Extensions for all assessments – including assignments, tests and exams – need to meet Curtin’s detailed criteria. An example of this (for exams) can be found here.
To obtain support for an assessment extension from PACS, your circumstances will need to meet the ‘exceptional circumstances’ referred to in Curtin’s Assessment and Student Progression manual (page 24). Only some of these circumstances are relevant to PACS and therefore assessable as to whether support can be provided for your extension. These are:
- Any mental health related illness or condition;
- Personal unforeseen circumstances resulting in undue stress or hardship;
- Family issues such as an injury, illness or bereavement to a loved one.
Please note: You will need to bring verification of your circumstances before any support can be provided. If you are unsure what qualifies as verification, come along to see the triage counsellor to discuss this with them. However, without such verification, it is unlikely support for your requested extension will be provided.
Please further note: You do not need to attend PACS if any mental health related concerns have already been assessed by a GP or Psychologist external to Curtin University and you have received supporting documentation from them.
As a guide, the following are circumstances PACS does not provide letters of support for:
- Purely medical conditions (please see your doctor for support);
- Commitments to participate in elite sports or emergency services (please obtain verifying documentation from the team/club/organisation you are involved with); or
- Unavoidable and unexpected work commitments (please obtain verification from your employer).
You can find the official application form for assessment extension here.
