Appeals and complaints
- Appeals and Complaints
- Appeal against certain administrative decisions taken by the University
- Lodge a complaint if they feel they have been wrongly treated by the University or its staff members.
- Refusal to grant a refund of tuition fees or deposit
- Imposing a late fee for overdue tuition fees
- Cancellation of enrolment for non-payment of fees
- Cancellation of enrolment for unsatisfactory academic progress (exclusion)
- Academic Results (Grades)- Special Consideration and Assessment Review
- Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Failure to pay tuition fees
- Discipline or academic misconduct
- Advice about Visa Implications, refer to International student services (UTS International).
- Advice about lodging complaints, refer to UTS Equity and Diversity Unit.
- Alternatively you can refer to the Student Ombud.
Appeals and Complaints
This page contains information on appeals and complaints for international students.
All UTS students have the right to:
International students should also be aware of the implications of University decisions for their enrolment and student visa status. See more on cancellation or suspension below.
International students should familiarise themselves with the relevant rules, and with their rights and responsibilities as international students.
If you wish to lodge an appeal or complaint you can get advice on how to proceed.
Appeals
An appeal is a formal opportunity for a student to have an academic or administrative decision reconsidered by the University. Such decisions include:
Fees
Appeals against fees decisions should be made to the Fees Office, Student Administration Unit. More information about fees matters can also be found on the Fees Office website.
Academic Results and Academic Progress
More information on appealing academic and progression decisions can be found on the Student Administration Unit website.
Academic and Non-Academic Misconduct
Inquiry into academic misconduct in assessment tasks or faculty-run examinations is handled by the faculty. Inquiry into formal examination misconduct is handled centrally (by the Registrar). In general, inquiry into non-academic misconduct is handled centrally. Students will be informed of the appeal requirements if they are found guilty of misconduct.
Further information about misconduct matters can be found on the Governance Support Unit, Student Discipline and Appeals website.
Cancellation or Suspension of Enrolment
In some circumstances the University has the right to cancel or suspend your enrolment. These circumstances include:
Visa Status
If your enrolment is cancelled or suspended the University must report this to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). You will need to contact DIAC to determine your visa status.
If your enrolment is cancelled for failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress then you cannot be reported to DIAC until any external appeal processes have been exhausted.
Appealing against cancellation or suspension of enrolment
If the University indicates that it intends to cancel or suspend your enrolment, then you have the right to appeal. By law, you must be given 20 working days to lodge your appeal.
Note that you may not be permitted to enrol in classes while your appeal is being considered.
Further appeals
If your initial appeal is unsuccessful, you have the opportunity to appeal further if you believe that the appeal process was unfair or not conducted in accordance with UTS rules and policies. To do so, you should contact the UTS Student Ombud.
If you are unsatisfied with the findings of the Student Ombud, you are also entitled by law to lodge a complaint to the NSW Ombudsman.
Complaints
Students have the right to lodge a formal complaint if they feel they have been unfairly treated by the University or its staff and they have been unable to resolve the grievance or dispute informally. Detailed advice on lodging a complaint can be found on the Equity and Diversity Unit Student Complaints website.
If you are unsatisfied with the resolution of your complaint, you should contact the Student Ombud.
If you are unsatisfied with the findings of the Student Ombud, you are also entitled by law to lodge a complaint to the NSW Ombudsman.
Further Information and Advice
Further information and advice on lodging appeals and complaints can be obtained from these areas:
The UTS Students' Association is an organisation run by students, for students and is independent of the University. They employ professional Advocacy Officers who give free advice and assistance to students on a confidential basis.
Accessing any of the University's complaints and appeals processes does not remove your right to access independent legal remedies to solve disputes with the University.
