We understand that unexpected circumstances beyond your control may prevent you from completing your assessment. In such cases, you may be eligible to apply for special consideration. On this page, we gathered all the information you need to know.
Important information about special considerations
When you apply for special consideration, you need to provide supporting documents showing why you can’t complete your assessment as scheduled due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control.
Once your situation improves, you should continue working on the assessment task while awaiting the outcome, and submit it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may risk a late penalty if we don’t approve your application. Also, an extension may delay any feedback on your assessment.
Submitting a special consideration application does not guarantee approval. All applications must include supporting evidence. Consideration in marking is not an outcome of special consideration.
You can apply for an extension of time through special consideration for any type of assessment except exam, as long as you can provide documents to support your exceptional circumstances.
Eligibility
Types of assessment tasks that are available for special consideration due to your exceptional circumstances beyond your control:
English language program
Foundation and Diploma programs
Any assessment task (excluding ungraded assessments or participation)
Any assessment tasks, including coursework assessments and exams (excluding participation)
asthma severe enough to require a nebuliser at a doctor’s surgery or hospitalisation
scheduled medical procedure
any medical condition requiring hospitalisation
recent discharge from hospital.
Acceptable supporting evidence:
Medical certificate (preferred document)
A medical certificate must state that you were unfit to complete your assessment on or before the date you were meant to complete it, and for how long.
Hospital discharge form
A hospital discharge form should state how long you were hospitalised and on what dates.
If you are unable to obtain a medical certificate, other acceptable evidence is outlined below:
Medical letter of of support
You can get a medical letter of support if you couldn’t get a medical certificate when you were unwell.
The letter must state that you were unwell on or before the date you were meant to complete your assessment, and for how long. The doctor writing this letter must have knowledge of your medical history and/or condition. Additionally, they must explain how they concluded that your condition has prevented you from completing your assessment when they had no consultation with you at that time.
The letter must be on the medical surgery/doctor’s letterhead, signed and dated.
Practitioner certificate
You can provide a certificate from an AHPRA-registered health practitioner (e.g. physiotherapist or rehabilitation specialist) registered with a relevant professional body. The certificate must state that you were unfit to complete your assessment on or before the date you were meant to complete it, and for how long.
The practitioner provides the certificate right after a consultation. The certificate must be signed and dated. If the certificate has been backdated, your practitioner must explain why, and give the reason they believe you were unfit at that time.
The certificate must be on the medical centre/practitioner’s letterhead.
Certificate of attendance, along with a Victorian Government statutory declaration (in person or online). A statutory declaration cannot be accepted alone.
A statutory declaration is a written statement that you (the declarant) sign and declare to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. In the statutory declaration, you should declare and explain your specific circumstances and how they have affected your studies and your ability to complete your assessment on or before its set date. You must state when you’ve been affected and for how long, and explain the significance of your relationship to the deceased person.
A statutory declaration (or equivalent) must be signed and declared to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. By signing it, you agree that the information in it is true. You can be charged with a criminal offence if the information is false.
To find out more about statutory declaration, including step-by-step instructions for obtaining a statutory declaration and details about who is authorised to witness it, visit the Victoria State Government web page.
This includes mental health conditions, such as severe anxiety and depression.
Acceptable supporting evidence:
Medical certificate (preferred document)
A medical certificate must state that you were unfit to complete your assessment on or before the date you were meant to complete it, and for how long.
Your psychiatrist or other medical doctor can provide the medical certificate right after a consultation (including a telehealth appointment). The certificate must be dated. (If the certificate has been backdated, your psychiatrist or other medical doctor must explain why, and give the reason they believe you were unfit at that time.)
Hospital discharge form
A hospital discharge form should state how long you were hospitalised and on what dates.
Practitioner certificate (preferred document)
You can provide a certificate from a practitioner (e.g. psychologist or counsellor) registered with a relevant professional body. The certificate must state that you were unfit to complete your assessment on or before the date you were meant to complete it, and for how long.
The practitioner provides the certificate right after a consultation. The certificate must be signed and dated. If the certificate has been backdated, your practitioner must explain why, and give the reason they believe you were unfit at that time.
The certificate must be on the medical centre/practitioner’s letterhead.
If unable to obtain a medical certificate or practitioner certificate, other acceptable evidence as outlined below:
Medical letter of support
You can get a medical letter of support if you couldn’t get a medical certificate when you were unwell.
The letter must state that you were unwell on or before the date you were meant to complete your assessment, and for how long. The psychiatrist or other medical doctor writing this letter must have knowledge of your mental health history and/or condition. Additionally, they must explain how they concluded that your condition has prevented you from completing your assessment when they had no consultation with you at that time.
The letter must be on the psychiatrist’s/other medical doctor’s letterhead, signed and dated.
Certificate of attendance, along with a Victorian Government statutory declaration (in person or online). A statutory declaration cannot be accepted alone. (Collapsible)
A statutory declaration is a written statement that you (the declarant) sign and declare to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. In the statutory declaration, you should declare and explain your specific circumstances and how they have affected your studies and your ability to complete your assessment on or before its set date. You must state when you’ve been affected and for how long, and explain the significance of your relationship to the deceased person.
A statutory declaration (or equivalent) must be signed and declared to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. By signing it, you agree that the information in it is true. You can be charged with a criminal offence if the information is false.
To find out more about statutory declaration, including step-by-step instructions for obtaining a statutory declaration and details about who is authorised to witness it, visit the Victoria State Government web page.
This refers to the death of a close family member or person with whom you had a significant relationship. Due to their death, you’re now experiencing great loss or bereavement.
You need to provide a document such as a death notice or certificate. If this isn’t available, you can provide a practitioner certificate or a statutory declaration (or equivalent). In the case of extreme and ongoing grief, your doctor or counsellor can also provide a medical letter of support.
You need to provide a written statement showing the significance of the relationship between you and the deceased person (e.g. evidence of kinship or family connection), and how long you’ve been affected by their death. If we need more details, we may require you to provide a statutory declaration (or equivalent) in addition to one of the other documents.
Acceptable supporting evidence:
Death notice or certificate
A death notice or certificate must state the full name of the deceased and their date of death.
Practitioner certificate
A practitioner certificate may supplement your other supporting documents. In this certificate, a practitioner (e.g. medical practitioner, psychologist, counsellor, social worker or lawyer) registered with a relevant professional body must state that circumstances beyond your control have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date. They don’t need to give details about your loss or bereavement, but they must say when you’ve been affected by it and for how long. They must also explain the significance of your relationship to the deceased person.
The certificate must be on the practitioner’s letterhead, signed and dated.
Medical letter of support
A medical letter of support from a doctor (or other appropriate health professional) describes your emotional state and how it has affected your studies and your ability to complete your assessment on or before the set date. It must also say when you’ve been affected by it and for how long.
The letter must be on the medical surgery/health professional’s letterhead, signed and dated.
Statutory declaration (or equivalent)
A statutory declaration is a written statement that you (the declarant) sign and declare to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. In the statutory declaration, you should declare and explain your specific circumstances and how they have affected your studies and your ability to complete your assessment on or before its set date. You must state when you’ve been affected and for how long, and explain the significance of your relationship to the deceased person.
A statutory declaration (or equivalent) must be signed and declared to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. By signing it, you agree that the information in it is true. You can be charged with a criminal offence if the information is false.
To find out more about statutory declaration, including step-by-step instructions for obtaining a statutory declaration and details about who is authorised to witness it, visit the Victoria State Government web page.
This includes family violence and severe disruption to your domestic arrangements.
Please provide the supporting document that best fits your circumstances. Any supporting document should be on official letterhead, signed and dated.
Acceptable supporting evidence:
Police report
The police will determine the content of this report. If it doesn’t give enough detail to indicate how your circumstances have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date, you’ll need to provide this information in an impact statement as part of your application form.
You can also provide a statutory declaration (or equivalent) explaining in more detail the impact of your circumstances of family violence on your studies.
Practitioner certificate or letter of support
In this certificate or letter, a practitioner (e.g. social worker or lawyer) registered with a relevant professional body must state that circumstances beyond your control have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date. They don’t need to give details about your relationship breakdown, but they must say when you’ve been affected by this and for how long.
Safer Community Unit letter
In a letter, the Monash Safer Community Unit addresses family violence that you’ve experienced and reported to them. They must state that circumstances beyond your control have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date. They don’t need to give details about the family violence, but they must say when you’ve been affected by this and for how long.
Court letter or document
The court will determine the content of the letter or document. If it doesn’t give enough detail to indicate how your circumstances have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date, you’ll need to provide this information in an impact statement as part of your application form.
In some cases, you’ll need to also provide a statutory declaration (or equivalent) explaining in more detail the impact of your circumstances of family violence or a relationship breakdown on your studies.
If you need help getting court documents, contact the court registrar in your jurisdiction.
District nurse or maternal and child health nurse letter
In this letter, a district nurse or maternal and child health nurse must state that circumstances beyond your control (e.g. postnatal depression) have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date. They don’t need to give details about your family situation, but they must say when you’ve been affected by this and for how long.
Family violence support service letter
In this letter, a family violence support service must state that circumstances beyond your control have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date. They don’t need to give details about the family violence, but they must say when you’ve been affected by this and for how long
Statutory declaration (or equivalent)
A statutory declaration is a written statement that you (the declarant) sign and declare to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. In the statutory declaration, you should declare and explain your specific circumstances and how they have affected your studies and your ability to complete your assessment on or before its set date. You must also state when you’ve been affected, and for how long.
A statutory declaration (or equivalent) must be signed and declared to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. By signing it, you agree that the information in it is true. You can be charged with a criminal offence if the information is false.
To find out more about statutory declaration, including step-by-step instructions for obtaining a statutory declaration and details about who is authorised to witness it, visit the Victoria State Government web page.
This includes when you’ve recently been a victim of crime, or are now traumatised by a crime that occurred in the past or have concerns about your safety that are affecting your ability to complete an assessment.
If you’re a victim of crime or have concerns about your safety, you need to provide one of these supporting documents. We can’t accept a Notice of Victim email.
Supporting documents should be on official letterhead, signed and dated.
Acceptable supporting evidence:
Police report
The police will determine the content of this report (i.e., this is the preferred supporting document if you’ve been a victim of crime.). If it doesn’t give enough detail to indicate how your circumstances have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date, you’ll need to provide this information in an impact statement as part of your application.
In some cases, you may need to provide a statutory declaration (or equivalent) explaining in more detail the impact of the crime on your studies.
Practitioner certificate
In this certificate, a practitioner (e.g. social worker, counsellor or lawyer) registered with a relevant professional body must state that circumstances beyond your control have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date. They don’t need to give details about your trauma, but they must say when you’ve been affected by this and for how long.
Safer Community Unit letter
In a letter, the Monash Safer Community Unit addresses a crime that has occurred on campus. They must state that circumstances beyond your control prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date. They don’t need to give details about the crime, but they must say when you’ve been affected by this and for how long.
Court letter or document
The court will determine the content of this letter or document, but it must include the date or dates on which the crime took place. If it doesn’t give enough detail to indicate how your circumstances have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date, you’ll need to provide this information in an impact statement as part of your application form.
In some cases, you’ll need to also provide a statutory declaration (or equivalent) explaining in more detail the impact of the crime on your studies.
If you need help getting court documents, contact the court registrar in your jurisdiction.
Statutory declaration (or equivalent)
A statutory declaration is a written statement that you (the declarant) sign and declare to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. In the statutory declaration, you should declare and explain your specific circumstances and how they have affected your studies and your ability to complete your assessment on or before its set date. You must also state when you’ve been affected, and for how long.
A statutory declaration (or equivalent) must be signed and declared to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. By signing it, you agree that the information in it is true. You can be charged with a criminal offence if the information is false.
To find out more about statutory declaration, including step-by-step instructions for obtaining a statutory declaration and details about who is authorised to witness it, visit the Victoria State Government web page.
Letter of support issued by a community leader or organisation
A letter of support from a community leader or organisation to verify the circumstances and impact on the ability of the student to complete the assessment as scheduled. The letter should outline the reasons students are concerned about their safety on campus and the impact of the circumstances on the student’s ability to complete their assessment.
If you’ve suffered a sudden loss of income or employment, you need to provide one of these supporting documents.
Acceptable supporting evidence:
Practitioner certificate
In this certificate, a practitioner (e.g. financial adviser, lawyer or social worker) registered with a relevant professional body must state that circumstances beyond your control have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date. They don’t need to give details about your financial issues, but they must say when you’ve been affected by this and for how long.
The certificate should be on the practitioner’s letterhead, signed and dated.
Employer (or former employer) letter
In a letter, your employer or former employer must provide enough detail to show how circumstances beyond your control have prevented you from completing your assessment on or before the set date.
The letter should include employer contact details and ideally be on their letterhead. It should also be signed and dated.
This includes obligations to defence services, Juries Commissioner’s Office and emergency services such as the Country Fire Authority. It can also include other civic obligations required by law in other countries.
You need to provide a letter from the appropriate authority (e.g. Army Reserve, Juries Commissioner’s Office or Country Fire Authority).
This letter must state the dates and nature of your obligation and how this has affected your ability to complete your assessment on or before its set date. It should be on an official letterhead, signed and dated.
This includes athletes, artists and performers registered with the Elite Student Performer Scheme (ESPS). It also includes students representing the University or the College in key events and programs, such as debating, who are not registered with the ESPS.
If you’re not registered with the ESPS, you need to provide a letter from the faculty or other area of the University or the College.
This letter must state that you’re participating in a required event and include the dates and nature of your obligation. It should be on official letterhead, signed and dated.
This refers to when you can’t complete your assessment because you’re dealing with the illness of a family member (including your child) or other person you care for.
You request an extension because flexible deadlines were not previously approved as part of your DSS recommended adjustments.
You request an extension beyond five calendar days from the original due date of the assessment (applicable when five calendar days were already granted as part of their flexible assessment deadlines).
Deferred final assessment requests
You apply for a deferred final assessment (only applicable to Monash English and Diploma programs).
If you’re a carer not registered with DSS, you need to provide a medical certificate. But if you couldn’t get this certificate when the person you care for was unwell, you can instead request a medical letter of support. Or you may provide a practitioner certificate.
Acceptable supporting evidence:
A medical certificate (preferred document)
A medical certificate must state that the person you care for was unwell on or before the date you were meant to complete your assessment, and how long they required your care. The certificate must name you as the carer.
If unable to obtain a medical certificate, other acceptable evidence as outlined below:
A medical letter of of support
The letter must state that the person you care for was unwell on or before the date you were meant to complete your assessment, and how long they required your care. The doctor writing this letter must have knowledge of their medical history and/or condition. Additionally, they must explain how they concluded that the condition affected this person when they had no consultation with them at that time.
The letter must be printed on the medical centre/doctor’s letterhead and name you as the carer. It must be signed and dated.
A practitioner certificate
You can provide a certificate from a practitioner (e.g. social worker or physiotherapist) registered with a relevant professional body. The certificate must state that the person you care for was unwell on or before the date you were meant to complete your assessment, and for how long. The certificate must name you as the carer.
The practitioner provides the certificate right after a consultation. The certificate must be signed and dated. If the certificate has been backdated, the doctor must explain why, and give the reason they believe the person you care for was unwell at that time.
The certificate must be printed on the medical centre/practitioner’s letterhead.
This includes strict religious observance in line with our commitment to promoting an inclusive environment for all members of the Monash community. We encourage accommodation in study, but only when observance conflicts with the date set for your assessment. Religious or cultural obligations also include cultural and ceremonial duties, but not regular weekly commitments, such as the Sabbath.
You need to provide a personal letter of support from a recognised cultural or faith leader.
You can use a statutory declaration (or equivalent) and provide information about the impact of your circumstances on your studies.
Acceptable supporting evidence:
Personal letter of support
In a personal letter of support, a recognised cultural or faith leader briefly describes their relationship with you and explains how a religious or cultural obligation will prevent you from completing your assessment task.
The letter should be on official letterhead, signed and dated.
Statutory declaration (or equivalent)
A statutory declaration is a written statement that you (the declarant) sign and declare to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. In the statutory declaration, you should declare and explain your specific circumstances and how they have affected your studies and your ability to complete your assessment on or before its set date. You must also state when you’ve been affected, and for how long.
A statutory declaration (or equivalent) must be signed and declared to be true and correct in the presence of an authorised witness. By signing it, you agree that the information in it is true. You can be charged with a criminal offence if the information is false.
To find out more about statutory declaration, including step-by-step instructions for obtaining a statutory declaration and details about who is authorised to witness it, visit the Victoria State Government web page.
If you’ve experienced exceptional circumstances not covered elsewhere, such as a natural disaster or serious accident, you need to provide sufficient evidence explaining them and how they’ve affected your studies and your ability to complete your assessment on or before its set date.
The evidence must also state the duration of this impact. It also needs to include some form of independent, verifiable documentation. We may contact you to provide additional information.
Supporting evidence requirements
Supporting evidence (such as, letters, statutory declarations and medical certificates) must:
be on official letterhead (where applicable), signed and dated,
indicate whether the situation was unexpected and beyond your control,
summarise the nature and duration of the condition or circumstances,
clearly demonstrate the impact the circumstances had on the student’s ability to undertake the assessment task,
be in English or accompanied by an authorised translation (e.g., NATTI in Australia).
Submission of supporting documentation does not guarantee automatic approval of special consideration requests. Each application, including all supporting evidence, will be thoroughly assessed by a designated decision maker. They will determine the student's eligibility for special consideration and may request further documentation if needed.
five working days before the due date of the affected assessment task; or
two working days after the due date of the affected assessment task.
You are encouraged to provide a written statement explaining how the circumstances affected your studies.
Outcomes of a special consideration application
Possible outcomes of an application for Special Consideration are outlined as follows:
Special consideration not granted.
Special consideration granted:
An extension of time
An alternative and equivalent form of assessment
An exemption from completing the task, under extenuating circumstances
This applies to any task 10% or less of the unit’s or module’s total assessment, and is not a hurdle requirement or part of the hurdle requirement.
Applicable to Monash English and Diploma programs only: Deferred high-stakes end-of course tests/assessments or final exams
Long-term or ongoing circumstances
If you’re affected by long-term or ongoing circumstances, such as recurring medical conditions or carer responsibilities, we encourage you to register with the Monash University Disability Support Services (DSS). Alternatively, you can speak to the Student Counselling to discuss further options on ongoing support.
If you’re registered with DSS and the circumstances for which you’re registered prevent you from completing your assessment on time, you may be eligible for an extension through special consideration (as long as DSS has approved you for flexible deadlines).
DSS can also support you with other reasonable adjustments to support your learning.
If you require multiple extensions or prolonged extension across the teaching period, we’ll review your applications and may decline your application and instead recommend that you:
take intermission;
accept that late penalties will apply once the granted extension period has lapsed; or
withdraw from the unit (e.g. applying for WI grade or WDN if eligible)
Further special consideration
Where special consideration in an assessment task has been approved for a specific set of conditions, further special consideration in that task for the same conditions will only be granted in exceptional circumstances with supporting evidence. In such instances, you must submit a new application, including evidence that demonstrates the need for further special consideration.
Further advice
If you’re having trouble or need further assistance with applying for special consideration, contact the Student Administration team.
If your special consideration application is related to sexual harm or a traumatic experience, please contact Monash Safer Community Unit for support and advice.
If you are unwell, please visit a doctor at a medical centre. If you miss classes due to illness or injury, you must email your teacher, complete an absence form, and upload a medical certificate from the doctor.
For international students: You can use the 'find a doctor' feature on your private health insurance provider's website to find a nearby doctor.
For domestic students: You can use the 'find a doctor' feature on the Services Australia website to find a nearby doctor.
