• Students > Support > Student appeals

    Student appeals

    What is the University Appeals Committee?

    The University Appeals Committee is a panel of senior staff who meet to consider and decide appeals relating to decisions or outcomes about the following matters:

    Submitting an appeal application

    You have 20 working days from the date of your outcome email to lodge your appeal application. Details of how to lodge your appeal will be noted in your outcome email as well as below. Please read your outcome email carefully to understand your appeal options.

    If you have missed the timeframe to lodge your appeal but you have extenuating circumstances, please contact the Appeals team to discuss your options.

    You may have grounds to submit an appeal if you can demonstrate specific circumstances for the following matters:

    Academic Progression Process

    If the University places a condition, restriction, or suspension on your enrolment or, you’re excluded from your course, you'll receive an email detailing the outcome decision and your options for appeal.

    You may have grounds for appeal if you can demonstrate that the decision/decision maker:

    • was unfair or unjust,
    • didn't act in line with the Academic Progress Statute 2010,
    • failed to take account of a relevant consideration or took account of an irrelevant consideration.

    It is important that when you complete your appeal application, you provide as much supporting documentation as you can to support your ground/s for appeal.

    If you need help with this, please reach out to the Appeals team. The independent and free Advocacy Service is also available to support you with your appeal application and the process.

    Lodge an Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Appeal

    Relevant policies

    -       Academic Progression Review Policy

    -       Graduate Research Show Cause Procedure

    Academic Misconduct (AM)

    If the University finds that you have engaged in academic misconduct, you'll receive an email detailing the outcome decision and any penalties applied, along with your options for appeal.

    You may have grounds for appeal if you can demonstrate:

    • the policy and procedure were not appropriately followed in the reaching of the determination or penalty, or
    • there was bias towards the student on the part of any individual involved with the findings, or
    • more evidence has become available that was not available to decision-makers at the time.

    It is important that when you complete your appeal application, you provide as much supporting documentation as you can to support your ground/s for appeal.

    If you need help with this, please reach out to the Appeals team. The independent and free Advocacy Service is also available to support you with your appeal application and the process.

    To lodge an appeal application, please review your outcome letter and follow the link provided. If you are struggling with the link, please contact the Appeals team.

    Relevant policies

    -       Student Academic Misconduct Policy

    General Misconduct (GM)

    If the University finds that you have engaged in general misconduct, you'll receive an email to your student email account detailing the decision that has been made and that includes information about your options for appeal.

    You may have grounds for appeal if you can demonstrate:

    • The finding was based on flawed or incorrect information,
    • the decision was not made in line with the General Misconduct Statute 2009,
    • the penalty imposed is too severe

    It is important that when you complete your appeal application, you provide as much supporting documentation as you can to support your ground/s for appeal.

    If you need help with this, please reach out to the Appeals team. The independent and free Advocacy Service is also available to support you with your appeal application and the process.

    To lodge an appeal application, please review your outcome letter and follow the link provided. If you are struggling with the link, please contact the Appeals team.

    Relevant policies

    -       Student Behaviours Policy

    -       Student Conduct Management Policy

    -       Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities

    -       Sexual Harm Prevention and Response Policy

    -       Complex Conduct and Assessment and Management Policy

    -       Rules of Residence (accommodation residents only)

    International Students

    If you hold an international student visa, La Trobe University is obligated by law to report changes of your student status to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Any changes to your enrolment in your course, including leave of absence, restricted enrolment, suspension, or exclusion, may lead to the cancellation of your Australian visa.

    If you:

    • choose not to appeal, we'll lodge a report to the DHA 20 working days after the date of the outcome letter we send to you
    • choose to appeal, and if your appeal is unsuccessful, we'll lodge the report to the DHA 20 working days after the date of the letter informing you that your appeal was unsuccessful

    In the instance that you have had any changes to your enrolment applied, you must contact ASK La Trobe for support and assistance.

    Need help?

    If you have questions about the process or your application, you can contact ASK La Trobe or you can email the Appeals team.

    If you would like independent support in understanding the appeal process, the Advocacy team can provide free support for students. Advocates can assist with:

    • understanding your situation and discussing available options
    • understanding university policy and procedures
    • preparing written submissions/letters
    • attending hearings and meetings as a support person

    If you would like to speak with them directly, please visit the website for more information.

    Contact Advocacy

    Support available to you

    We understand that the appeals process can be stressful and your wellbeing is very important to the University. A range of support measures are available to you (including counselling and other wellbeing support). We encourage you to engage with the following services:

    • If you require immediate assistance, please call Campus Security on 03 9479 2222 (x2222 from University phones) or 000 (0 000 on University phones)
    • Connect with La Trobe’s Health and Wellbeing Services. This includes Safer Community, AccessAbility and Inclusion, Indigenous Health and Wellbeing, Financial Counselling, Student Legal services, Counselling and Mental health
    • Out of hours mental health and wellbeing support can be accessed anytime 24 hours a day by calling 1300 146 307 or texting 0488 884 100
    • For assistance with academic concerns, you can contact Ask La Trobe

    Further review or complaints

    The decision of the University Appeals Committee is the final decision of the University. Students who are dissatisfied with a decision made by the University Appeals Committee may choose to lodge a complaint with the Victorian Ombudsman. Students who have concerns about any aspect of the process followed or the way in which the Appeals Policy has been applied (as opposed to the decision or outcome) may lodge a complaint with the University Ombudsman.