Provision for Australian Defence Force Reservists
Overview of support services for reservists
UniSA provides additional support for students that are reservists. If you are looking for an overview of the types of support, the courses tailored to Defence personnel or details on how to enrol please see the Australian Defence Force Reservists information on the Future students website.
Specific details of the support provided to reservists
The university’s Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual details the procedures for support or leave arrangements. The appropriate forms for each situation are available on the Student and Academic Services Forms for students page.
A student who is a volunteer member of the Defence Force Reserve and as such is required to render Reserve service, may apply for adjustments to attendance and assessment requirements.
Students will need to provide Campus Central with a statement signed by an authorised officer of the Defence Reserves detailing the times when Reserve service is to take place. Campus Central will process details of the student’s absence. Learning Connection will negotiate on behalf of students with the Course Coordinators and Program Directors to develop a plan for the approved absence which will not disadvantage the student in terms of any compulsory attendance requirements.
This can include negotiating assessment modifications if unable to attend face-to face classes during their Reserve activity. Students can apply for additional time to complete assessment requirements, on the grounds of being required to render Defence service. Students may apply for special consideration in the end of unit examination on the grounds of being required to render Defence service. An application form must be lodged at Campus Central no later than five working days after the examination date.
Students will need to attach the statement detailing the reservist activity signed by an authorised officer of the Defence Reserves.
Reservists undertaking full-time service whilst studying
UniSA also provides support for reservists who are called upon for full-time service (e.g. as part of a peacekeeping or humanitarian aid operation):
Students should contact Campus Central as soon as possible and provide a statement signed by an authorised officer of the Defence Reserves detailing the dates and times of when they will be rendering Defence service. Course coordinators and Program Directors will be notified of the approved absence which will not disadvantage the student in terms of any compulsory attendance requirements. Learning Connection can assist staff and students with this process.
This can include negotiating assessment modifications if unable to attend face-to face classes during their Reserve activity. Students can apply for additional time to complete assessment requirements, on the grounds of rendering Defence services.
Students may apply for special consideration in the end of unit examination on the grounds of being required to render Defence Services. An application form must be lodged at Campus Central no later than five working days after the examination date. Students will need to attach the statement detailing the reservist activity signed by an authorised officer of the Defence Reserves.
A student whose Defence Reserves service commitments impact negatively upon their attendance and assessment performance may apply for special consideration to withdraw from the course without academic penalty (that is without a grade or fail on their academic record for units being undertaken in the current study period). Students must submit a Drop Classes form to Campus Central prior to the date set for the relevant study period to request a Withdraw-Not Fail grade with no grade point.
Where a student is forced to defer or withdraw from study in order to undertake full-time service, the University will remit the students HECS for the relevant courses, if the withdrawal occurs after the HECS Census date. If the student is enrolled in a full fee-paying course and is forced to withdraw, the University will refund the student's fees for that course. To facilitate this process, students will need to complete the Application for Amendment of Enrolment and Fees in Special Circumstances form.