Discontinue Not Fail

Introduction
Faculty policy
Steps to follow
See also

Introduction

A grade of DNF carries no academic penalty, but students remain liable for HECS or fees for the unit of study.

Domestic students can request a DNF grade, without providing supporting documentation, up to the appropriate deadline specified by the University. For 2013 the DNF deadlines are 26 April in semester 1, and 13 September in semester 2.

International students will need to provide supporting documentation in all cases where they are applying for a DNF grade.

A DNF result applied after the DNF deadline specified by the University should always be considered exceptional and a last resort where other methods of special consideration may not, or cannot be applied. The circumstances must therefore be exceptional, long term, documented and unknown or unforeseeable at the point of time for variation without penalty. Students may only apply for DNF grades due to the sudden onset of severe and ongoing illness or misadventure that could not have been reasonably foreseen, and which prevents the student from continuing their studies.

Applications for a DNF on the basis of severe long-term illness or misadventure must normally be made within 2 weeks of the end of the teaching period in the semester in which a DNF is sought. Late applications for DNF will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Students must submit appropriate supporting documentation with their application for DNF. (Please see the Faculty’s Policy and Procedure for: Application for a late DNF due to illness or misadventure for more information.)

DNF grades are not available to students who have attempted and failed assessment tasks in the unit of study for which DNF is sought. Discontinuation of studies with a grade of DNF is not intended to allow students who have failed a unit of study to have this result removed from their academic record.

Students experiencing single or occasional instances of illness or misadventure that affect their studies are not eligible for DNF, but may be eligible for 'Special consideration' arrangements.

Please note: Please do not use this form If you wish to apply for a DNF for a unit of study undertaken in Summer School or Winter School, you will need to apply directly to Summer School. For more information, please contact the Summer School.

Faculty policy

The procedures for making an application for a discontinue not fail (DNF) grade after the census date are set out in the Faculty’s Policy and Procedure for: Application for a late DNF due to illness or misadventure.

Steps to follow

Students applying for a DNF before the deadline specified by the University.

• Domestic students must complete an enrolment variation request form and submit it to Student Services prior to the deadlines specified by the University.
• International students must apply to take a reduced load and submit it to Student Services prior to the deadlines specified by the University, and must provide documentation that demonstrates they have compelling or compassionate circumstances (e.g. serious illness or misadventure).

Students applying for a DNF after the deadline specified by the University.

• Students should complete the DNF application form and submit their application and supporting documentation to Student Services no later than (2) weeks of the conclusion of the teaching period for the semester for which DNF is sought.
• Students must not wait until the release of results to apply for DNF. All applications for DNF must be made as soon as possible.
• This requirement may be waived if the student applied for special consideration but was unable to undertake a replacement assessment due to the illness or misadventure. In such cases, the student must provide documentation that demonstrates their application was made as soon as possible after missing a replacement examination due to illness or misadventure.
• Student Services may also waive this requirement if a student can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Director of Student Services that it was impossible or unreasonable for the student to lodge their request within this timeframe. In such cases, the student must provide documentation that demonstrates their application was made as soon as possible.
• Students must ensure that they meet the criteria of the policy and attach appropriate documentary evidence (ie professional practitioner's certificate) of illness or misadventure to their application. This evidence must demonstrate that it was impossible or unreasonable for the student to continue their studies.
• Documentation should also demonstrate if a reduced load rather than complete withdrawal from a student’s studies is appropriate.

Please Note: Under some circumstances, students who are granted a grade of DNF after the census date may be eligible for a refund of fees or re-credit of a Fee-HELP balance. Local students should contact the HECS and Domestic Fees Office in the Student Centre about all fee, HECS-HELP and Fee-HELP issues. International Students should contact the International Office.

See also

International office
Special consideration
Student academic progression
Student support services