Appeal Against Assessment
Download a PDF file with this information here
If you are dissatisfied with a result or you believe that you should have received a pass mark for any piece of assessment, you have the right to appeal against your assessment result.
There is a time restriction when appealing against assessment, RMIT’s Appeals Against Assessment Procedure states:
The completed ‘Application for Appeal – Portfolio Appeals Committee’ form must be lodged with the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Portfolio no later than 20 working days after the date of official publication of the result.
This means that you must have completed the informal review process within the 20 day period.
It is best to deal with any problems as soon as you can, don’t leave it to the last moment.
What is an Appeal Against Assessment?
If you are dissatisfied with any result, you have the right to appeal against your assessment result. Assessment includes RMIT and external examinations; fieldwork; placements; assignments; tests; projects; presentations and so on. You can appeal against one assignment in a course or the final grade for any course.
Why Would I Appeal My Result?
You might decide to appeal your assessment result for many reasons including:
* the assessment criteria as stated on the Course Guide was not adhered to;
* you requested special consideration and it was not granted;
* you believe that your lecturer discriminated against you;
* you believe you were not given appropriate feedback or were given conflicting feedback.
* you believe that you have been assessed unfairly
* the assessment did not comply with University Policies on Assessment (i.e. an error in process has occurred).
* TAFE students can appeal where the criteria published in the course guide does not meet the requirements of the relevant training package or accredited course or,
If you are not sure if you have grounds for an appeal, ask your Student Liaison Officer.
Group Information Sessions
The Student Union runs group information sessions at the end of each semester at every campus. The best place to start preparing for your appeal is to book into a Group Information Session through a Student Liaison Officer.
The Informal Appeals Process
(Also called Assessment Review)
You are required to start by informally appealing your result and if you are not satisfied with the outcome of the informal process you can make a formal appeal. It is important to remember that you cannot begin the formal stage until the informal one is attempted.
International Students
The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) is the legal framework governing the responsibility of education providers to overseas students who come to Australia on a student visa in the higher and vocational education sectors. This basically means that you can get reported to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for unsatisfactory progress. Failing a course for a second time can count as unsatisfactory performance. Under the ESOS Act, if you are reported to DIAC it is very likely that your visa will be cancelled.
Recent changes to this Act mean that a deputy principal or department head can be reported for not providing acceptable standards of education and training for overseas students, but if you fail your course you should see your Student Rights Officer as soon as possible.
It is better to first attempt an appeal within RMIT than be recommended for exclusion or to go through a DIAC Tribunal hearing.
Documentation
It is very important to keep a record of all that you do or is said by others. You can use e-mail to confirm verbal agreements or when asking for feedback. Having evidence and a paper trail can help if the appeal becomes formal.
Focus on the Grounds and Outcomes
Throughout all stages of the appeals process, it is important to argue based on the grounds of appeal (outlined above) and remain focused on the specific outcome being sought. Appealing assessment is different to making a complaint. Your case and all supporting documentation should provide strong support for the outcome you seek.
TAFE, undergraduate and postgraduate students can, and should follow these stages. These steps also apply to the coursework components of Research programs. Through the Informal Process it is possible to have your grades changed or be granted a supplementary assessment.
Stage 1 – Review of Assessment Result – School Level
If you believe there is a discrepancy in your result and grounds exist, you must first seek a review of the result with the School that offered the course. Seek a review of the result with the Course/Program Coordinator with responsibility for that course. Where the Course/Program Coordinator is not available, you may seek a review by the Head of School. Go prepared: It is a good idea to think carefully about the problems you have with your mark. Think through the reasoning behind your appeal before you speak with your lecturer. Also, think about possible resolutions, that is, what you would like the lecturer to do about it. For example, you can ask for a reassessment, resubmission, or for supplementary work. If you are happy with their explanation you may decide to not go any further with your appeal. If your assessor is unavailable, unhelpful, or if you remain unsatisfied with the result you may then move to the next stage. Keep a record, as you may want to put these points in writing if the appeal becomes formal.
If you believe the outcome of the review has not resolved the issue and that the grounds still exist you are entitled to appeal to the Portfolio Appeals Committee.
Stage 2 – Appeal against assessment result to Portfolio Appeals Committee
The formal appeal process has recently been changed so there is one less level of formal appeal available to students. You must have attempted the informal process of review at school level before you start the formal appeal process.
If you are not happy with the outcome you may be entitled to appeal an assessment result at the Portfolio level at the Portfolio Appeals Committee (previously known as the Faculty Appeals Committee) within 20 working days of the publication of the result. Recent changes to policy have restricted PAC appeals to very narrow criteria. You must be able to prove that you have followed correct procedure without the issue being resolved, and believe that there are grounds for appeal.
The decision of the PAC is final UNLESS you can show evidence of a breach of University policy, regulation and procedure in the handling of your appeal.
TAFE students may have the right to seek a review by the Victorian Registrations and Qualifications Authority or the Office of Training and Tertiary Education Victoria if you believe the assessment did not meet the requirements of the course.
It is very important to be aware of deadlines and procedures so make sure you get a copy of the Appeal Against Assessment procedure from your Department or School Administration or from the Student Union.
Links to the relevant RMIT Academic Operating Procedures and to the Student Union are at the end of this leaflet.
Your Rights
1. You have the right to have an advocate, such as a Student Rights Officer (SRO) with you in meetings with your Department or School or you can ask the SRO to speak to your Department or School on your behalf.
2. You have the right to view your marked examination script or assessment. If you feel intimidated or are uncomfortable with talking to
your tutor or lecturer you can request a second staff member to be present or you can ask a Student Rights Officer to accompany you.
3. You have the right to receive the results of any assessment prior to the commencement of the next assessment period. This is important so that you know how you are progressing.
4. During the formal appeals hearings you have the right to engage the services of an interpreter if you feel it is necessary.
Getting Ready to go to a Meeting
You will need to organise the following things before attending a meeting about your assessment or lodging a formal appeal.
* Program or Course Guide
You should receive this at the first class of each course. Pay particular attention to the sections of your course guide that describe the assessment criteria for each of the assessment tasks and the percentage of the final mark that each task is worth, and due dates. Does the course guide detail any penalties for late submissions? What are the learning outcomes for the course? Is attendance part of the mark?
* Assessed work for the course or program
Take along any of the work you have been assessed on in that course, especially if it will help your case. If querying an exam remember you have a right to see the exam paper.
* Pen and Paper
Don’t forget to keep notes on the discussion, the suggested resolution and proceedings of any meeting. It can help you clarify what is decided, assist in later appeals or clear up any misunderstandings.
* A Friend or Support Person
Sometimes it can help to take a friend with you although this is not necessary. If you feel a little unsure about how to deal with the process a friend can give you more confidence.
Don’t Be Afraid
Remember you are not doing anything wrong. It is your right to appeal, so don’t be afraid to request meetings, ask questions and have decisions clarified.
Contact details for Student Support Services can be found at:
www.rmit.edu.au/ssg
Check out the HUB on your campus for locations and other general advice or directions:
www.rmit.edu.au/students/aboutthehub
RMIT Policies + Advice
There are a range of RMIT University policies relating to this topic including:
7.32.1.1 Assessment General:
7.32.10.1 Academic Progress Unsatisfactory
Performance (Higher Education):
7.32.1.3 Special Consideration in Assessment:
RMIT Assessment principals:
7.32.1.4 Pass by Compensation- Academic
These. can be accessed from http://www.rmit.edu.au/governance/policies under ‘Learning & Teaching’
Useful Contacts
The following details are for services based at the City Campus - students at other campuses should advise the person taking their call of their location.
RMIT Counselling Service
Personal problems, relationship issues, depression, grief and anxiety.
http://www.rmit.edu.au/counselling
Ph. 9925 4365
RMIT Health Service
www.rmit.edu.au/campusnurseservice
Ph. 9925 2297
RMIT Housing Advisory Unit
www.rmit.edu.au/housing
Ph. 9925 2963
RMIT Disability Liasion Unit
www.rmit.edu.au/disability
Ph. 9925 1089
Study and Learning Centre
Time management, exam preparation, maths and English support
www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre
Ph. 9925 3600
RMIT International Student Information and Support (ISIS)
www.rmit.edu.au/isis
Ph. 9925 2963
Also, check out the HUB on your campus for additional drop in times or
www.rmit.edu.au/students/services
Complaints
Student Complaints Liaison Officers (SCLO’s) are located in all Academic Portfolios, Departments, Schools and Groups
www.rmit.edu.au/academicregistrar/studentcomplaints
Disclaimer: The information on this website is a general guide only. RMIT is a very complex
environment, and there are often a number of different rules which apply.
For Additional Assistance drop into a Student Union Front Office to speak with a Student Liaison Officer:
City Higher Ed: Building 8, Level 3, ph. 9925 5004
Tivoli (Business): Building 108, Level 3, ph. 9925 5647
Carlton Campus: Building 57, Level 4, ph. 9925 4769
Brunswick: Building 514, Level 2, ph. 9925 9478
Bundoora students can book an appointment with a Student Rights Officer at Building 202, Level 2, ph. 9925 7226
Or send detailed information regarding your case to student.rights@rmit.edu.au
Any enquiries, call 9925 5004
If required, an appointment will be made for you with a Student Rights Officer
Has this information been helpful? Join the Student Union and join the fight to improve your rights!
*If you are downloading the pdf document and you don't have a pdf reader use the link below to download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.
