The process of academic appeals is called the Student Academic Progress (SAP). SAP follows these steps:

  1. Show Cause Submission
  2. Academic Board Appeal
  3. Ombudsman Appeal
  4. DIAC Appeal
  5. Migration Review Tribunal (MRT)

 

Show Cause Submission

 

Following 2 unsatisfactory semesters in a program, students are asked to ‘show cause’.  Generally, a semester is considered unsatisfactory if half or more courses (subjects) are failed, or if a course is failed for a 2nd time. Low attendance or academic misconduct such as cheating can also lead to having to ‘show cause’. In such cases, the school will send the student an email asking them to explain why they should not be excluded from the program. Students are required to promptly and correctly respond to this letter and explain their circumstances. The board/committee requires a detailed explanation of why academic performance has been unsatisfactory and what steps are being taken to improve performance. Students can include supportive documents to show how external factors have affected their academic performance.

 

If a show cause submission is failed, it becomes much more difficult to achieve an agreeable outcome.  Even though some students do not take this process seriously – if mishandled, consequences may be irreversible.  Satisfactory academic progress is a condition of holding an Australian student visa and failing to remain in good standing can have serious consequences for a student’s current student visa and their future study options in Australia.  Therefore, we highly recommend any student who is requested to go to a hearing seek help from S&W Group’s experienced and professional counselors to review and prepare for a correct and effective show cause submission. Correctly handling a show cause submission is a student’s best chance of avoiding all further consequences, so it must be taken seriously and handled professionally.