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, 525KB) 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.	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.

Contacts and help

Your appeal form

Each form has lots of information about your appeal and who to contact if you have any questions.

Student support services

RMIT offers free support and services for advice and help on a range of matters.

RUSU – RMIT University Student Union

You can seek independent advice, information and assistance with your complaint from RUSU’s Student Rights Service.