Appeal of an academic integrity outcome

If you would like support regarding an academic integrity breach appeal, we're here to help.

Please note: A new Deakin University Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure will be introduced in 2023. You can access the new Student Academic Integrity Policy here, and the new Procedure here. You can access the Historic Versions of the Policy here, and the Procedure here. Some of this information may not be applicable to you, depending on when you have received your Academic Integrity Allegation. If you are unsure which process and information is right for you, please contact us and we will provide further information and advice. This Academic Integrity Appeals webpage is for the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure, effective 30/07/2021 to 22/01/2023. Once we have further information regarding the new appeals process, this webpage will be updated.

What is an appeal against an academic integrity breach?

• After a Faculty Committee decides the outcome of an allegation of academic integrity breach, they will email you an outcome letter. The outcome letter will include information about how the outcome was reached and information about the possibility of appealing the outcome.

Which Deakin policies apply to the appeals process?

• You can find information about appeals here on the Deakin University Appeals webpage.
• The main procedures relevant to appeals of academic integrity breaches are: the Student Academic Integrity Procedure and the Student Appeals Procedure.
• The Academic Board Regulations (located in the Academic Board Policy) also provide information about the appeals process.

On what grounds can I appeal an academic integrity outcome to a higher committee?

You may appeal to the University Appeals Committee (UAC) against a Faculty Academic Integrity Committee outcome on one or more of the following four grounds:
a) A misapplication of process occurred that resulted in material disadvantage to the student;
b) The decision was manifestly wrong;
c) The outcome imposed by the original decision maker was manifestly excessive, inappropriate or not available in the circumstances;
d) New evidence that was not known or available at the time of the original decision is now available and could have affected the outcome of the decision (Academic Board Regulations, Part 11 Clause 36.3.

How do I lodge an appeal?

If you believe that one or more of the grounds of appeal apply and you want to appeal to the University Appeals Committee (UAC), you can lodge an appeal online here.

You will need to submit:

1. The online Student Appeal application form;
2. A written submission detailing the grounds of your appeal and outlining the case for your appeal (see below for an example written submission);
3. The Faculty Committee outcome letter (i.e. the original decision you are appealing); and
4. Relevant documentary evidence in support of your case (e.g. medical certificate/report, letter of support, statutory declaration, evidence of integrity, etc). All documents must be in English. A certified translation must accompany documents in another language.

Is there a template I can use to write my appeal written submission?

Yes! Please click here to access our appeal written submission template.

When must I lodge an appeal by?

• You have 20 working days from the date of the Faculty Committee’s outcome letter to lodge an appeal.

What happens next?

• The Chair of the UAC will review your appeal application to determine whether you have provided grounds for an appeal.
• The UAC Chair may decide to dismiss your appeal if they find it lacks substance or does not meet the appeal grounds.
• If the UAC Chair decides to hear the appeal, they can either determine the matter on the basis of the written material alone or conduct an oral appeal hearing.
• If an appeal hearing is granted, you will receive at least 5 working days’ notice of the hearing date and time.

What happens at the appeal hearing?

• The appeal hearing will happen in a meeting room on campus or via video-conference or phone.
• Appeal hearings are attended by at least 3 members of the UAC the UAC secretarist.
• The UAC must limit the evidence it hears to matters relevant to the grounds of appeal.
• You will have the opportunity to present your case, focused on the ground/s of appeal that the UAC agreed to hear. You may also respond to any further documents/ statements the Faculty Committee may have provided to the UAC in response to your appeal application. The UAC members will ask you some questions and you may also ask questions.
• If you have a support person at your hearing, they may also be allowed to speak. Your support person can be anyone who is not a practicing lawyer. DUSA Advocates often accompany students to appeal hearings. If you want an Advocate at your hearing, please request this as soon as possible. You can contact us here.

What are the hearing outcomes?

After conducting the hearing, the UAC can decide either to dismiss the appeal or to uphold the appeal in whole or in part.

If they decide to uphold the appeal they then either:

1. Make a new finding,
2. Impose outcomes (from the relevant Schedule of Outcomes), and/or
3. Refer the matter back to the original decision maker to be re-heard in whole or in part (Academic Board Regulations, Part 11 Clause 36.8).

Where the only successful ground of appeal is the outcome (i.e. the penalty) was manifestly excessive/ inappropriate/ not available in the circumstances, the UAC may vary the outcome (penalty) but may not vary the decision of finding the allegation proven.
The decision of the University Appeals Committee is final within Deakin University.

Where can I get further assistance?

A DUSA Advocate can:

• Provide advice on possible grounds of appeal and discuss what you could include in your appeal submission,
• Provide feedback on your draft appeal submission,
• Attend the UAC hearing with you (if a hearing is granted), and
• Provide support and advice during any stage of the appeals process.

Please note that DUSA Advocates experience very busy periods, particularly at the end of each trimester where we need to assist a large number of students, so it is important that you book an appointment to see an Advocate as early as possible. For more information or to speak to an Advocate about your individual situation, please contact us here.

If you are considering an appeal, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a DUSA Advocate for advice that is personalised and specific to your circumstances. While DUSA makes every effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, DUSA expressly excludes responsibility for any errors or omissions.