• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Part A - Matters Subject to Appeal
• Part B - Grounds for Appeal
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Part C - Outcome of the Appeal
• Section 5 - Guidelines

The Research Higher Degree Appeals Policy has been retired effective 31 October 2018.  This policy has been replaced by an associated document, ‘Research Higher Degree Appeals Procedures’ which can be accessed via the “Associated Information” tab  in relevant research policies that it applies to in the Policy DDS.

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) This policy establishes the framework by which Research Higher Degree students can make appeals. It defines matters subject to appeal, the grounds for appeal and the procedures and outcomes.

Section 2 - Definitions

(2) Definitions for the purpose of this policy:

1. A research higher degree is a program of which at least two-thirds of the study must be undertaken as independent research.
2. The Dean is the Dean of a University School.
3. The Director, Research Institute is the Director of a University Research Institute (Institute).
4. The HDR Director is the relevant Director (e.g. Director, HDR or Director, Research and HDR) as determined by the Dean, or an equivalent role as determined by the Director, Research Institute.
5. The School or Research Institute (Institute) Research and Higher Degrees Committee is the relevant School Research and Higher Degrees Committee, or the equivalent committee for a University Institute as determined by the Director, Research Institute in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President, Research, Engagement, Development and International.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

Part A - Matters Subject to Appeal

(3) Research Higher Degree candidates may appeal against a decision:

1. Not to award a postgraduate research degree;
2. On termination of candidature;
3. On the awarding of Australian Scholarships with stipend and University Postgraduate Research Awards;
4. On the implementation of scholarship conditions.

Part B - Grounds for Appeal

(4) Appeals by candidates rejecting the academic assessment of the merit of their work are not permitted.

(5) Grievance matters arising prior to submission of a thesis and including matters relating to unsatisfactory supervision, inadequate facilities, disputes relating to candidate progress and other academic issues related to candidature are to be handled at School or Institute level through the grievance resolution process in the relevant Higher Degree Research policy.

(6) The grounds for appeal against a decision not to award a postgraduate research degree or not to allow resubmission of a thesis for re-examination are:

1. Procedural irregularities in the conduct of an examination;
2. Significant evidence of circumstances substantially affecting the student's performance of which the Research Studies Committee was not aware.

(7) The grounds for appeal against a decision to terminate a student's candidature are;

1. Procedural irregularities in the termination process;
2. Significant evidence of circumstances substantially affecting the student's performance of which the Research Studies Committee was not aware.

Section 4 - Procedures

(8) The student must make the appeal in writing to the Chair, Academic Senate within one month of the decision that is the subject of the appeal. The student must set out fully the grounds for appeal and provide documentary evidence in support of the appeal.

(9) The Chair, Academic Senate and one School or Institute HDR Director, other than from the student appellant's School or Institute, may determine that the appeal is not against a decision covered by this policy and / or does not accord with the grounds for appeal in Section 3 above, and that the appeal will not therefore be heard.

(10) Otherwise, the appeal will be referred to the Senate Academic Appeals and Integrity Committee within two weeks. The Chair, Academic Senate, or the Deputy Chair of Academic Senate, will chair the Academic Appeals and Integrity Committee. The Chair will select three other individuals to serve, from the following:

1. Academic Registrar, or nominee;
2. The Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research);
3. Director, Equity and Diversity, or nominee;
4. Deans of Schools and Directors of Research Institutes;
5. Student (from the students who are members of Academic Senate ).

(11) Persons who have participated in the assessment of the student's case, before the matter has come to the Academic Appeals and Integrity Committee, will be ineligible to sit as members of the Committee convened to hear an appeal by that student.

(12) Each time the Academic Appeals and Integrity Committee is convened, it will have at least one member of each gender.

(13) A quorum for the Academic Appeals and Integrity Committee will be three members, two of whom must be academic.

(14) The Academic Appeals and Integrity Committee will consider documents relevant to the appeal including all material submitted by the student, and call before it any person deemed relevant. The committee will not consider academic judgements made as part of the examination process. The student will be invited to present a case. The student may be assisted by one person, either an enrolled student, a staff member of the University or a representative from the Student Organisation. The person assisting the student may provide the student with advice, but may not act as an advocate nor make direct comment to the meeting without permission of the Chair.

(15) At the completion of the hearing, everyone present with the exception of the members of the Committee will be excused from the hearing to allow the Academic Appeals and Integrity Committee to reach a recommendation.

Part C - Outcome of the Appeal

(16) The Chair, Academic Senate will, within one week of the Committee's decision, notify the student of the outcome of the appeal.

(17) The decision of the Academic Appeals and Integrity Committee is final and a confidential report will be provided to the next meeting of the Academic Senate.

Section 5 - Guidelines

(18) Nil.