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Complaints
- Overview
- Before you make a complaint
- Complaints process
- Make a complaint
- Appealing the outcome of your complaint
Appealing the outcome of your complaint
When you receive your written report on the outcome of your assessment or investigation, we will also include information about any right that you have to appeal the decision. Appeals can be made where you believe there has been a failure in due process, as outlined in clause 14 of the Student Complaints Procedures (pdf, 106KB).
‘Due process’ means making decisions according to published University, Academic Board and Faculty rules, policy, procedure and local provisions, as current at the time the decision was made or the action was performed.
You need to submit your appeal within 20 working days of receiving your outcome of the complaint.
Preparing your appeal
You will need to prepare a written appeal letter summarising the alleged failure of due process. You will also need to provide any relevant documents that support your appeal, for example medical certificates, relevant sections of University policy, forms or correspondence received to and/or from the University.
Submit your appeal
To submit an appeal, you need to log in and complete the Complaint outcome appeals form.
You will need to upload your written appeal letter and relevant supporting documents with your application.
What happens next
Your appeal will be considered by the Director, Compliance and Student Affairs. It will be assessed in accordance with the Student Complaints Procedures. You will be notified of an outcome in approximately 20 working days. If an outcome has not been reached in this timeframe, we will contact you about the reasons for the delay, and provide the projected timeframe for consideration of your appeal.
Late appeals
If you require longer than the 20 working days, you need to contact the Student Affairs Unit at sau.appeals@sydney.edu.au before the deadline to request an extension.
You need to provide a reason why you should be granted an extension to submit your appeal and include documents that support your request. If your extension is approved, you will be provided written advice on the new deadline for your submission.
External appeals options
Options for further appeal include complaints to the NSW Ombudsman. The NSW Ombudsman can be contacted at Level 24, 508 George Street, Sydney 2000, by email at nswombo@ombo.nsw.gov.au, or by phone on 02 9286 1000.
Depending on the nature of your complaint, you may also choose to contact a relevant external agency for advice or assistance, such as the Anti-Discrimination Board, the Equal Opportunity Commission and NSW Civil & Administrative Tribunal.
Last updated: 27 October 2022
