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Student Resource Guide 2008 Course and Unit information Other key publications
 

Census dates and teaching periods

Each unit of study is offered in a set teaching period. These teaching periods are known as 'semesters', 'terms' or 'trimesters'. The majority of University teaching is offered during the two main semesters (semester one and semester two), but there are also a number of other teaching periods which depend on the course or units you are studying.

Each teaching period has various dates by which you can add a unit and/or discontinue a unit without academic and/or financial penalties. One of the most important dates within a teaching period is the 'census date'. This is the date on which your enrolment is taken to be finalised and withdrawal after such date will incur fee penalties.

For domestic students In Australia who are in a 'Commonwealth-supported place' or are accessing FEE-HELP this is also when HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP debts are incurred, student learning entitlement (SLE) is consumed, and you must make your up-front payments. You must also have submitted your request/s for HECS-HELP and/or FEE-HELP by this date.

It is important to note that, depending on the length of the teaching period, academic penalties may apply for unit discontinuations that occur before the census date:

  • academic penalties can include a notation of 'discontinued' or 'fail' on your academic transcript
  • research students who discontinue prior to the census date will still be liable for fees for the period in which they have been enrolled.

It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of the teaching periods in which your units are being taught, the relevant discontinuation dates and the associated academic and financial penalties.

Further information