Monitor your performance

The Annual Progress Report (APR) is a formal tool used by the University and its faculties to monitor and evaluate each research student's progress.

If you are a graduate research student enrolled in an MPhil, PhD or a combined PhD program (including Joint PhDs and Cotutelles), completing this report is a mandatory requirement for you. Master of Research (MRes) students are not required to complete a report.

The process provides an opportunity for you and your supervisor(s) to critically reflect on progress in your research program and skill development in the last 12 months. To highlight your achievements and identify any areas of additional support you might need, and plan for your intended research directions in the year ahead. This ensures the quality and timely completion of your research program.

The recommendation of progress made by the supervisor is reviewed by the Head of Department or Department Director of Research Training. A recommendation of satisfactory progress will enable the research degree enrolment and any scholarship funding to continue, subject to the expiry date.

All PhD and MPhil students are required to complete the APR including Cotutelles and Joint PhDs where this is a requirement of your individual candidature agreement.

You do not need to complete the Annual Progress Report (APR) if any of the following apply:

  • You enrolled after 01 July 2023.
  • You have been on a continuous Leave of Absence since 1 January 2023.
  • You submitted your thesis to the Graduate Research Academy (GRA) on or before 18 September 2023.
  • You notified the University of your complete withdrawal from your degree on or before 18 September 2023.
  • You are exempted by the terms of a Joint PhD program (please consult the GRA if you are unsure)

In accordance with the Higher Degree Research Variations to Candidature Policy, failure to complete the APR can also lead to cessation of enrolment.

If you are unable to submit by the due date or are unable to submit online, you must contact the GRA immediately.

The 2023 Annual Progress Report (APR) opens on 18 September 2023. It will remain open until 02 October 2023.

Before completing your APR, you should arrange a mutually convenient time with your Principal/Acting Supervisor to review your progress during the past year and to discuss the progression plan for work to be completed in the next twelve months.

The recommendation/outcomes of the 2023 APR align with Graduate Research Continuation Policy and Procedure.

The 2022 APR questions are available for review in both Microsoft Word [DOCX 47KB] and Adobe PDF [PDF 21KB] formats. They will be similar the 2023 APR, and the 2023 questions will be posted prior to opening.

Once open, to complete your report log into the 2023 Annual Progress Report using your Student ID to access the system. If you experience any difficulty with login issues, please contact the IT Service Desk on +61 (2) 9850 4357.

In some instances, you may be experiencing issues that you do not wish to include in your Annual Progress Report (APR) or discuss with either your supervisor(s) or faculty Associate Dean (Research Training and Performance). If this is the case, you can request a confidential appointment with the Graduate Research Academy’s Academic Director, Professor Jennifer Cornish; or the Graduate Research Academy’s Operations Director, Dr Louise Dwyer via gr.candidatesupport@mq.edu.au