Eligibility requirements for Special Consideration

Macquarie recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance.

If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

Find information on the application process below.

Applying for Special Consideration

Special Consideration applications must be made:

  • within five (5) working days for standard teaching periods (Session 1 and 2)  **
  • within five (5) working days for non-standard teaching periods (eg term, block)  **

of the assessment task due date using the application form in AskMQ. Lodging an application for Special Consideration does not guarantee that you will be granted an additional/alternative assessment. You should continue to work on your assessments and complete them as soon as possible.

** For definition and details on standard/non-standard teaching periods and time frames, please refer to the Policy/Procedure.

Click 'Special Consideration' on the SUBMIT menu on the left then fill in the required fields and attach your supporting evidence.

Supporting evidence

Supporting evidence can include:

  • original supporting documentation,  or
  • a medical certificate, or
  • a completed Professional Authority Form (PAF) [PDF 971KB]
  • appropriate documentary evidence for non-medical circumstances

The evidence must:

  • identify the circumstances
  • include dates and/or the length of the circumstances
  • explain the severity and impact of the circumstances
  • clearly describe how the circumstances have adversely affected your capacity for effective study to which an assessment relates
  • include the date(s) on which you were seen by the professional providing the evidence

Applications for Special Consideration may be refused if:

  • not submitted in the manner and timeframe required
  • you have not complied with all other mandatory requirements for successful completion of the unit
  • they are not supported by appropriate documentary evidence

Supporting evidence for serious circumstances

Short-term illness
  • Medical Certificate; or
  • Professional Authority Form
Hardship or trauma
  • Statutory Declaration; or
  • Medical Certificate; or
  • Professional Authority Form – stating how the student was affected; or
  • Official letter from relevant source/authority
Death of a relative/close friend
  • Statutory Declaration – stating the relationship to the student; or
  • Medical Certificate; or
  • Professional Authority Form - stating how the student was affected; or
  • Death Notice/Certificate
Unavoidable commitments
  • Wedding invitations accompanied by Statutory Declaration; or
  • Letter from religious leader/Elder; or
  • Letter from employer – stating why the student cannot be released from the unexpected work commitments; or
  • Letter from doctor/medical certificate; or
  • Letter confirming student’s attendance to Jury Duty/court date
Exacerbation of ongoing illness
  • Medical Certificate; or
  • Professional Authority Form – supporting exacerbation
Elite athlete or performer commitments
  • Official letter from the Macquarie Elite Athlete Program supporting increased training commitments/ competition
Army Reservists/SES commitments and Volunteer Firefighters
  • An official training notice from organiser explaining why attendance is required; or
  • Statutory Declaration

Special consideration application outcome

The University will aim to let you know the outcome of your application via your student email address within 5 working days of receipt of the application and all necessary supporting evidence.

After grant of special consideration

If your Special Consideration application is accepted, your Unit Convenor will deem what is most suitable for you and may offer you one of the following:

  • an additional assessment to assess your performance
  • a supplementary examination
  • an extension to a deadline for an assessment
  • an aggregated/average mark

In certain circumstances, the outcome of a Special Consideration application may be to recommend the student apply to Withdraw Without Academic Penalty. The student must determine whether to apply to Withdraw without Academic Penalty or accept the outcome where no alternate assessment can be provided.

If you have any questions or require assistance, contact your Faculty Student Administration Centre.

Ongoing/long-term circumstances

You may already be registered with Student Wellbeing due to ongoing/long-term circumstances such as

  • chronic illness/disability
  • carer status

If you have ongoing or long term circumstances and you are not registered with Student Wellbeing, you should contact them to seek support. They are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm (excluding public holidays).

Exams and in-class tests

Macquarie operates under a ‘Fit to Sit’ model, where, in sitting an examination or in-class test, you are declaring you are fit to do so. However, you may be taken ill during the assessment (in the case of an examination or test) or may not have been fit to make reasonable judgement on your fitness at the time. In these cases, you must advise the examination supervisor who will record the case on the Examination Room Report Form in order for you to be able to apply for Special Consideration.

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