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25 Sept 2026
Guide
What UOW Accepts as Medical Evidence for Academic Consideration
UOW checks your evidence against your enrolment record and calls the issuer to confirm it. Small mismatches often cause applications to fail.
5 min readMedically reviewedAustralia-wide
The University of Wollongong calls the process Academic Consideration, not special consideration, and applications are lodged through SOLS. UOW never accepts a statutory declaration as evidence for medical grounds, even alongside other documents. Evidence must be in English, must match the name on your UOW record, and must state start and end dates that match what you are requesting. UOW verifies documents with the issuer, and you consent to that when you submit.
What the University of Wollongong Requires for Special Consideration
The name is different, and so is the system. UOW students apply for Academic Consideration through SOLS. If you have been searching for special consideration, that is why you could not find it. The process covers exams, assignments, presentations and compulsory attendance.
A statutory declaration will not work for a medical claim
The Student Academic Consideration Policy is unusually firm: a statutory declaration will not be accepted as documentary evidence for medical grounds, even if accompanied by secondary evidence. If your grounds are medical, you need a medical certificate from a registered GP or an equivalent document from a practitioner you can confirm on the AHPRA register.
Self-certification exists, but only in a narrow window
UOW allows self-certification in limited circumstances, broadly a first application in the session for an individual written assessment where the extension does not exceed three days. Outside that window, documentary evidence is required, and an application without complying evidence will not be forwarded to the Subject Coordinator at all, even if your circumstances would otherwise qualify.
The dates on your certificate have to match your request
UOW requires the evidence to state the start and end dates for which your circumstances are covered, and those dates must match the academic consideration you are requesting. A mismatch is a common reason for a decline. The document must also carry the name you are enrolled under and the date it was written and signed.
UOW will contact whoever issued the document
Once submitted, Student Services verifies the evidence. In submitting it, you consent to UOW contacting the issuer to confirm the document is legitimate, and to information being released to third parties for that purpose. Submitting fraudulent documentation is treated as misconduct and may be referred to police.
Repeated applications trigger a wellbeing referral
If you lodge three or more applications within six months, UOW will refer you to the Head of Students or to support services. This is support rather than a penalty, but it is worth knowing it happens.
Ongoing conditions go elsewhere
Academic Consideration is not intended for managing disability or long-term medical conditions, including psychological conditions. The Office of Student Accessibility handles those.
The four details UOW checks on your document
| Detail | What UOW checks it against |
|---|---|
| Student name | Must match the name on your UOW enrolment record. |
| Date written and signed | The certificate or professional authority must include the date it was written and signed. |
| Start and end dates | Must state the period your circumstances are covered, and that period must match the consideration you are requesting. |
| Supporting detail | Any additional information that may assist your application. |
| Statutory declaration | Never accepted for medical grounds, even alongside other evidence. |
| Language | English, or a certified translation. |
UOW revises its evidence schedule, including what you can self-certify
The self-certification provisions and the documentary evidence schedule sit inside the Student Academic Consideration Policy, which UOW has amended more than once. Check the current policy for whether your assessment and extension length still fall inside the self-certification window before you assume you need a certificate, or assume you do not.
If your grounds are medical, get a proper certificate
A statutory declaration will not work here. Book a consultation and make sure the certificate lists your enrolled name and dates that match the consideration you're requesting. You can also learn more about getting an online GP certificate in Wollongong.
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsFor medical grounds, UOW does not accept a statutory declaration as a substitute for medical evidence. You should provide a medical certificate or other accepted evidence from a registered health practitioner that covers the relevant dates and explains the impact on your assessment.
A limited provision for a first application in the session on an individual written assessment with a short extension. Check the current policy for exact eligibility.
UOW may accept medical evidence from a registered practitioner where it meets the university's current documentation requirements. The telehealth consultation does not, by itself, determine acceptance, so students should check the current UOW policy and the required form or evidence format.
UOW requires supporting evidence showing a student name that matches your university record. If the certificate lists a different name, arrange corrected evidence or update your university record, as appropriate, before submitting your application.
Applications are handled under UOW's policy and privacy obligations. Discuss confidentiality concerns with Student Services.
