Withdrawal Under Special Circumstances

If you have experienced an adverse and unexpected event that has had a significant impact on your studies after the census date of a particular study period, you may be eligible to apply to be withdrawn from your studies under special circumstances. It will only be approved under exceptional circumstances and students should seek appropriate counseling before proceed with the withdrawal under special circumstances.

To apply you must be able to provide evidence that the circumstances:

  • Were beyond your control; AND
  • Did not make their full impact known until on or after the census date; AND
  • Affected you to the extent that you were unable to complete the requirements of the unit.

Student Eligibility and Circumstances

In accordance with the Admission and Enrolment Manual, you must demonstrate your circumstances satisfy all of the requirements below:

  • Were beyond your control;
    • if a situation occurs which a reasonable person would consider is not due to the person’s action or inaction, either direct or indirect, and for which the person is not responsible. This situation must be unusual, uncommon or abnormal.
  • Did not make their full impact until on or after the census date, i.e. your circumstances occurred:
    • prior to the census date, but worsened after that date
    • prior to the census date, but the full effect or magnitude does not become apparent until on or after that date
    • on or after the census date
  • Made it impracticable for you to complete the requirements of the unit in the period during which you undertook, or were to undertake, the unit(s), i.e. you were unable to:
    • undertake the necessary private study required, or attend sufficient lectures or tutorials or meet other compulsory attendance requirements in order to meet their compulsory course requirements; or
    • complete the required assessable work; or
    • sit the required examinations; or
    • complete any other course requirements because of their inability to meet the above

You can only submit an application if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • The census date of the unit(s) has passed
  • You have not completed the requirements of the unit (e.g. a passing grade has not been assigned to the unit(s))
  • The application is submitted within 12 months of your withdrawal date or if you have not withdrawn, the study period end date
    • An application may be considered outside of the 12 month period if you are able to demonstrate that it would not be, or was not possible, for the application to be made before the end of that period
    • Note: A lack of knowledge or understanding of the requirements for applying for a Refund & Remission of Fees is not a valid reason for applying outside of the 12-month timeframe
  • You have met ongoing requirements of the unit(s) up until you were affected by special circumstances
    • Ongoing requirements include, but are not limited to:
      • Tests
      • Mid-semester exams
      • Assignments
      • Placements
      • Journals
    • That contribute to the requirement of your unit/s up until the special circumstances affected you.

Supporting Documentation

Applications are assessed based on the independent supporting documentation provided to demonstrate your special circumstances. All documentation must include the appropriate dates of all relevant events or illnesses.

When submitting your application, please be advised that:

  • All documentation must be on an official letterhead, original and scanned in colour. No copies will be accepted
  • Documentation must be in English, or translated by an accredited authority
  • Curtin University has no obligation to seek additional supporting documentation in relation to a submitted application
  • Curtin University performs regular audit checks to verify the legitimacy of any submitted supporting documentation. An applicant who is found to have provided false or misleading information will have their application declined, and disciplinary action may be taken.
  • If your application is successful, you will be automatically withdrawn from the unit(s) and the withdrawal will be recorded on your Academic Transcript as “WD”
  • Please note that the student will remain liable for any fee incurred during the semester.

Below are examples of special circumstances you might have, and the documentation required in each scenario.

If you became ill on or after the census date you should provide a medical certificate from a doctor or psychologist, specifying the dates of your illness, and confirming that it prevented you from studying.

If you had a pre-existing medical condition that impacted your studies on or after the census date you will need to provide a medical certificate from a doctor or psychologist highlighting the date at which your illness worsened, to the extent that you were unable to continue studying.

In situations involving the illness of a family member, or other family/personal reasons you will need to provide a medical certificate from a doctor or psychologist confirming the impact that these circumstances have had on your ability to study. The certificate should include the dates that you were affected, and confirm that you were unable to study.

In cases of bereavement, a death certificate is sufficient where the deceased is an immediate family member (parent/sibling/spouse/child). In all other cases, please provide a letter of support from your doctor or psychologist, confirming the dates that you were unable to study.

Please note, Curtin offers free Counselling and Disability Services for students who may be in need of assistance with personal matters.

Do not provide medical certificates for your family members. All documentation must be specific to you, and how your studies have been affected.

If your employment conditions have changed, requiring you to work more hours, take on a greater workload or relocate, you should provide a statement from your employer on company letterhead confirming the nature of the change, the date you were advised of it and the expected duration.
In these situations, it must be clear that the change was outside of your control.

Choosing to increase your work hours or undertake additional employment is not considered as circumstances beyond your control.

If you are self-employed you will need to complete a statutory declaration. Please note you may be asked to provide further documents after our initial assessment.

Employment reasons are not applicable to international students on a Student Visa.

Application Process & Important Information

  • Applications are assessed based on the independent supporting documentation provided to demonstrate your special circumstances.
  • All documentation must include the appropriate dates of all relevant events or illnesses.
  • All correspondence will be sent to the student email address provided in your application
  • You will remain liable for the full liability for tuition fee.

Submit your application

Please note: Applications are assessed primarily on the independent supporting documentation provided to demonstrate your circumstances

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