Key Points (ECA at a Glance):

As of Semester 2, 2025 (commencing Monday 21 July 2025), the Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA) process has been updated. These changes apply to all Semester 2, 2025 courses but do not apply to Winter Session or earlier courses and are not applied retrospectively.

If you were studying at ANU prior to Semester 2, 2023, you may have heard of either a “deferred examination”, “special consideration”, or “assessment extension” process. As of Semester 2, 2023, these processes no longer exist and have been replaced with the Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA), which has rolled both of these functions into one streamlined process, with some changes.

Key Changes Effective from July 2025:

• Removal of the 20% Rule:
  Students can now apply for an ECA for any assessment task, regardless of its weighting. Previously, ECAs only applied to tasks worth 20% or more.
  
  
• Extension Threshold Clarified:
  You should use the ECA form when requesting an extension of 10 working days or more from the published due date.
  For extensions less than 10 working days, follow your course convenor’s extension process.
  
  
• Faster Deferred Exam Appeals:
  Appeals for deferred exams are now reviewed through a single-stage process, combining procedural and merit review. This reduces the maximum appeal timeline from 40 to 20 working days.
  
  
• Updated Medical Documentation:
  The ECA webpage outlines acceptable medical documentation. A new Health Assessment Form is also available to help ensure the correct documentation is provided.
  
  
• Improved Exam Incident Reporting:
  If something affects your performance during an exam (e.g. illness or disruptions), you should request that the invigilator complete an Exam Incident Report, which can support your ECA submission. Additional supporting documents may still be required.
  
  

An ECA must be submitted within five (5) working days of the assessment due date or exam. If an extension has been granted, the ECA must be submitted within five working days of the revised due date.

You cannot apply for more than one ECA for the same assessment.

It is also important to note that if a deferred exam is approved and new or worsened circumstances prevent you from completing it, you may apply for one further ECA for the same task, however, no additional ECAs will be granted beyond this.

In cases where an assessment cannot be repeated, an alternative assessment may be granted. Furthermore, moreover assessment weighting may be considered when learning outcomes can still be met, though these changes are generally minor and cannot be reversed once applied. Always seek advice from your college before requesting this adjustment.

ANU has published the following examples as grounds for an adjustment to be approved:

• • Medical: e.g. significant illness/injury, significant exacerbation of condition registered in access plan

• • Hardship: e.g. victim of significant crime including family and domestic violence; financial hardship; significant car accident or widespread public transport issues; significant broad spectrum IT issues; sudden, unavoidable primary caring responsibilities

• • Compassionate: e.g. death/sudden serious illness of immediate family member or close friend

• • Elite: e.g. sport or performer event

• • Duties: e.g. essential, military, emergency/volunteer emergency services

• • Disaster: e.g. significant natural disaster/geo-political event

• • Indigenous cultural duties: consistent with the ANU Reconciliation Action Plan. 
    
    

How do I apply for an ECA?

The ECA is an e-form, available through your ANUHub account. Step by step instructions have been published and are available here.

Possible Outcomes of an ECA:

Once an ECA is submitted, there are set outcomes that can be made. These are:

• • Approved: altered assessment due date

• • Approved: deferred examination

• • Approved: alternative assessment

• • Approved: modified assessment weighting

• • Not Approved
    
    

It is important to note that the adjusting of the marks or grades on an assessment item is not a possible outcome. This was a possible outcome for special consideration applications but is no longer possible under the ECA application.

Even if you are applying for an ECA, it can be a good idea to advise your course convenor or college about your circumstances. In some cases, they may even provide you with a longer extension or a quicker outcome than the ECA.

For more information, please see ANU’s webpage on ECAs

If you do not feel comfortable to speak to your college or course convener or have questions about the process or your application, you can contact the ANUSA Student Assistance Team.

Appointments are confidential and can be held either in-person or via Microsoft Teams.

Please feel free to reach out to discuss your situation via the link below or by visiting us on level 2 of the Di Riddell building in Kambri.

 

Click “Contact Us” > Other Support> Select Academic Support as “Type of Support”> Select relevant “Type of Academic Support”