Late penalties for assessments
Find out how late penalties work, including when they apply, how they’re calculated and what they could mean for your results.
When late penalties apply
We all know that sometimes things don’t go to plan. If you need more time to submit your assessment, make sure you apply for an extension before the due date.
If you’re a university student and submit an assessment after the due date without an approved extension or special consideration, a late penalty will apply in line with our Higher Education Assessment Procedure.
For TAFE students, late penalties don't apply. If you miss the due date for an assessment, speak with your course coordinator about what to do next.
How penalties are calculated
For each day your assessment is late, 5% of the total available marks will be deducted. This includes weekends and public holidays.
- Day one (within the first 24 hours): 5% penalty
- Day two (24–48 hours): 10% penalty
- Day three (48–72 hours): 15% penalty
- Day four (72–96 hours): 20% penalty
- Day five (96–120 hours): 25% penalty
- Day six (120–144 hours): 30% penalty
- Day seven (144–168 hours): 35% penalty
After seven days, your assessment will receive a mark of zero. If you submit after this time, your course coordinator will decide whether you receive feedback.
Example scenarios
Rachel’s assessment is due Monday 19 October, but she submits it 10 hours late. She doesn’t have an approved extension or special consideration, so a 5% late penalty applies.
Her assessment is worth 10 marks and she received 8 marks before the late penalty.
- 5% of 10 = 0.5 marks
- 8 − 0.5 = 7.5 marks
After the late penalty, Rachel’s final mark is 7.5 out of 10 (75%).
David’s assessment is due Friday 21 August, but he submits it 30 hours late. He doesn’t have an approved extension or special consideration, so a 10% late penalty applies.
His assessment is worth 50 marks and he received 28 marks before the late penalty.
- 10% of 50 = 5 marks
- 28 − 5 = 23 marks
After the late penalty, David's final mark is 23 out of 50 (46%).
Sam’s assessment is due Monday 20 April, but they submit it three days late. They don’t have an approved extension or special consideration, so a 15% late penalty applies.
Their assessment is worth 70 marks and they received 45 marks before the late penalty.
15% of 70 = 10.5 marks
45 − 10.5 = 34.5 marks
After the late penalty, Sam's final mark is 34.5 out of 70 (49.3%).