Student conduct

Know your right and responsibilities

As a student at the University of Canberra, you have certain rights and responsibilities and it is important you understand them.

The Student Charter outlines our expectations of you while you are studying with us as well as what you can expect of the University. If you do not meet these expectations, there may be grounds for a misconduct proceeding under the Student Conduct Rules 2023.

How we deal with misconduct matters

If you have an allegation of misconduct against you, your case will follow the processes outlined in the University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023.

Step 1: How we will handle the conduct

When the University receives reports of alleged misconduct, we will decide if we need pursue the matter further or close the report. If the University finds that the conduct needs further investigation, we will hold a summary inquiry.

If your conduct is to come before a summary inquiry, a formal notice will be sent to your student email at least 10 business days before the inquiry date. The notice will include a clear statement outlining the alleged misconduct, key contact details and information about the summary inquiry process itself.

Step 2: Summary inquiries

A summary inquiry is your opportunity to respond to the misconduct allegations against you. You can choose to engage in the summary inquiry in person or with two business days’ notice by video link or teleconference (if not previously provided) or with five business days’ notice in writing through a prewritten statement. You can also choose not to engage with the summary inquiry at all, but it will still go ahead in your absence. The inquiry will simply use the information available to make its decision.

The University will send the outcome of the summary inquiry to your student email within 10 business days.

Step 3: Appeal process

You can submit an appeal against the outcome of a summary inquiry to the Student Conduct Committee.

For your appeal to be valid, you must:

lodge it in writing within 20 business days of the notice of outcome of the summary inquiry to the Secretary of the Student Conduct Committee
make sure your application states and addresses the grounds for appeal set out in the Student Conduct Rules 2023.
include additional supporting evidence with your request where possible.
To submit an appeal, you must complete the appropriate appeal form, Application for Appeal of Summary Inquiry,
and email it to the Secretary of the Student Conduct Committee.

After you lodge your application, the Chair of the Student Conduct Committee will determine whether you have demonstrated grounds for appeal; if they find you have, they will call a hearing of the Committee. If they find your request invalid, they’ll notify you of this in writing.

The outcome of the Student Conduct Committee is final within the University, but you can choose to lodge a complaint about its decision with the ACT Ombudsman.

You can bring a support person

You do not have to attend a summary inquiry or appeal hearing alone. Another UC student, family member, friend, member of the academic or professional staff of the University or an UC SRC Student Advocacy Officer can accompany you.

A representative can attend, provided that the student has sought and obtained the prior consent of the Prescribed Authority. If you’re experiencing stress during this difficult time, reach out to the University’s support, advocacy and information services.

Reach out if you need help

Formal complaint processes can be stressful, so reach out to our support, advocacy and information services if you’d like help navigating them.

How to report alleged misconduct

Staff, student colleagues or even a member of the public can report a student for alleged misconduct by emailing a contact at the University of Canberra.