Show Cause FAQs

The purpose of the Show Cause process is to allow a student to continue studying without having to lodge an appeal, where there is sufficient evidence of the student’s capacity to successfully complete their degree.  It examines the causes of failure to meet study requirements, determines student fitness to continue study and any remedial courses of action, as required.

  • I’ve been requested to Show Cause – why is that?

    You have received a notification letter requesting you to Show Cause if you are:

    • subject to program termination - having failed a course required for program completion for a second time; or
    • subject to University suspension - having failed a Core Curriculum course for a second time; or
    • subject to University suspension - having failed to make satisfactory academic progress (i.e., failed to achieve a pass grade in at least 50 per cent of your courses) in two consecutive semesters. (This percentage of courses passed is calculated by dividing the total of units of credit of courses for which the student has a pass grade or better, by the total of units of credit of courses for which the student has received an academic grade, in the relevant period (Procedure: Academic Progress 5.4.1.1)).

    If you are requested to Show Cause, you are being given an opportunity to explain your circumstances before the program termination or University suspension is applied.

    The notification letter will usually be sent to students in the week following the release of results (but may be later if you have a deferred examination or grades are on hold for any reason). The notification will be sent via email to your Notre Dame Student email account. Please note the date of receipt is the date the notification to ‘Show Cause’ is sent to your Notre Dame Student email account.

  • Should I have been requested to Show Cause?

    There are some restrictions as to who is eligible to Show Cause. The following are the main situations in which a student would not be granted the opportunity to Show Cause:

    • where they are enrolled in a year-long course;
    • where they have failed a required course for the third time;
    • where they have failed a Core Curriculum course for the third time;
    • where they have failed to make satisfactory academic progress for three consecutive semesters and were previously granted the opportunity to Show Cause.

    If you believe you are eligible to Show Cause and have not been requested to, then you should contact your School immediately for clarification.

  • How do I lodge a Show Cause application?

    To submit your Show Cause application, you will need to complete the online Show Cause Form and attach relevant supporting documentation (if any).

    A completed Show Cause Form must state, at a minimum:

    • what factors prevented you from, as relevant, maintaining satisfactory academic progress or passing the specific course(s); and
    • why you believe you should be permitted to continue studying in your program; and
    • what actions you intend to, as relevant, improve their academic progress and/or pass the relevant course(s).

  • What is ‘relevant supporting documentation’?

    Relevant supporting documentation helps substantiate the information provided in your submission. Supporting documentation can also assist the University to determine if you may be eligible for additional support or alternate processes, such as retroactive withdrawal.

    Relevant supporting documentation may include medical certificates, or copies of correspondence with Staff of the University relative to your situation.

    Your documents can be scanned or be an image (e.g., taken from your phone).

    In some circumstances we may ask to sight the original document or may require a certified document.  You will be informed if this is required.

    If deemed necessary, the decision-maker may request you to provide further supporting documentation. If additional documentation is not submitted within the requested timeframe, the decision-maker reserves the right to determine the outcome of the Show Cause submission in the absence of this documentation.

  • How long do I have to submit my Show Cause application?

    You must submit your Show Cause Form within 10 Working Days (Working Days exclude weekends, Public Holidays, and the University’s Christmas shutdown period) from the date you receive the notice requesting you to Show Cause. The date of receipt is the date the notification letter is sent to your Notre Dame Student email account.

    No late Show Cause submission can be considered once the program termination or University suspension is put into effect after 10 Working Days.

  • How do I request an extension to submit my Show Cause application?

    If you are waiting on the availability of documentation to support your Show Cause application, such as a medical certificate, you should submit your Show Cause Form within the 10 Working Days and indicate when you will be able to provide the supporting documentation. If necessary, your application can be placed on hold while you gather further evidence.

    If you anticipate being unable to submit your Show Cause in the required timeframe due to exceptional circumstances, you may request an extension by writing to the Student Appeals and Policy Coordinator by email to: show.cause@nd.edu.au, as soon as possible to indicate your intention to Show Cause and outline why you are not able to submit the application on time. Evidence of the exceptional circumstances will be required for an extension to be approved.

  • Can I still attend classes while my Show Cause submission is being processed?

    Yes. Please note that if you choose to enrol in one or more courses whilst your Show Cause submission is under review, you are liable for fees and/or charges applicable for the course(s) in which you are enrolled if you do not withdraw prior to the Census Date.

  • Who determines the outcome of my Show Cause application?

    The outcome of your Show Cause application will be determined by the Head of School of the School in which you are enrolled. Additional staff may be consulted if a course failed for a second time belongs to another School, e.g., a Core Curriculum course.

  • What are the possible outcomes from my Show Cause application?

    There are two possible outcomes:

    Upheld – student shows sufficient cause to continue their studies. In this case, the following will occur:

    • you will be allowed to continue your studies in the following semester;
    • you will be granted a third and final attempt at the failed required courses or a Core Curriculum course, as applicable;
    • you may have conditions imposed on your continued enrolment; and
    • subject to program termination or subject to University suspension will not be recorded on your academic transcript;

    OR

    Denied – student does not show sufficient cause to continue their studies.

    Program termination

    • the program termination will be applied and recorded on your Academic Transcript;
    • you will not be granted a third attempt at the failed required course;
    • you will not be allowed to enrol in any program for which the failed course is required; and
    • you will be eligible to apply to change to a program where that failed course is not required.
    • University Suspension
    • the University suspension will be applied and recorded on your Academic Transcript; and
    • you will be suspended from the University for a period of 12 months, after which time you may apply for readmission to the University following the suspension period as per the Procedure: Admissions.

  • Can I appeal if my Show Cause application is denied (or I do not submit a Show Cause within the 10 Working Days)?

    Yes, however, please be aware that as per the Policy: Student Appeals, the grounds for appeal of Program Termination or University Suspension for a student who is requested to Show Cause (and that Show Cause is denied, or a show cause is not submitted) are limited to identifying administrative error or a breach of procedure.

  • Whom can I contact if I have further questions about my Show Cause submission or the Show Cause process?

    The Student Appeals and Policy Coordinator is available if you need assistance with the Show Cause process:

    by email to show.cause@nd.edu.au, or

    by telephone to +61 8 9433 0976

    Once your Show Cause is submitted and if you have not had a response within 10 Working Days you can, at first instance, follow up with your School directly to find out the progress of your Show Cause application.