. If the outcome is Conditional Enrolment or Exclusion, click on the link to submit a Show Cause application. An application will be required to explain why the outcome should not be applied on the following ground:

  1. Misadventure and extenuating circumstances, as defined under the Disruption to Studies Policy; or
  2. Procedural unfairness.

Show Cause applications should clearly state the grounds and must include appropriate supporting documentation and must include appropriate supporting documentation, as outlined on the Supporting Document webpage. All Show Cause supporting documents must in in PDF format and not exceed 5 MB.

You must submit your Show Cause application within the stipulated time frame outlined in your progression outcome notice, that is, within 20 working days of notification that the University will impose a Progression Outcome.To see how to submit your Show Cause application in MySR please visit the WesternNow Knowledge Article.

What questions are asked in the Show Cause Application?
  • Outline the circumstances that impacted your academic performance and led to you being notified of conditional enrolment/exclusion.
  • What was the length of time the above circumstances influenced your academic performance?
  • Did you apply for Disruption to Study provisions, Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty, Review of Grade or Deferred/Supplementary Exams during this time?
  • Have your circumstances improved/issues been resolved?
  • Outline the strategies you have implemented to improve your academic performance.
  • Do you agree to be contacted by the University’s Equity, Diversity and Wellbeing Unit?
  • Please provide any further comments you would like to make about your Show Cause.

You must also attach supporting documentation relevant to your circumstances to your Show Cause application. All Show Cause supporting documents must in in PDF format and not exceed 5 MB.

Please see the Supporting Documentation web page for information regarding acceptable documentary evidence to support your application.

Should I submit a Show Cause Application?

A Show Cause Application will be required to explain failing to meet the Progression Check on the grounds of:

  1. You experienced a Disruption to Studies Event, as defined under the Disruption to Studies Policy, or
  2. Lack of procedural fairness (refer Guidelines on Procedural Fairness and Good Decision-Making).

(Progression Policy, Clause 49)

Please note, Clause 10 of the Disruption to Studies Policy states that the following circumstances are not considered to be serious and unavoidable disruptions and therefore are not Disruption to Studies Events:

  1. misreading the Learning Guide or exam timetable
  2. failure to have the standard equipment and/or environment to sit an examination, including meeting all examination conditions, prior to examination commencement
  3. not being able to present suitable identification (e.g., Student ID, Drivers License or Passport) in response to a request from a University Officer or online proctor
  4. short-term minor illnesses or accidents
  5. unspecified health conditions or generalised symptoms of being unwell, tired or stressed, including stress from an assessment
  6. routine life and work commitments
  7. travel plans
  8. vehicle break down.
Where to find support in submitting a Show Cause Application.
The Student Welfare Service can also provide guidance with supporting documentation and information to include in your responses to the Show Cause questions. Book an appointment via 1300 668 370 (option 5) or email welfareservice@westernsydney.edu.au.
Can I edit or change my Show Cause Application?
No. Once submitted, Show Cause Applications cannot be recalled or edited. Please ensure that you include all the information and supporting documentation ready to be uploaded, when you submit.
Can I add more supporting documents after I have submitted?
No. Show Cause Applications cannot be recalled enabling students to add additional supporting documents. Please ensure that you have all your supporting documents ready, in PDF format, less than 5 MB, when you are submitting your Show Cause Application.
Do I have to include supporting documents with my Show Cause Application?

Yes. All Show Cause Applications must include independent supporting documentation as evidence of the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from meeting the Progression Rules because of experiencing a Disruption to Studies Event or lack of procedural fairness.

Please note: Show Cause applications without supporting documents are unlikely to be successful.

Can I submit a Progression Show Cause Application if I am waiting for supporting documents?

You can submit a Progression Show Cause Application even if you are waiting for supporting documents.

You need to provide a clear description and the due date of the expected supporting documentation. The panel will decide whether to assess the Progression Show Cause application with the details and documents provided (if any) or to pause the Progression Show Cause application until the supporting documents are received. If the panel decides to wait for the supporting documents, the Office of Governance Services will send you an email to your student email address advising you of this decision. Once received, you must email these supporting documents to studentprogressionappeals@westernsydney.edu.au by the due date provided in the Progression Show Cause Application. If the supporting documents are not received by the due date, your Progression Show Cause Application will be assessed with the details and supporting documents provided (if any).

Please note:

  1. If the panel decides to wait for the supporting documents, there will be a delay in the outcome of your Progression Show Cause Application.
  2. If you do not advise that you are waiting for supporting documents or the expected date provided has passed or state that you do not have any supporting documents, your application will be processed to the panel for review. No additional documents will be accepted as Show Cause applications cannot be edited or added to once submitted.
Can I draft my responses in MySR and then come back to submit my Show Cause Application?
No. A Show Cause Application form will only save once it has been submitted.
How long do I have to submit my Show Cause Application in MySR?
You have one hour to respond to all the questions and attach your supporting documents in MySR. You will be logged off and need to start your application from the start if you exceed the hour. If you have a large amount of information that you want to include in your application, please draft it in a word document and then copy and paste into the Show Cause Application fields. Please ensure you have your supporting documents readily available to be uploaded as you cannot add them after you have submitted your Show Cause Application.
How do I know if my application has been successfully submitted?
Students that have successfully submitted their Show Cause Application will received a confirmation email to their student email address. If you have not received a confirmation email, this means that your Show Cause Application has not been successfully submitted.
What is acceptable Supporting Documentation?

Please see the Supporting Documentation web page for information regarding acceptable documentary evidence to support your application.

Please note: A letter written by yourself, outlining your circumstances is not sufficient evidence. You must provide independent documentation that substantiates your claims. You will need to ensure that your supporting documentation is on official letterhead (if relevant) and signed and dated. Documents must be in English, and if not, supplied with a certified translation.

A Statutory Declaration may not be considered as sufficient evidence.

Medical certificates need to include:

  • The date your medical condition began or changed.
  • How your condition affected your ability to study, and
  • When it became apparent that you could not continue with your studies.

A medical certificate stating just "illness" or "medical condition" or "medical reason" may not be sufficient.

Can I email my Show Cause application and supporting evidence?
No. You will need to submit your Show Cause application and Supporting Documentation through MySR. Applications submitted outside of the system will not be considered.
Can Show Cause Applications be submitted for a progression outcome of At Risk or At Risk Improving?
Show Cause applications cannot be submitted for an ‘at risk’ notification as this is just advice that the progress is below the GPA threshold for satisfactory academic progress.
How long will it take to receive a Show Cause Application outcome?

The University will commence assessment of Show Cause applications within 10 working days of it being made and will finalise the outcome as soon as practicable. You will then be contacted via your student email regarding the outcome.

The Office of Student and University Planning will determine the enrolment status on a case-by-case basis should the matter not be resolved by the census date.

Can I study if my Show Cause Application is outstanding?
You can continue your studies until your Show Cause Application has been assessed. The Progression Panel makes every effort to review Show Cause applications as soon as practicable so that these can be finalised prior to census date, though it can take some time to finalise Show Cause Applications during these high-volume periods. This process is not able to be fast-tracked.
What happens if I receive a Show Cause Application outcome after Census?
Where a Show Cause application is finalised after the census date of the next term and the decision is that a Progression Outcome be imposed, the Progression Outcome will be imposed, and a student may be withdrawn from subjects without academic or financial penalty.
Can Show Cause Applications be appealed?

There is no internal avenue of appeal against Show Cause outcomes.

If you are alleging that Western Sydney University processes and/or policies have not been followed or adhered to, you can contact the Complaints Resolution Unit and/or the National Student Ombudsman, if you believe that the University has not properly followed its published policies and procedures.

Can I submit a Show Cause application after the deadline in the progression outcome email?

All Show Cause applications must be submitted by the deadline noted in the progression outcome email, unless there were extenuating circumstances that prevented you from submitting a Progression Show Cause application during the Progression Show Cause period. In these cases, you can submit a Late Show Cause Request, to studentprogressionappeals@westernsydney.edu.au. Your Late Show Cause Request needs to clearly explain the extenuating circumstances that prevented you from submitting a Progression Show Cause application during the Progression Show Cause period. You must include independent supporting documentation to your Late Show Cause Request. The Chair of Academic Senate will determine whether a Progression Show Cause application can be submitted for consideration.

The Chair of Academic Senate will determine whether a Progression Show Cause application can be submitted for consideration. If the Chair of Academic Senate accepts your Late Show Cause Request, you have 10 working days from the date of the Late Show Cause Acceptance email to submit your Progression Show Cause Application and supporting documentation to the Office of Governance Services. Progression Show Cause Applications and supporting documentation received after the 10 working days will not be considered.

Who can I speak to for visa advice?
If you are an international student, Conditional Enrolment and Exclusion may impact your student visa. The University cannot provide visa advice. We recommend that you contact the Department of Home Affairs or a registered Migration Agent.
What support is provided by the University?

A range of free services are available:

  • Student Support Services can help with: study, personal and IT support, and provide further information on a number of workshops, programs and online resources available.
  • Wellbeing Services can provide support for personal and financial hardship. To book a free and confidential appointment, phone 1300 668 370 (option 4 then option 1) or use the Wellbeing Enquiry Form.
  • International students can seek help and advice at International Student Support or book an appointment with the Student Welfare Service via 1300 668 370 (option 4 then option 1) or the Wellbeing Enquiry Form.
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