How to raise a concern or issue

Find out what to do if you are experiencing an issue that you wish to raise with the University.

The University considers addressing concerns and complaints by students to be an important part of the University’s commitment to continuous review and improvement.

See below the processes, policies and services available at the University to help you seek a resolution.

  • Issues related to another student's conduct
  • Issues related to a staff member's conduct
  • Issues related to the quality of teaching or supervision
    • I want to raise a concern about the content of an academic program or the nature and quality of teaching and assessment that I experienced.
      Contact your subject coordinator in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with their response you may escalate the matter to the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) or equivalent in the Faculty that teaches the subject.
      See also Courses, Subjects, Awards and Programs Policy
      Students who are not satisfied with the Faculty response to their concerns may escalate their complaint to the Academic Registrar, who will seek to have the matter considered by the Provost in light of the Faculty response to the particulars of the complaint.
    • I want to raise a concern about the nature of an assessment task.
      Contact your subject coordinator in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you may escalate the matter to the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning), or equivalent, in the faculty or school in which the subject is taught.
      See also Assessment and Results Policy
    • I want to dispute a mark or the outcome of an assessment task or an exam result.
      Should you wish to have work remarked, or if you have grounds to appeal a mark or grade, you may seek to do in the first instance through your course coordinator or the academic staff member who assessed the work as listed in the LMS or the Handbook for the subject for that teaching period. See https://ask.unimelb.edu.au/faq/2910/seeking-a-review-of-a-result/
      If the dispute is not resolved you may escalate the matter to the Head of School, Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning), or Dean of the Faculty in which the subject is taught.
      See also Assessment and Results Policy
      Please note that decisions based on academic judgement are not subject to the student complaints process. See section 2.2(a) of the Student Complaints and Grievances Policy.
    • I want to seek a review of the outcome of an eligible special consideration application.
      To seek a review of the decision to offer a particular adjustment outcome contact Student Equity and Disability Services at Stop 1 who will review your request in consultation with the teaching Faculty that provided the outcome. See section 4.136 of the Assessment and Results Policy
      If your concerns are not resolved, and you can demonstrate grounds for an appeal, you may do so within 20 business days of the date of the Faculty decision by following the procedure for Student Appeals to the Academic Board Instructions on how to submit appeal can be found at the linked website.
  • Issues related to quality of service
  • Issues related to administrative support
    • I want to raise a concern about the outcome of an administrative process (e.g. an exchange or study abroad application).
      Raise your concerns and attempt to resolve the matter informally at the service delivery point (e.g. Stop 1). If you are unable to resolve the matter informally, and you wish to seek a review of a decision and are able to demonstrate that you have grounds for a review, you may submit a complaint.
      See also Student Complaints and Grievances Policy.
    • I want to seek a review of the outcome of my Special consideration application.
      If your Special consideration application has been deemed ‘ineligible’ for consideration you may seek a review of the outcome. See Seeking a Review at the following website. You will be required to demonstrate that you have grounds for review of that decision.
    • I want to raise a concern about an education adjustment granted through my Registration for ongoing support.
      Please raise your concerns about the decision to offer a particular adjustment by contacting Student Equity and Disability Services through Stop 1.
      Please note, adjustments granted for ongoing support are based on academic decisions, which are not normally subject to review through administrative processes.
      See also Student Complaints and Grievances Policy and the Student Union Advocacy Service.