You must provide evidence of your requirement for any reasonable academic adjustments. Adjustments will be based on the verified impacts of your condition or carer role, considering the Inherent Academic Requirements for your program. If documentation is provided that is not sufficiently comprehensive, you may only have access to limited supports. Individual circumstances will be considered when your documentation is reviewed by an Ability Adviser.
A Health Practitioner Report (PDF 227KB) should be completed by an Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) qualified professional (or equivalent in other countries). Alternatively, the same information as requested in the Health Practitioner Report can be provided on letterhead, dated and signed by the health professional.
The Guidelines below provide information on documentation needed if you have been diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disorder. Talk to us if you are having difficulty obtaining an assessment.
A Carer’s Documentation Form (PDF 243KB) should be completed by an Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) qualified professional (or equivalent in other countries). Alternatively, the same information as requested in the Carer’s Documentation Form can be provided on letterhead, dated and signed by the health professional. A letter of confirmation from the Department of Human Services regarding your official carer status is also eligible.
Documentation will not be accepted if it is:
- More than six months old for variable health conditions
- A medical certificate with insufficient information
- From a professional who is a member of your family or where there is a personal or business relationship
- From a provider who is not a suitably qualified health professional
- From other institutions outlining prior educational adjustments (although this could be helpful in assessing your needs)
- Not signed or dated
- Not in English
Reporting on temporary or variable conditions must be updated at intervals to be negotiated with the Ability Adviser.
Our Ability Advisers maintain confidentiality and privacy with respect to your documentation and information.
Guidelines for academic adjustments
All documentation must provide details of specific impacts in a learning environment
- Assessment by a neurologist or neuropsychologist
- Assessment by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist
- Assessment by a paediatrician, psychiatrist or psychologist
- Assessment by an audiologist or GP
- Must include type of assistive device/s used (eg hearing aids, cochlear implants etc)
- Assessment by a psychologist
- Must include results of standardised assessment
- Recommendations must be substantiated by test results
(eg Asthma, Cancer, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Diabetes etc)
- Assessment by a medical specialist or GP
(eg Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, PTSD, Schizophrenia etc)
- Assessment by a psychologist, psychiatrist or GP
(eg Brain Tumour, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis etc)
- Assessment by a medical specialist or GP
- For Central Auditory Processing Disorder, assessment by a team including an audiologist with specialised training in assessing this disorder
(eg Amputation, Arthritis, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy etc)
- Assessment by a medical specialist or GP
- Where relevant, assessment by a physiotherapist may assist with identifying functional impacts
- reading (Dyslexia),
- written expression (Dysgraphia) and/or
- mathematics (Dyscalculia)
- Assessment by a psychologist
- Must include data and results of standardised assessment
- Recommendations must be substantiated by test results
- Must have been completed either a) after the age of 16 years, or b) no more than three years ago
- Results from screening tests will not be accepted
- For mechanical based Dysgraphia, assessment by an occupational therapist may also be required
- Assessment by an ophthalmologist, optometrist, GP or Specialist Vision Testing Service (such as Vision Australia Services)
- Must include the extent of vision loss, visual acuity and use of assistive equipment
(eg broken bones affecting mobility or writing ability, surgery affecting study ability etc)
- Assessment by a GP or relevant registered health professional
- Must state the nature of the condition and dates or a timeframe for which the student is expected to be affected by the condition or when the student is due to be reassessed