SEDS & Ongoing Support

If you have a disability, health condition, or eligible ongoing commitment, the University can provide support to help you fully participate in your studies. By registering for ongoing support through Student Equity and Disability Services (SEDS), you may be eligible for reasonable study adjustments tailored to your individual needs. Once registered, you'll receive an Academic Adjustment Plan (AAP), which outlines recommended adjustments such as alternative assessment or exam arrangements, assignment extensions, flexibility with attendance, assistive technology, accessible course materials, or ergonomic furniture. These adjustments are applied on a case-by-case basis and are designed to support your success while maintaining academic integrity and course requirements.

Ongoing circumstances are situations that are likely to impact your ability to study or complete assessments for more than 6 weeks. For example, if you have a known medical condition that may interfere with meeting assessment deadlines or attendance requirements during the semester, you may need to register for ongoing support.

An Academic Adjustment Plan (AAP) outlines recommended reasonable adjustments based on the impact of your circumstances, tailored to support your participation in study. Adjustments may include alternative assessment or exam arrangements, assignment extensions, flexibility with attendance, use of assistive technology, accessible materials, or ergonomic furniture. These recommendations are applied on a case-by-case basis and are implemented in line with faculty guidelines, ensuring academic integrity and course requirements are maintained. Adjustments apply to future assessments only and cannot be applied retrospectively.

A reasonable adjustment is a modification or support put in place to help you participate fully in your studies, without compromising academic integrity or the core requirements of your course. Adjustments are made on a case-by-case basis and may include alternative assessment or exam arrangements, extensions to assignments, assistive technology, accessible learning materials, ergonomic furniture, flexibility with attendance, or support from an academic support worker. What is considered reasonable depends on your individual needs and must align with faculty guidelines and course requirements. To ensure the necessary adjustments can be arranged in time, it’s important to contact Student Equity and Disability Services (SEDS) as early as possible.

To apply for ongoing support, you’ll need to complete an online registration form and submit supporting documentation through the Student Equity and Disability Services (SEDS) website. As part of your application, you must provide relevant documentation, such as a Health Professional Report (HPR), to confirm the impact of your condition on your studies. This information helps the University determine appropriate and reasonable adjustments to support your academic participation.

To prove your eligibility for ongoing support, you’ll need to provide documentation that verifies the impact of your circumstances on your studies. For disability or ongoing medical conditions, including mental health, the preferred document is a completed Health Professional Report (HPR) from a registered practitioner such as a doctor, psychologist, or social worker. If you’re unable to provide an HPR, you can submit a medical certificate or a letter on official letterhead from an accredited treating health professional. Please note that documents such as medical test results, photos of medication or injury, and letters of support from University or College staff (unless from Health or Counselling services) will not be accepted. If your documentation is in a language other than English, you must include a NAATI-accredited translation. For other types of ongoing circumstances—such as caring responsibilities or religious or cultural observances—please refer to the required documents listed on the Student Equity and Disability Services (SEDS) website.

Your Academic Adjustment Plan (AAP) may not automatically last for the entire duration of your studies. The length of time you're eligible for support depends on your individual circumstances. Annual reviews and updates are highly recommended, as course requirements can change from year to year. In some cases—such as changing courses or transitioning to a research-only higher degree—you may be required to re-register and provide updated documentation to ensure your adjustments continue to meet your needs. For more information on this you can visit the University’s information page.

Yes, even if you have an Academic Adjustment Plan (AAP), you may still need to apply for Special Consideration if you experience an unexpected or short-term circumstance that impacts your ability to complete an assessment. AAPs are designed to support ongoing circumstances, such as a long-term health condition, and provide future-focused adjustments. However, if an unexpected event occurs—like a sudden illness or family emergency—that falls outside the scope of your existing AAP, you should submit a Special Consideration application. In some cases, both may be needed if your ongoing condition suddenly worsens or causes an unanticipated impact.