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Deferred assessments

Students applying for deferred Mid-semester or Final Exams (Timed Assessments) * must lodge their application with Student Assist before the exam starts or within two (2) business days following the day of the scheduled exam.

Application Form

Refer to: Assessment Policy and Assessment Procedure

* Timed Assessments are Mid-Semester and End of Semester Exams.

Mid-semester Exams are scheduled in Weeks 6-8 and greater than 50 minutes in duration. 

End of Semester Exams are scheduled in Weeks 13-14 and are 2hrs15mins to 3hrs in duration.

Please note: For other interim assessments that are eligible to be deferred, you will be required to contact the relevant academic staff member from the faculty to apply.

A deferred exam may only be granted where you can demonstrate either:

  • An inability to sit, complete the original exam or perform at the minimum level of your demonstrated abilities, for medical or compassionate reasons; or
  • Unexpected and exceptional circumstances beyond your control

The following reasons would normally be considered acceptable grounds for deferring an exam:

  • Illness or medical reasons
  • Accident
  • Serious personal or emotional trauma (e.g. bereavement)
  • Events or sporting commitments at a state, national or international representative level
  • Pre-existing Religious commitments or obligations
  • Three scheduled assessments commencing within less than 24 consecutive hours

Approval will not be granted where it is reasonable to expect that the circumstances could have been avoided. The following reasons would be considered unacceptable grounds for deferring an exam:

  • Travel or holiday arrangements
  • Misreading the assessment timetable
  • A desire to spread assessment tasks to yield improved performance
  • Events and sporting commitments that are not at a state, national or international representative level
  • Social functions 
  • Applications received after the prescribed deadline
  • Where the student has already completed the examination

If an application is based on medical grounds, a student must submit supporting documentation completed by an AHPRA-registered Australian healthcare practitioner. 

Applications based on non-medical grounds must be accompanied by documentary evidence supporting the case plus a signed statutory declaration. Statutory declarations must declare the reason for the deferral and must be signed in the presence of an eligible witness. You can visit the Bond JP/Commissioner for Declaration service webpage for more information and assistance or download the Commonwealth Statutory Declaration form below.

You may seek advice from Student Assist to ensure you are providing the appropriate information for your application.

What happens when your application is received?