Appeal a final grade
Find out whether you can appeal a final grade, and what the process involves.
Before you appeal
If you're unhappy with your results, the first thing you should do is ask your lecturer or tutor for more detailed feedback. This might help you understand what was expected and how you can improve in the future. If you disagree with the feedback, you can ask for a second opinion by writing to your unit coordinator (in some units, this happens automatically for assignments that get under 50% – check the unit description to find out if this is the case). If you still don't think the result is fair after this, you can submit an official appeal.
What is a final grade appeal?
A final grade appeal (also referred to as a review of grades) is a formal request to have a final grade reconsidered if you have valid concerns about how a unit was delivered or assessed.
If you didn't perform well due to personal or health issues, you can't appeal your grade, but you can apply for a remission of debt (debt cancelled or fees refunded).
Eligibility and timing
Most final grade appeals relate to MF or F grades, but you can appeal even if you've passed the unit (e.g. if you've received a distinction but believe issues during the course prevented you from achieving a high distinction).
Your appeal must be based on one or more of the following grounds:
- The task descriptions or assessment criteria were insufficient or unclear.
- The assessors didn't follow the set assessment procedures.
- The marking criteria were either applied inconsistently, misinterpreted or used in a way that disadvantaged you.
You can only appeal after your final result is officially published in my Student Centre, and you must get your submission in within 10 working days from the grade publication date. Late applications might be accepted, but only at the discretion of the institute staff.
How to appeal a final grade
Follow these steps or download a pdf version (239 KB).
Read the Student Appeal Procedure to see if you meet at least one of the grounds for appeal.
Our Review of Grades Guide explains how to set out your concerns and what types of supporting evidence you can use. If you need advice about specific issues, view one of these student guides:
Groupwork Challenges (PDF 116 KB)
Concerns with Marking (PDF 116 KB)
Assessment Information Unclear (PDF 116 KB)
Concerns with Placement Documentation (PDF 116 KB)
We can help you:
- understand whether you have valid grounds for appeal
- review your draft statement and give you feedback
- decide what evidence to include.
Make an appointment as soon as you receive your grades.
Your appeal statement should clearly explain:
- which ground(s) for appeal you're using
- how the issue affected your result
- your supporting evidence (e.g. marking rubrics, emails with teaching staff).
Keep your statement clear, focused and factual.
You can write your statement directly onto the Institute Appeal Submission Form (PDF 284 KB) or attach it separately. Either way, you must complete the form. (Use Acrobat to edit the file rather than your browser.) Include your student number on any attachments.
Email your completed Institute Student Appeal Submission Form (PDF 315 KB), statement and any supporting documents to your institute's appeals email address (see below). Address the email to the executive dean of your institute and use the subject line 'Review of Grades Application: CONFIDENTIAL'.
Institute of Health and Wellbeing: health.appeals@federation.edu.au
Institute of Education, Arts and Community: educationarts.appeals@federation.edu.au
Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability: iiss.appeals@federation.edu.au
Not sure which institute you belong to? Email studentadvocacy@federation.edu.au to check.