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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some questions that you may have about the Students at risk program.

I have received a letter notifying me that I am considered to be a student at risk. Why am I considered a student at risk?

If you didn’t complete more than half your units of study last semester; didn’t attend the classes that you were required to; failed a subject for the second time, didn’t complete a subject; had an unsatisfactory WAM, or are running out of time for your degree, chances are you will be considered to be at risk of not completing your degree course.

What is the students at risk program?

The students at risk program targets students who are having trouble progressing through their degrees and provides them with relevant support services that will help them get through their chosen course. The program is all about early intervention, so students who are displaying signs that they are struggling to get through their degree are identified every semester and advised of their status. Students who are identified as being at risk will be monitored until they complete their degrees.

What should I do if I am identified as a stage one student at risk?

Don’t despair that you are considered to be ‘at risk’ - try and see this as a good opportunity to think about what could be causing your academic performance to fall below a satisfactory level. Are you enjoying the degree that you have chosen? Are you lacking study skills or essay writing skills? Are you experiencing difficulty adjusting to University life? Have you overloaded on the number of credit points that you are enrolled in? Does your financial situation interfere with your study time? Do you have an illness or have to care for someone who suffers from an illness? Do you experience language difficulties? Filling in the Staying on Track Survey can help you identify what may be having an impact on your results. Refer to the rear page of this booklet for a list of services available to you in the University. It may also be helpful to speak to an academic advisor in your faculty.

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Why did the University develop the students at risk program?

The University launched the students at risk program out of concern for the educational welfare of its students and as a way of exercising a duty of care. The program helps students find useful services within the University and it also helps the University find students who are too shy to tell their lecturers that they are having problems, or who would not think of speaking to a faculty member about their difficulties for other reasons. The program also makes it clear to students what the requirements are for progression through a degree, and ensures that students understand where they sit in the program. The program is intended to reduce the number of students excluded from the University and complies with the recent changes to the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act.

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How was I identified as a student at risk?

Your faculty ran a report from information in the student system and you appeared on it as not meeting the faculty’s specified progression requirements.

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When do Faculties run reports to identify students at risk?

At risk reports are generated by the faculty at the end of every semester, once results for the semester have been processed.

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What happens if I am identified as a student at risk and I have a show cause history?

If you have a show cause history in your degree and you are identified as a student at risk, you will proceed to stage three of the student at risk program. The faculty will ask you to show cause again.

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How will the information regarding my student at risk status be stored?

If the faculty identifies you as a student at risk, the faculty will create a progression profile for you and this will be stored on your student file. All correspondence, including your status in the various stages of the program and your level of participation in the staying on track program will be documented here. You should note that this information will only be accessed by authorised staff of the University and will be treated confidentially.

If you proceed to stage three of the student at risk program and are asked to show cause, the faculty could use the information in your progression profile to come to decisions about your enrolment. You can use this information too to demonstrate that you have taken advice and accessed services.

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How many chances will I get before I am excluded?

There are four stages in the program for undergraduate students and three for postgraduate coursework students. You will have opportunities to improve your academic performance throughout the program.

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I have been asked to fill in a Staying on Track Survey. Who is this for?

The Staying on Track Survey features questions that are designed to help you reflect on issues that may be impacting on your academic performance. You do not need to submit the survey to your Faculty, it is for self-reflection only.

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I’ve been asked to attend a Staying On Track Information Session, what is this about?

The Staying on Track Information Sessions introduce students to the various support services within the University. The sessions explore some of the main issues students face during their degrees, for instance, the variety of study problems that students face and the difficulties of balancing the demands of study, work, family and relationships. Topics include: time management, essay writing, health and wellbeing, help for international students and much more. The sessions aim to develop students’ skills to successfully complete their degrees.

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Will the Staying On Track Information Sessions only be open to ‘students at risk’?

The Staying on Track Information Sessions are open to all students. If you have a friend who is struggling with their studies, even if they are passing most subjects, they may wish to attend a session as well.

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I didn’t attend the Information Session, or fill in the Staying on Track survey. Will anything happen because I haven’t done this?

The faculty will not chase you up if you did not meet the requirements of the program. If you miss a Staying On Track Information Session, see an academic advisor in your faculty and they will be able to point you in the right direction of various services available to you within the University. It is important that you demonstrate that you have taken your ‘at risk’ status seriously and that you have tried to bring about an improvement in your academic performance. The faculty will note whether or not you have participated in the program and this information may be used to make decisions about your enrolment in the future if you proceed to a later stage of the program. If you do proceed to a show cause situation, a record of your participation in the earlier stages of the program will show the faculty that you have made active attempts to address your issues.

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I’ve done all I can in the student at risk program, but I can’t change the problems that are affecting my academic performance. What else can I do?

If University services are not helping you to address the problems and you feel as though you have done all that you really can do, remember that you can always withdraw from some units of study or defer from your degree. Taking some time out can be a helpful way of getting perspective, and could give you a chance to address your issues. It is better to withdraw from units of study, or defer for a period if you can, than to be asked to show cause.

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How will I know what stage I am at in the program?

Your letter from the faculty will inform you.

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If I am identified as a student at risk and then I begin to do well, how will I know that I am no longer on the student at risk program?

Records relating to your initial ‘at risk’ status will remain on your student file and your academic record but if you are doing well, you will not appear on a future ‘at risk’ report and therefore will not be required to participate in the program. There is no stigma to having been involved in the program. Many students will be at some stage of their degree.

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I am a postgraduate student and recently received a letter from the faculty informing me that I have reached stage three of the student at risk program and must show good cause. The last I remembered, I was at stage one of the program. How did I skip a stage?

As full-time postgraduate coursework degrees are usually two years or less duration, you proceed directly from stage one to stage three of the program.

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I have been asked to show good cause to the Faculty as to why I should be permitted to re-enrol in my degree. What is good cause?

As stated in the University (Coursework) Rule 2000, good cause means: ‘circumstances beyond the reasonable control of a student’. What could be considered acceptable reasons for show cause include (but aren’t restricted to): serious illness - properly attested; accident or misadventure - properly attested; financial difficulties; inappropriate career/study choices; unsatisfactory study conditions; family/personal relationship problems; difficulties (for new students) adjusting to University life and the responsibilities of being a student.

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Does an exclusion mean that I can’t study in another degree in the University?

An exclusion means that you are excluded from the faculty in which you are enrolled. You have the right to apply to another degree course in another faculty. However admission is subject to the Dean’s approval and your earlier exclusion may be taken into account.

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How does being excluded impact on my International Student Visa status?

If you hold an Australian Student Visa, being excluded from further study constitutes a failure to meet course requirements and is a breach of Mandatory Condition 8202 of your Student Visa. This will have serious implications for your Student Visa status. If you have any queries regarding how your exclusion will impact on your Student Visa you should contact the Compliance Co-ordinator at the International Office: .

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