ANU Special Consideration Policy: A Complete Guide to Extensions and Deferred Exams

The Australian National University (ANU) understands that life doesn’t always follow a predictable academic calendar. In 2026, ANU processed over 3,200 special consideration applications, with approximately 78% receiving approval for either assessment extensions or deferred examinations. The university’s Special Consideration Policy exists precisely for moments when illness, personal trauma, family emergencies, or other significant disruptions interfere with your ability to complete assessments on time.

Whether you’re facing a sudden medical condition, caring for an unwell family member, or navigating unexpected personal circumstances, understanding how to properly apply for ANU special consideration can make the difference between academic continuity and unnecessary setbacks. This guide walks you through every aspect of the policy, from eligibility criteria to documentation requirements, ensuring you know exactly what steps to take when life interrupts your studies.

What Is ANU’s Special Consideration Policy?

The ANU Special Consideration Policy provides a formal framework for students who experience circumstances beyond their control that significantly impair their academic performance or ability to meet assessment deadlines. Established under the Assessment Rule 2024 and updated for the 2026 academic year, the policy covers three primary forms of academic adjustment: assessment extensions, deferred examinations, and alternative assessment arrangements.

Unlike informal arrangements with individual lecturers, special consideration applications go through a centralised review process managed by your Academic College or the University Registrar’s Office. This ensures consistency, fairness, and proper documentation across all ANU colleges, including the College of Arts and Social Sciences, College of Business and Economics, and College of Health and Medicine.

The policy distinguishes between short-term disruptions (lasting up to 10 working days) and long-term or recurring conditions that may require an Education Access Plan (EAP) through ANU Access and Inclusion. For acute, unexpected events like sudden illness or bereavement, special consideration is the appropriate pathway. For ongoing health conditions or disabilities, the EAP provides more comprehensive, semester-long accommodations.

Eligibility Criteria: When Can You Apply for Special Consideration?

Not every difficult situation qualifies for ANU special consideration. The university applies consistent criteria to determine whether circumstances warrant an academic adjustment. Understanding these boundaries helps you decide whether to submit an application or explore alternative support services.

Eligible circumstances include serious illness or injury, including mental health crises, that directly prevent you from completing an assessment or attending an exam. The university also recognises family or personal emergencies, such as the death or serious illness of a close family member, being a victim of crime, or experiencing domestic violence. Cultural or religious observances that conflict with assessment dates, provided you notify the university at least two weeks in advance, also qualify. Additionally, unexpected caring responsibilities, such as a child’s sudden illness requiring your presence, fall within the policy’s scope.

Circumstances that typically do not qualify include minor illnesses like common colds without medical certification, misreading the exam timetable, travel plans unrelated to emergencies, or workload pressures from multiple assessments due at the same time. The policy explicitly states that poor time management or failure to plan for known commitments does not constitute grounds for special consideration. If you have a known, ongoing condition, you should proactively seek an Education Access Plan rather than relying on repeated special consideration applications.

Step-by-Step: How to Submit an ANU Special Consideration Application

Submitting a successful ANU special consideration application requires attention to detail and timely action. The university uses the ISIS Student Portal as the primary submission platform, with all applications processed electronically. Here’s exactly what you need to do.

Step 1: Access the application form. Log into your ISIS account and navigate to the “Manage My Degree” section. Under “Assessment,” select “Apply for Special Consideration.” The system will display your current enrolled courses and upcoming assessments, allowing you to select the specific item you’re seeking an adjustment for.

Step 2: Select the type of adjustment. Choose from assessment extension, deferred examination, or alternative assessment arrangement. For extensions, you’ll need to specify the requested new due date. ANU recommends requesting an extension no longer than 10 working days beyond the original deadline for most coursework assessments, though longer periods may be granted for major projects or theses with appropriate justification.

Step 3: Provide detailed supporting documentation. This is the most critical component of your application. Medical certificates must clearly state the dates you were affected, the nature of the condition, and the specific impact on your ability to complete assessments. A certificate simply stating “was seen at the clinic” without specifying functional impairment will likely result in rejection. For non-medical circumstances, statutory declarations, police reports, or letters from counsellors or religious leaders serve as appropriate evidence. All documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations.

Step 4: Submit within the required timeframe. For deferred exam applications, you must submit within three working days after the scheduled examination date. For assessment extensions, apply at least two working days before the due date whenever possible. Late applications require additional explanation for the delay and face higher rejection rates—only 42% of late applications received approval in Semester 1, 2026, compared to 82% of on-time submissions.

ANU Deferred Exam Process: What You Need to Know

The ANU deferred exam process follows specific protocols distinct from general assessment extensions. If illness or exceptional circumstances prevent you from sitting a scheduled examination, you must act quickly and follow precise procedures to secure a deferred examination opportunity.

When you apply for a deferred exam, the university schedules your alternative sitting during the official deferred examination period, typically held in the first two weeks of the following semester. For Semester 1, 2026, deferred exams were scheduled between 21 July and 1 August 2026. For Semester 2, the deferred period falls in mid-February 2027. You cannot request a specific date within this window; the university allocates times based on venue availability and examiner schedules.

It’s crucial to understand that a deferred exam is not an easier version of the original assessment. ANU policy requires that deferred examinations maintain the same academic standards, weighting, and learning outcome coverage as the original exam. The format may differ—for instance, an in-person exam might become an online proctored assessment—but the difficulty level remains equivalent. If you’re granted a deferred exam for a course with a hurdle requirement, that hurdle still applies to the deferred assessment.

Students should also note the financial implications. ANU does not charge a fee for processing deferred exam applications, but if you’re an international student whose study plan extends beyond your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) end date due to deferred exams, you may need to apply for a CoE extension through the university’s international student support team. This can affect visa conditions, so consult with ANU Student Central immediately if this applies to your situation.

Applying for an ANU Extension Due to Illness

Medical conditions represent the most common grounds for ANU extension due to illness applications, accounting for 64% of all special consideration requests in the 2025 academic year. Whether you’re dealing with a severe flu, a mental health episode, or a chronic condition flare-up, the documentation you provide determines the outcome of your application.

The university requires medical certificates that meet specific standards. A valid certificate must include the date of consultation, the period during which you were unfit to study, the medical practitioner’s signature and provider number, and—critically—a statement about how the condition affected your capacity to complete assessments. Certificates from telehealth consultations are accepted, provided they contain the same level of detail. ANU has clarified that online medical services like InstantScripts or GP2U are acceptable documentation sources, as long as the practitioner provides a proper assessment, not merely a prescription.

For mental health-related extensions, ANU accepts documentation from psychologists, psychiatrists, or ANU Counselling and Wellbeing services. The university has worked to reduce stigma around mental health applications, and in 2026 introduced a streamlined process for students accessing ANU Counselling where the counsellor can directly submit supporting documentation through an internal referral system. This eliminates the need for students to request and upload separate letters, reducing administrative burden during already stressful periods.

If you’re applying for an extension due to illness that affects multiple assessments across different courses, you can submit a single application covering multiple items. This prevents the need to repeat your personal circumstances to multiple assessors. However, each course convenor retains discretion to determine the specific extension length appropriate for their assessment, so outcomes may vary between courses even within a single application.

Understanding ANU Assessment Adjustment Policy

The ANU assessment adjustment policy extends beyond simple extensions and deferred exams. In some circumstances, you may require a different type of assessment altogether—what the university terms an alternative assessment arrangement. This option exists for situations where the original assessment format is fundamentally incompatible with your temporary or changed circumstances.

Alternative assessments might include substituting an exam with a take-home assignment, converting a group presentation to an individual written submission, or replacing an in-person practical demonstration with a video-recorded assessment. These adjustments require more extensive negotiation than simple deadline extensions and typically involve your course convenor working with the Associate Dean (Education) of your college to design an academically equivalent task.

The policy also addresses assessment weighting adjustments. In rare cases where you’ve completed some but not all assessment items before circumstances arose, the university may approve a re-weighting of completed components. For example, if you completed two assignments worth 40% each before a medical emergency prevented you from sitting the final exam worth 20%, the college might approve re-weighting the completed work to cover the full 100%. This is not automatic and requires demonstrating that you’ve already met all course learning outcomes through completed assessments.

Another important aspect of the policy involves group work adjustments. If your illness or circumstances affect a group project, ANU encourages early communication with both your group members and the course convenor. The university can approve individual extensions that don’t penalise other group members or restructure the assessment so your contribution is evaluated separately. In 2026, ANU piloted a Group Work Impact Statement form that allows students to confidentially disclose how personal circumstances affected their group contributions without revealing private details to peers.

Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejected Applications

Understanding why applications fail can help you avoid the same pitfalls. ANU’s 2026 data reveals that 22% of special consideration applications were rejected, with most rejections falling into predictable categories that you can actively prevent.

The most frequent reason for rejection is insufficient documentation. Medical certificates that lack specific dates, fail to describe functional impact, or come from non-registered practitioners do not meet the university’s evidentiary standards. A certificate stating “Patient reports feeling unwell” without the practitioner’s assessment of your capacity to complete academic work will almost certainly be rejected. Similarly, statutory declarations that provide vague descriptions like “personal problems” without specifying the nature and timing of the disruption fail to establish the required connection between circumstances and assessment impact.

Timing issues represent another major rejection category. Applications submitted after the three-working-day window for exams or after the assessment due date for extensions require compelling justification for the delay. The university’s position is that if you were well enough to submit a late application, you should have been able to submit it on time. Exceptions exist for situations involving hospitalisation or incapacitation where you physically could not access the application system, but these require additional evidence.

A less obvious but equally important mistake involves applying for the wrong type of support. Students with ongoing conditions sometimes submit repeated special consideration applications for each assessment when they should instead register with ANU Access and Inclusion for an Education Access Plan. The university may reject applications if they identify a pattern suggesting you need ongoing accommodations rather than one-off adjustments. If you have a chronic health condition, disability, or recurring mental health challenge, proactively seeking an EAP at the start of semester provides more reliable and comprehensive support.

How to Strengthen Your Special Consideration Application

A strong ANU special consideration application doesn’t just meet minimum requirements—it anticipates what assessors need to approve your request. Taking a strategic approach to your application significantly increases your chances of a favourable outcome.

Be specific about impact. Rather than simply stating you were ill, explain exactly how your condition prevented assessment completion. For example: “Due to a severe migraine lasting from 15-18 May 2026, I was unable to read screens or concentrate for more than 10-minute intervals, preventing me from completing the 2,000-word research essay requiring sustained focus and library database access.” This level of detail helps assessors understand why an extension is necessary and what duration is appropriate.

Gather documentation proactively. Don’t wait until you’re feeling better to visit a doctor—seek medical attention during the period you’re affected. Documentation dated after you’ve recovered carries less weight than contemporaneous evidence. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, contact ANU Counselling (02 6125 2211) or the ANU Crisis Support Line (1300 050 327) immediately. These services not only provide support but can also generate documentation that substantiates your application.

Communicate early with course convenors. While the formal application goes through ISIS, emailing your course convenor or tutor to alert them that you’re experiencing difficulties and intend to apply for special consideration creates a record of proactive communication. Some convenors may grant informal short extensions of 1-3 days without requiring formal special consideration, preserving that process for more significant disruptions. However, never assume informal arrangements replace the need for formal applications for major assessments or exams.

Consider the timing of your request. If you’re applying for an extension, request a realistic new deadline that accounts for both your recovery and the time needed to complete quality work. Asking for an extension until “next week” without specifying a date appears disorganised. Instead, calculate how many additional days you genuinely need and request that specific date, explaining your reasoning. For a major illness requiring 5 days of recovery followed by 3 days to complete the assessment, request an 8-working-day extension with this breakdown clearly stated.

FAQ

How many days do I have to apply for a deferred exam at ANU after missing the scheduled exam?

You must submit your deferred exam application within three working days after the scheduled examination date. For example, if your exam was on Monday, you have until Thursday of the same week to apply. If you miss this window, you’ll need to provide additional evidence explaining why you couldn’t apply on time, and your application will face significantly higher scrutiny.

What percentage of ANU special consideration applications are approved for medical reasons?

In the 2025-2026 academic year, approximately 78% of all special consideration applications received approval, with medical-related applications showing an 82% approval rate when accompanied by adequate documentation. Applications with documentation from ANU Health Service or ANU Counselling had the highest success rates at 87%, likely because these providers are familiar with the university’s documentation standards.

Can I get an extension longer than 10 working days at ANU?

Yes, extensions beyond 10 working days are possible but require additional justification and typically involve approval from the Associate Dean (Education) rather than just the course convenor. For Honours theses, research projects, or capstone assessments, extensions of up to 4 weeks may be granted for serious circumstances such as hospitalisation or bereavement. Extensions beyond 4 weeks usually require you to apply for a Leave of Absence or Program Leave instead.

Does ANU charge a fee for special consideration applications?

No, ANU does not charge any application fee for special consideration, deferred exams, or assessment extension requests. The university provides this service as part of its commitment to student support and equitable assessment. However, you are responsible for any costs associated with obtaining supporting documentation, such as medical certificate fees from your GP.

What happens if my special consideration application for a final exam is rejected?

If your application is rejected, you have 10 working days to appeal the decision through the ANU Student Complaints and Appeals process. During the appeal, you can submit additional evidence that wasn’t included in your original application. If the appeal is unsuccessful and you don’t sit the original exam or an approved deferred exam, you’ll receive a mark of zero for that assessment component, which may affect your final grade and course completion.

参考资料

• Australian National University. Assessment Rule 2024. ANU Academic Board, updated February 2026. This document outlines the legislative framework governing all assessment practices at ANU, including special consideration provisions and academic integrity requirements.

• ANU Student Administration. Special Consideration Application Guidelines 2026. Published by the Division of Student Administration and Academic Services, this guide provides detailed instructions for students applying through the ISIS portal, including documentation standards and processing timelines.

• ANU Access and Inclusion. Education Access Plans: Eligibility and Registration Process. Updated for Semester 1, 2026, this resource explains the pathway for students with ongoing conditions requiring semester-long assessment adjustments, distinct from the special consideration process.

• Department of Education, Australian Government. Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021. This national framework establishes the student support and wellbeing standards that ANU’s special consideration policy is designed to meet, including requirements for equitable assessment practices.

• ANU Counselling and Wellbeing. Mental Health Support and Academic Adjustments: A Guide for Students. Published March 2026, this resource specifically addresses the intersection of mental health challenges and academic accommodations, including the streamlined documentation process for counselling clients.