Apply for attendance consideration
Can't meet your unit attendance requirements? Find out if you have grounds to apply for special consideration (and how to do it).
If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from getting to your lectures, tutes or placements, you can apply to have the attendance requirements changed. It could be something long-term (like ongoing medical treatment) or short-term (like jury duty).
How to apply as a university student
You must have a valid reason to apply for special consideration. Grounds we accept include:
- medical (like hospitalisation, serious injury, severe anxiety or depression)
- compassionate (like the death of a family member or significant relationship breakdown)
- hardship or trauma (like if you're the victim of a crime or have a sudden loss of income or severe disruption to your living situation)
- urgent responsibilities (like emergency work with the CFA or military, or jury service).
Circumstances within your control (like returning home, holidays, social or family occasions, usual demands of employment) and minor illness (like headaches or colds) won't be accepted as grounds for special consideration.
You should include evidence that supports your application, such as:
- a Health Care Professional Certification form (PDF 691 KB) that has been filled out by an AHPRA-registered practitioner who can diagnose and treat medical conditions (like a GP, psychiatrist or psychologist), a Federation or partner provider counsellor or a registered counsellor (a member of the APS, AASW or ACA)
- a medical certificate that includes a specific statement about the impact your condition has on your studies (and whether it's mild, moderate or severe)
- official notification of your defence reserve, emergency work (e.g. CFA or SES) or jury service (that includes start and finish dates)
- a death notice
- a police report.
If you can't provide any official documents, you can submit a statutory declaration (PDF 84 KB) (or stat dec) instead. This is a statement that you declare to be true and accurate, and it must be approved by a witness. It is an offence to make false claims on a stat dec.
Log into my Student Centre and select the 'My Forms' tile. Choose the 'Special Consideration – General' form then follow the instructions (PDF 724 KB) to complete and submit your application. You should do this as soon as you realise you won't be able to meet your attendance requirements.
When we receive your form, we'll email you a reference number link that you can use to find out the status of your application.
Note: If you're studying through a partner provider in China or Hong Kong, you should download the 'Special Consideration – General' form and submit it to your partner administration office.
You'll find out whether your application has been successful or not within 10 working days. We'll send an email to your student address (or you can check via the 'My Forms' tile in my Student Centre).
How to apply as a TAFE student
Before you submit anything official, speak to your course coordinator. They might be able to help you manage your studies without the need to apply for special consideration.
You must have a valid reason to apply for special consideration. Grounds we accept include:
- medical (like hospitalisation, serious injury, severe anxiety or depression)
- compassionate (like the death of a family member or significant relationship breakdown)
- hardship or trauma (like if you're the victim of a crime or have a sudden loss of income or severe disruption to your living situation)
- urgent responsibilities (like emergency work with the CFA or military, or jury service).
Circumstances within your control (like returning home, holidays, social or family occasions, usual demands of employment) and minor illness (like headaches or colds) won't be accepted as grounds for special consideration.
You should include evidence that supports your application, such as:
- a Health Care Professional Certification form (PDF 691 KB) that has been filled out by an AHPRA-registered practitioner who can diagnose and treat medical conditions (like a GP, psychiatrist or psychologist), a Federation or partner provider counsellor or a registered counsellor (a member of the APS, AASW or ACA)
- a medical certificate that includes a specific statement about the impact your condition has on your studies (and whether it's mild, moderate or severe)
- official notification of your defence reserve, emergency work (e.g. CFA or SES) or jury service (that includes start and finish dates)
- a death notice
- a police report.
If you can't provide any official documents, you can submit a statutory declaration (PDF 84 KB) (or stat dec) instead. This is a statement that you declare to be true and accurate, and it must be approved by a witness. It is an offence to make false claims on a stat dec.
Complete the VET special consideration (general) form (PDF 892 KB). You can take a hard copy to Student HQ (Building T at Mt Helen Campus or Building D at SMB Campus) or email the file to specialcon@federation.edu.au. Don't forget to include your supporting documents.
You'll find out whether your application has been successful or not within 10 working days. We'll send an email to your student address.
Using fake documents
But it's important to be honest when you apply. Submitting fake or edited documents, like medical certificates, can have serious consequences – you could be excluded from studying at Federation for up to 10 years.
When not to apply for attendance consideration
If you have ongoing medical conditions or disabilities, you should contact Accessibility Services to discuss a Learning Access Plan (LAP). This will include any reasonable adjustments you need throughout your course.
If your application is rejected
You can lodge an appeal within 30 days of the receiving the outcome notification. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Student Appeals Committee via their online portal.