Appeals

If you want the University to review a decision or outcome that has directly impacted your studies, you can submit an appeal.

What is an appeal?

You may submit an appeal if you want the University to review a decision or outcome that has directly impacted your studies.

The types of outcomes you can appeal are listed below. International students can appeal additional University decisions (see International student appeals tab below).

How to submit an appeal

You need to complete and submit the correct form, with supporting documentation and evidence, by the stated deadline. See the tables below for more information.

Please ensure you read and understand the instructions on the relevant appeal form. Different forms may have different instructions, including grounds of appeal and submission deadlines.

General appeals

What do you want to appeal? How to submit an appeal Deadline

Final course result

To appeal the final grade you’ve been awarded for a course/subject at the end of semester/term.

Stage 1 – Request a review 
You must first contact your course coordinator or program manager to request a review of your grade against one or more of the grounds stated in Assessment Processes 7.3

If this doesn’t resolve your issue, you may submit an appeal.

Stage 2 – Appeal 
Complete and submit the Appeal against a final course assessment result form (PDF, 531KB) to the College Appeals Committee (ColAC).

Stage 1 – within 5 working days of the date of publication of the result (recommended timeframe)

Stage 2 – within 20 working days of the date of publication of the result.

A credit or recognition of prior learning (RPL) outcome 

To appeal a denied credit or RPL outcome.

Stage 1 – Request a review

You must first request a review from your school or college by replying to the outcome email. 

If this doesn’t resolve your issue, you may submit an appeal.

Stage 2 – Appeal

Complete and submit the Appeal against recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfer form (PDF, 529KB) to the College Appeals Committee (ColAC).

Stage 1 within 5 working days of receiving the application outcome email.

Stage 2 – within 20 working days of the date of the initial application outcome.

An outcome of a College Appeals Committee (ColAC) application

To appeal a decision made by the College Appeals Committee about: 

  • A final course result
  • A credit or recognition of prior learning outcome

You can only appeal where there's been a breach of University regulation, policy or process that had a significant impact on the outcome.

Complete and submit the Appeal against the outcome from a College Appeals Committee outcome form (PDF, 519KB) to the University Appeals Committee (UAC). Within 10 working days of the date of the appeal outcome.

A special consideration outcome

To appeal a denied outcome from your special consideration application.

Complete and submit the Appeal against a special consideration outcome form (PDF, 520KB) to the University Appeals Committee (UAC). Within 10 working days of the date of the outcome.

An equitable or alternative assessment arrangement outcome

To appeal a denied equitable or alternative assessment arrangement.

Complete and submit the Appeal against an equitable or alternative assessment arrangement outcome form (PDF, 541KB) to the University Appeals Committee (UAC). Within 10 working days of the date of the outcome.

Exclusion from your program due to unsatisfactory academic progress

To appeal your school’s decision to exclude you from your program due to unsatisfactory academic progress. 

Complete and submit the Appeal against exclusion form (PDF, 551KB) to the University Appeals Committee (UAC).

Within 20 working days of the date you received the notification to exclude.

Note that if appealing this decision, you must be currently enrolled or on an approved leave of absence in the relevant program.

A termination of a higher degree by research candidature

To appeal against the decision to terminate your HDR candidature.

Complete and submit the Appeal against termination of a higher degree by research (HDR) candidature form (PDF, 518KB) to the University Appeals Committee (UAC).

Within 20 working days of the date you received the notification to terminate.

Note that if appealing this decision, you must be currently enrolled or on an approved leave of absence in the relevant program.

A thesis/project examination in a higher degree by research (HDR) program outcome

For HDR students to appeal against a failed examination outcome.

You may only appeal where there has been a breach of University regulation, policy or process that had a significant impact on the outcome.

Complete and submit the Appeal against the outcome of a thesis/project examination form (PDF, 521KB) to the University Appeals Committee (UAC). Within 20 working days of the date the final course result was published.

Student misconduct decision

To appeal a student misconduct decision by a senior officer or the Student Conduct Board.

Important note: The purpose of this appeals process is not to provide an opportunity to re-hear the original matter, but rather to consider whether the rules surrounding the decision making process were followed, and/or that the decision considered relevant information, and was reasonable, proportionate, and appropriate in the circumstances. An appeal hearing is not automatically provided upon application, but granted only where eligibility requirements including specific grounds of appeal have been established.

Complete and submit the Appeal against a student misconduct decision form (PDF, 522KB) to the Student Conduct Appeals Committee (SCAC). Within 20 working days of the date of the outcome.

International student appeals

In addition to general appeals, international students can appeal the University decisions listed in the table below.​

You must remain enrolled and attend all classes until you receive the outcome of your appeal. RMIT will notify you of the outcome via your student email​ account. 

What do you want to appeal? How to submit an appeal Deadline

Leave of Absence outcome

To appeal the outcome of your Leave of Absence application.

Complete and submit the International student appeal form. Within 20 working days of the notice of RMIT's decision.

Requests for release (to transfer education provider)

To appeal the outcome of your request for release application. You must meet the eligibility criteria. 

Complete and submit the International student appeal form. Within 20 working days of the notice of RMIT's decision.

Attendance requirements

To appeal the intention to report you to the Department of Home Affairs for unsatisfactory attendance (VCE & foundation students only).

Complete and submit the International student appeal form. Within 20 working days of the notice of RMIT's decision.

Changing study duration

To appeal the decision to not extend the duration of your studies (eCoE extension request).

Complete and submit the International student appeal form. Within 20 working days of the notice of RMIT's decision.

Commencing student refunds

If you have not yet started studying at RMIT and want to appeal a refund outcome.

Complete the Commencing International Student Refund Appeal Form. Within 20 working days of the notice of RMIT's decision.

False documents and misleading information  

Providing RMIT with false documents is a crime under the Victorian Crimes Act 1958. This is fraud and will likely result in a student being expelled from the University. 

Fraud includes: 

  • creating (or allowing another person to create) and providing forged or falsified documents (both medical and non-medical) 
  • changing a supporting document provided by another person  
  • purchasing fraudulent documents from websites.  

If a student submits false or misleading information for any reason, they may: 

  • fail all or any part of an assessment task 
  • fail a course 
  • be suspended from their program 
  • be permanently expelled from RMIT.  

You must be aware of your obligations and responsibilities as an RMIT student under the RMIT Student Conduct Policy.

We know that studying can at times be stressful. There are services and staff at RMIT to help you throughout your program. Please always talk to someone if you are feeling overwhelmed – this can be your teacher, a peer supporter, RUSU, a welfare advisor or a staff member at Student Connect. Find your support.

Need help?

  • Read the appeal form carefully. Each form has information about your appeal and who to contact if you have questions.
  • RMIT offers free support and services to help you and provide advice throughout your studies.
  • You can seek independent advice, information and assistance with your appeal from RUSU’s Student Rights Service.
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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.