Macquarie University's Fit to Sit Rule and What It Means for Your Medical Evidence

Fit to Sit is the rule that decides most Macquarie outcomes

If you attempt or submit the assessment at the scheduled time, you may not be eligible for special consideration at all. Macquarie's special consideration guidance asks students to attempt an assessment only when they are fit to do so. This reverses the instinct many students have: to sit the exam and apply afterwards if it goes badly. At Macquarie, that instinct can cost you the application. Before you apply at Macquarie, it helps to understand what a university medical certificate is expected to confirm.

The Professional Authority Form is how medical evidence is documented

Macquarie uses a Professional Authority Form, completed by a registered health professional, to document evidence of a physical or psychological disruption. Download it before you book your student certificate, and upload it during booking so the GP can complete it in the consultation. UOW takes a different approach and may contact the GP who issued a UOW medical certificate to confirm it is genuine.

Five working days, and the clock starts at the assessment

The Macquarie Special Consideration Procedure requires the application to be lodged before, or no later than five working days after, the assessment due date, examination or test date. Macquarie aims to communicate an outcome within five working days of receiving the application and all necessary evidence.

A short extension needs no reason and no evidence

Macquarie offers a Short Extension of up to three extra calendar days for eligible assessments, with no reason or evidence required. If three days solves your problem, you may not need a certificate. Check whether your assessment is eligible first.

Evidence must be original and independent

Macquarie requires original, independent documentary evidence in the prescribed format. It must clearly describe how the circumstances affected your capacity for study in relation to that assessment task, and include the relevant dates.

Keep originals for six months and be ready to produce them in ten days

Students must retain original documentation for six months and supply originals to the University within ten working days of a request.

Providing false documents is treated as misconduct

Macquarie reports suspected fraudulent or misleading documents to its Complaints, Appeals and Misconduct Team, and no special consideration is granted in those cases. Beyond that outcome, presenting a fake medical certificate can also lead to legal action.

Macquarie has changed its lodgement portal, so check before you submit

Macquarie's special consideration route has moved between systems, and its supporting evidence schedule sets out formats that are periodically revised. Confirm the current portal and form version against the Special Consideration Policy before you lodge.

Get the form completed inside the five-day window

Download the Professional Authority Form, upload it when you book, and have your GP complete it during the consultation. Allow a little extra time after your consult, as the GP completes each section of the form, then signs and stamps it. Given the five working-day deadline runs from the assessment date, the sooner you book, the more room you have. You can also learn more about getting an online GP certificate in Sydney.