Census dates and academic withdrawal dates explained

What is the difference between the census date and the academic withdrawal date?

Answer ID 187 | Last updated on 18/10/2023 04.54 PM

The Census Date is the last date that you can:

  • withdraw from units without financial penalty
  • submit your HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan forms and/or make any up front payment for your tuition fees (eligible domestic students only).

The Academic Withdrawal Date after the census date and is the last date that you can withdraw from a unit without academic penalty. The unit will still appear on your academic record as withdrawn (WD) but will not affect your Weighted Average Mark (WAM) or Grade Point Average (GPA).

If you withdraw after the Academic Withdrawal Date you will receive an FN grade (Failure due to non-completion of a unit) on your official Statement of Academic Record, which is equivalent to 'zero' and does affect both your WAM and GPA.

Standard & Non-Standard Teaching Periods
All teaching periods have their own Census Date and Academic Withdrawal Date. The dates for non-standard teaching periods vary from that of standard semesters. To find the specific dates for your units view the Teaching Periods, Census and Withdrawal dates. Please check your enrolment on studentConnect to confirm the teaching periods in which you are enrolled.

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