Academic Appeals

Purpose

This policy and procedure is to clearly define the process for managing requests for a review of decisions - including assessment decisions – made by South Regional TAFE (SRT) or a third party providing services on SRT’s behalf.

Scope

This appeals policy applies to all students enrolled with South Regional TAFE and parents/guardians of enrolled students under the age of eighteen.

Policy

South Regional TAFE believes that a student who seeks an appeal has the right to raise the appeal and expect that every effort will be made to resolve it in accordance with this policy, without prejudice or fear of reprisal or victimisation.

The student has the right to present the appeal formally and in writing.

South Regional TAFE will manage all appeals fairly, equitably and efficiently as possible. SRT will encourage the parties to approach the appeal with an open mind and to resolve problems through discussion and conciliation. The decision-maker will be independent of the decision being reviewed (e.g. an assessor will not consider or decide an appeal being made against an assessment decision that he/she has made). The parties will be given the opportunity to formally present their case to the independent person. Any costs associated with a third party review will be advised, so that all parties are aware of any costs they made need to pay.

Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process of making and resolving complaints. SRT seeks to protect the rights and privacy of all involved and to facilitate the return to a comfortable and productive learning environment.

A copy of this policy is available to all students and staff via the SRT intranet and website, and is available in printed form upon request.

Grounds for an appeal

The grounds for appealing an assessment decision are:

  • The judgement was made incorrectly; and/or
  • The judgement was not in accordance with the Assessment Tool instructions

Procedure

The Academic Appeal Application procedure is explained to students at induction and at the commencement of study of a new unit or cluster of units.

Students may appeal their assessment within four weeks of the date of first publication of the results, i.e. the student’s Statement of Academic Record. Should an appeal be upheld, the appeal fee charged will be refunded. An Academic Appeal application form must be completed to appeal the assessment.

It is not possible to appeal the outcomes of a review once determined by the Director Training Services; however the college’s complaints procedure may be accessed at any stage throughout the process.

The following Academic Appeal Application work procedure indicates the steps necessary to process an appeal application. A fee of $25.00 per unit of competency must be paid in full at the time of the appeal application is submitted by the student. This fee will be refunded to the applicant if the appeal is successful and their result amended to “Competent”.

In special circumstances the fee may be waived by South Regional TAFE at the discretion of the Managing Director.

/ Lecturer, Campus Manager or administrative staff to explain process to student. Appeal application form sent to student, or collected from the relevant learning area.
Student to provide grounds for appeal, which are:
  • the judgement as to whether competence has been achieved and demonstrated was made incorrectly
  • the judgment was not made in accordance with the Assessment Tool Instructions
Cashier to record receipt details and forward papers to Planning Administration to register the appeal. Once registered, Planning Administration staff provide Campus Manager with the documentation.
Campus Manager to liaise with the applicable learning area to allocate an appropriately qualified assessor to review the academic appeal.
/ Independent assessor to uphold or decline the appeal application.
Campus Manager sends formal notification of the outcome of the Appeal Review to student. Notification to be in writing, including reasons for the decision.
Appeal form and copy of student notification forwarded to Planning Administration. If the academic appeal has been upheld, the result is amended and a refund processed.
If the appeal decision is queried by student, Planning administration will refer the application to the Director Training Services for review.
Director Training Services to liaise with the relevant Campus Manager and independent assessor to review the appeal application.
Formal notification of outcome of Academic Appeal Review is sent to student. Appeal papers forwarded to Planning Administration. If the academic appeal has been upheld the result is amended and a refund processed.

Version control

Approver/ Responsible board
Owner / Director Organisational Services
Dateapproved / 12/4/2016
Dateofnextreview / April 2017
Relatedpoliciesanddocuments / Academic Appeal application form
TIWA Academic Appeals policy
Related Standard/Clause from Standards for RTOs / 6
Key search words / Academic Appeals

Uncontrolled when printed

Academic Appeals Policy Date Issued: 12/4/2016Date Printed: 5 January 2019Page 1 of 3