Advocacy & Welfare

What is Academic Misconduct?

UNE defines Academic Integrity as the practice of acting with honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility in learning, teaching and research.

Academic misconduct is found when a student breaches the Academic Integrity rules. At UNE, academic misconduct is defined as: “conduct where a student participates in any actions that give themselves or another student an unfair advantage in an assessment task or improperly disadvantages someone else.”

Basically, this refers to actions like plagiarism, cheating by using AI to write the assignment or getting someone else to write the assignment, copying someone else’s work, reusing old assignments (even if they are your own) and not correctly referencing or crediting the work of another author.

UNE sets out specific acts of academic misconduct in the Student Academic Integrity Policy.

How can Advocacy and Welfare help?

Receiving allegations like this can be really scary and really stressful, but before you panic remember that this is exactly why Advocacy and Welfare exist!

Here are 5 simple steps to follow that will help you secure the best possible outcome:

1. Forward the email you received notifying you of the allegation (along with your draft response if you have made a start) to advocacy@une.edu.au

2. Hold tight and don’t respond to the allegation until you’ve heard back from us! We’ll be able to let you know what information you need to gather and what the best approach to your situation is.

3. Start thinking about how you would like to respond. You’ll be given the option of responding in writing or in a meeting (if you’re not sure, we can advise you on this too)

4. Take our suggestions on board as you draft a response or prepare additional materials. Trust us, we’ve been doing this for a long time, and we understand the process.

5. Once we have perfected your response together, it’s time to take action! Make sure you’re aware of when your response is due and keep in communication with us until the matter has been resolved.

Contact Advocacy & Welfare at advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking if you would like some support.

What is behavioural misconduct?

At UNE, behavioural misconduct is anything that contravenes the expectations outlined in the Student Behavioural Misconduct Rules, for college residents this will also include the Residential College Code of Conduct.

It includes actions like discriminatory behaviour, threats of violence, damage to property, creating an unsafe environment, providing information known to be false, and forgery of documents. UNE sets out specific acts of behavioural misconduct in the Student Behavioural Misconduct Rules.

How can Advocacy & Welfare help?

Receiving allegations like this can feel overwhelming and really stressful, but before you panic remember that this is exactly why Advocacy & Welfare exists!

Here are 5 simple steps to follow that will help you secure the best possible outcome:

1. Forward the email you received notifying you of the allegation to advocacy@une.edu.au

2. Hold tight and don’t respond to the allegation until you’ve heard back from us! We’ll be able to let you know what information you need to gather and what the best approach to your situation is.

3. Start thinking about how you would like to address your notice. You’ll be given the option of responding in writing or in a meeting (if you’re not sure, we can advise you on this too)

4. Take our suggestions on board as you draft a response or prepare additional materials. Trust us, we’ve been doing this for a long time, and we understand the process.

5. Once we have perfected your response together, it’s time to take action! Make sure you’re aware of when your response is due and keep in communication with us until the matter has been resolved.

Contact Advocacy & Welfare on advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking if you would like some support.

Our Advocates are trained and have experience helping students through upsetting and difficult situations – we can point you in the right direction for support.

We are here to help you decide what the best course of action is to resolve the issue. We can help you develop a formal, written complaint or even explore other mediation possibilities.

What you should do;

• The first thing to remember is – Never submit a complaint while angry!
• There are no time limits on complaints – we are here for you when you are ready.

Contact Advocacy & Welfare at advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking if you would like some support.

Each trimester UNE sends out emails to students who are not progressing through their course satisfactorily. This might be due to failing units and or withdrawing from units after census date.

This can be a scary and often confusing email to receive from UNE, but we are happy to go through it with you and explain what it means:

• You may simply be offered support
• It may be “highly recommended” that you restrict your enrolment to 1 or 2 units (this is therefore not a restriction just a recommendation)
• You may be restricted to 1 or 2 units
• You may be required to pass all your current units or face exclusion next trimester
• You may be excluded from enrolment for a set period

You will not be required to respond or do anything unless you have been excluded.

There is no right to appeal a probation or restriction.

What you should do if you receive an Exclusion Notice

If you have received notice that you are being excluded for poor course progression we can work together with you on appealing that decision.

It is very important to submit your appeal before the due date and to contact us with enough time to help!

• Don’t panic, we’re here to help you.
• Forward the email you received regarding your Progression to advocacy@une.edu.au
• You will need to start thinking about your draft appeal and gather your supporting documents – we recommend you do not send your appeal without speaking to us.

Contact Advocacy & Welfare on advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking if you would like some support.

Our Advocates have experience helping students present the best case for a Remission of Fees application.

We are on your team, we are here to help you provide the best possible application.

•  If you can demonstrate that extenuating circumstances impacted your ability to complete the unit coursework, you can apply for a Remission of Fees
• You have 12 months after you withdraw or from the end of the trimester, to apply
• Remember that each application relates to one trimester only
• You will need to provide supporting documentation and we can help you figure out what you will need
• Start thinking about your draft (do not send it without us) and gathering your supporting documents

If your application is approved, you will have your fees refunded (either directly or via HECS Help) and you will receive a withdrawal grade instead of a fail grade.

Contact Advocacy & Welfare at advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking if you would like some support.

What is Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty?

Because the census date (the last day to withdraw without financial penalty) comes around pretty early in the Trimester, you might find yourself wanting to drop a unit after the census has passed.

This is where Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty comes in. While dropping a unit after census will still incur a financial liability (meaning you will still be required to pay for the unit), ensuring you make this call before the deadline for Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty means that your GPA won’t be affected and your grade will be noted as ‘W’ for withdrawn rather than ‘N’, which is a fail grade.

If you withdraw after the deadline for Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty you will receive a fail grade. However, if you can demonstrate that extenuating circumstances impacted your ability to complete the unit coursework, you can apply for a retrospective Withdrawal Without Academic Penalty.

How can Advocacy & Welfare support me?

Our advocates can talk you through the process step by step and direct you on how to best prepare your application. Contact Advocacy & Welfare at advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking  if you would like some support.

What is a special extension of time (SET)?

If unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances prevent you from completing assessments on time and you need more than a few weeks, you can apply to have an extension up until the last day of teaching for the following trimester.

You have five days to submit your application from the start of the exam period of the trimester.

How can Advocacy help?

As part of the process of applying for a SET, you will need to draft a personal statement and gather supporting documentation. We can support you by providing feedback to strengthen your personal statement and suggest supporting documentation relevant to your circumstances.

Contact Advocacy & Welfare at advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking  if you would like some support.

What is special consideration?

If unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances negatively impact your academic performance in a trimester, you can apply for an additional 3% of marks to be applied to your final grade.

It is important to note that the additional marks is not applied to the assessment, but to your final grade.

You have five days to submit your application after your last exam or assessment for the trimester.

How Advocacy & Welfare can help?

As part of the process of applying for special consideration, you will need to draft a personal statement and gather supporting documentation. We can support you by providing feedback to strengthen your personal statement and suggest supporting documentation relevant to your circumstances.

Contact Advocacy & Welfare at advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking if you would like some support.

What is a deferred exam (special exam)?

If unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances prevent you from sitting an exam, or from performing as well as you normally would, you can apply to have your exam deferred to the following trimester’s exam period.

You have five days to submit your application after your last exam for the trimester in which you were originally meant to sit the exam. Note that some schools offer early deferred exams, which can be taken early in the following trimester. If available, this will be offered to you after you apply for a deferred exam.

How Advocacy & Welfare can help?

As part of the process of applying for a deferred (special) exam, you will need to draft a personal statement and gather supporting documentation. We can support you by providing feedback to strengthen your personal statement and suggest supporting documentation relevant to your circumstances.

Contact Advocacy and Welfare at advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking if you would like some support.

Our Advocates have experience helping students present the best case for their appeals.

• These are due within 10 working days (2 weeks) of the assessment result
• Remember that the appeals involve individual assessments – not entire units
• Contact us ASAP
• Start to think about how the marking was inconsistent with guidance provided.
• A successful appeal results in an independent re-mark

Contact Advocacy & Welfare at advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking if you would like some support.

Who can apply for the Student Emergency Assistance Fund?

The Student Emergency Assistance Fund is a one-off payment from Scholarships that provides students experiencing financial hardship with quick response grants.

To apply, you must be a current UNE student and be able to demonstrate that financial hardship is impacting your ability to study. This applies to students experiencing natural disasters, family circumstances, medical emergencies or other unforeseen, one-off, problems.

How do I apply?

Simply fill in this online form to start the process. One of our Advocates will be in touch and walk you through the process step-by-step.

Please be aware that you will be required to provide supporting documentation and an outline of why you need the funds and how they will help you to continue studying at UNE.

Contact Advocacy & Welfare at advocacy@une.edu.au or 6773 3116 or make a booking  if you would like some support.

If it is not a service we directly accommodate or advocate for, we can help direct you to other resources and services that can.

Some things we can direct you to are:

• Centrelink
• Emergency Grants
• Accommodation Options
• Health Centres and Resources

If you find yourself needing some support during your studies, we can direct you to the UNE service that you need, or even walk you through how to book an appointment with them.

• Mental Health Support 
• Academic Skills Office 
• Student Accessibility & Wellbeing Office 
• URGENT Mental Health Support (Available 24/7). Call 1300 661 927 OR text 0488 884 169

The ATO’s community-based Tax Help program is a free and confidential service open to people earning about $60,000 or less each year.

From mid-July to October, ATO-trained volunteers can help you lodge your return, claim a refund of franking credits, submit a non-lodgement advice or lodge an amendment.

Tax Help volunteers are available in person at tax centres across Australia, online and by phone, so you can get help even if you live in a rural or remote location.

For more information about the Tax Help program, visit ato.gov.au/taxhelp or call 13 28 61.

Tax Assistance for UNE Students

Advocacy & Welfare is a registered Tax Help centre.

Our team can help you complete and submit your tax return. Please reach out to us to make an appointment.

Things to know;

• Appointments will be online with a Tax Help Volunteer, via Teams
• Please call the office on 02 6773 3116 to book an appointment

For more information, please visit our dedicated Tax Help page.