TABL5575 Tax Policy - 2018

Subject Code
TABL5575
Study Level
Postgraduate
Commencing Term
Semester 1
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
6
Delivery Mode
Online
School
Taxation & Business Law

1. Course Details

Summary of Course

​This tax policy course uses an applied tax policy approach. You are given a framework for your work but you learn by doing. It is problem oriented and you are assessed predominantly on your own research.

To function effectively as a significant player in a sophisticated and fast changing tax system you need an adequate grasp of the basic tools of policy analysis. The essence of this course is skills development and, in particular, the skills to think clearly and critically about the real-world outcomes of ‘technical’ tax decisions and to locate those decisions in the bigger picture.

Equally to place tax policy decisions in a tax ‘technical’ context. The materials are selective and targeted in their approach. They give participants the tools to evaluate the practical outcomes of tax decisions in terms of economic, income distribution, political and institutional outcomes.

The practical, ‘hands-on’ nature of the course brings larger policy issues down-to-earth and provides a structured opportunity to apply policy tools to ‘live’ practical tax problems.

The major assessment is based on research which is modelled largely on issues raised through the materials and in group research projects. Your research must reflect a session of work on these materials.

The study guide for Tax Policy comprises seven modules:

  • Module 1: Australian tax system
  • Module 2: Economic efficiency
  • Module 3: Equity
  • Module 4: Political and institutional dimensions
  • Module 5: Taxation design in an open economy
  • Module 6: Income and capital taxes
  • Module 7: Domestic consumption and production taxes

Teaching Times and Locations

Please note that teaching times and locations are subject to change. Students are strongly advised to refer to the Class Timetable website for the most up-to-date teaching times and locations.

View course timetable

Course Policies & Support

The Business School expects that you are familiar with the contents of this course outline and the UNSW and Business School learning expectations, rules, policies and support services as listed below:

  • Program Learning Goals and Outcomes
  • Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
  • Student Responsibilities and Conduct
  • Special Consideration
  • Protocol for Viewing Final Exam Scripts
  • Student Learning Support Services

View course Policies and Support

Course Aims and Relationship to Other Courses

​The objective of this course is to give a grounding in the tools of tax policy analysis. It is essentially an applied tax policy course which concentrates on developing tools capable of day-to-day application in critically evaluating and solving typical tax problems. It gives you the opportunity to evaluate critically the utility of various policy tools in the resolution of tax problems.

More specifically, this course:

  • concentrates on the development of robust policy formulation and implementation skills with an emphasis on applying those skills to typical tax problems

  • provides a knowledge base to facilitate a systematic approach to evaluating the outcomes of tax decisions, including introduction to relevant economic and distributional concepts for tax analysis

  • develops critical understanding of key concepts and institutions relevant to policy application, including an overview of the Australian tax system and an understanding of its political and institutional context

This course is compulsory for Master of Taxation candidates and will normally be attempted in the final session of the course. It is run as a research course.

This course is a component of a coherent academic program designed to produce a tax professional with the education, skills and critical faculties appropriate to a Masters graduate of a first tier university. Earlier postgraduate courses provide knowledge of technical tax issues and a critical understanding of the main tax problems.

This course focuses on providing the extra policy dimension and critical perspectives required by serious tax decision makers.

This course is designed to give you the tools and the structured environment to stand back and develop a broader critical understanding of the Australian taxation system and to apply those skills in your own research on current tax problems.

Student Learning Outcomes

The Course Learning Outcomes are what you should be able to DO by the end of this course if you participate fully in learning activities and successfully complete the assessment items.

The Learning Outcomes in this course also help you to achieve some of the overall Program Learning Goals and Outcomes for all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students in the Business School. Program Learning Goals are what we want you to BE or HAVE by the time you successfully complete your degree (e.g. ‘be an effective team player’). You demonstrate this by achieving specific Program Learning Outcomes - what you are able to DO by the end of your degree (e.g. ‘participate collaboratively and responsibly in teams’).

For more information on Program Learning Goals and Outcomes, refer to the course Policies and Support.

The following table shows how your Course Learning Outcomes relate to the overall Program Learning Goals and Outcomes, and indicates where these are assessed (they may also be developed in tutorials and other activities):

Program Learning Goals and Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes Course Assessment Item
This course helps you to achieve the following learning goals:

On successful completion of the course, you should be able to:

This learning outcome will be assessed in the following items:

1. Knowledge

Demonstrate a critical understanding of key concepts and institutions relevant to policy application, including an overview of the Australian tax system and an understanding of its political and institutional context.

Balance an economics perspective against tax technical issues and demonstrate the capacity to think outside the narrow, legal confines of a problem and across traditional disciplines.

Demonstrate skills required for independent and reflective learning through regular self-assessment opportunities in course modules and further extended in class discussions.

Module Activities

Conferences

Assignments

Examination

2. Critical thinking and problem solving

Demonstrate a knowledge base (including relevant economic and distributional concepts for tax analysis) which will enable you to take a systematic approach to evaluating the outcomes of tax decisions.

Apply a critical framework and a set of practical tools for analysing tax policy issues and applying policy concepts to practical, real world problems.

Module Activities

Assignments

Examination

3a. Written communication

Demonstrate clear, effective and well-reasoned analysis of specific tax policy issues.

Assignments

Examination

3b. Oral communication

Not specifically addressed in this course.

Not specifically addressed in this course.

4. Teamwork

In cooperation with peers, apply policy tools to ‘live’ practical tax problems.

Group Research Project and Reflection

5a. Ethical, social and environmental responsibility

Demonstrate a critical approach to material presented and evidence of original and independent thought taking into account the various perspectives presented in the course.

Think clearly and critically about the Australian tax system and to locate ‘narrow, technical’ issues in the bigger picture.

Assignments

Module Activities

Examination

5b - Social and cultural awareness

Not specifically addressed in this course.

Not specifically addressed in this course.

2. Staff Contact Details

Position Title Name Email Location Phone Consultation Times
Lecturer-in-ChargeProfNeil WarrenRoom 2054G Level 2, Quadrangle Building+61 2 9385 9542By Appointment
When you contact staff by email, please:
  • Use your University (not personal) email address
  • Specify the course TABL5575 as appropriate; and
  • Sign off by using your name and student identity number.

3. Learning and Teaching Activities

Approach to Learning and Teaching in the Course

How to Use These Study Materials

If you are new to flexible learning you should carefully read this Course Outline. It contains most of the relevant information about how this course will be run and the expectations of you as a student. You should also refer to the Suggested Study Schedule as a guide to completing your coursework. So as to get the most out of your study we recommend that you follow this study schedule through the course and fit various time demands into a well-organised diary. Systematic study through the Semester is the key to success in a flexible learning program.

The Study Guide (which includes this Course Outline and the individual Modules and is sometimes referred to as the study materials or course materials) can help you in three ways.

  1. It sets out a clear path of study over the Semester and helps you plan your workload. It also identifies learning outcomes and key concepts at the start of each module and provides a series of activities to help you learn actively and manage your own progress through the course.

  2. It contains the core content for the course (often with reference to legislation, textbooks and other relevant material). The structure and layout of the Study Guide is designed to highlight key points and assist your revision for assignments, research papers and examinations.

  3. It tells you when to refer to textbooks, legislation and other readings, giving precise details of what you should read.

Features of the Study Guide

Each module includes a range of features to assist you in managing your learning and developing study skills. These features include:

  • Overview page
  • Heading levels
  • Learning outcomes and key concepts
  • Module text
  • Activities and feedback
  • Readings
  • Margin notes
  • Instructional icons

Tax Distance Course Student Guide

The Tax Distance Course Student Guide is a vital source of information for students studying flexible learning courses. It provides administrative and other information specific to studying these courses and you should make a point of being familiar with its contents. You can access the 2018 Tax Distance Student Guide from your Moodle course website(s).

Webinars

Throughout this course, you will have the opportunity to attend live webinars (conducted over the Internet). Instructions on preparing for webinars are available on the Taxation & Business Law website and in your course Moodle website.

These webinars provide an opportunity for you to clarify and extend your understanding of the material in this course. They are designed to try out new ideas and give you a forum to ask questions and discuss issues with your lecturer and other students. Do not be afraid to participate—it is only by trying out new ideas and exploring their dimensions that you will learn in any real depth.

Thorough preparation is essential if you are to gain maximum benefit from a webinar. You can only start to come to grips with material if you work on it actively. As a general rule, each webinar will cover the module/s between the previous webinar and the week it falls within on the Suggested Study Schedule. However, more specific information on material to be covered in each webinar may be provided via Moodle throughout the Semester. Exact dates and times for Webinars will be advised via a timetable that you will find on Moodle and on the TBL Website (under Timetables).

There are six webinars scheduled for this course during the Semester. Each webinar is of approximately one and a half hours’ duration.

Remember webinars are not lectures—your active participation is an important part of the learning experience and preparation for examinations!

Learning Activities and Teaching Strategies

​Learning Activities in this course are undertaken through a combination of Webinars, a collaborative research project, an individual research paper, self-reflection and a final written exam.  The benefit to students from this mixed learning approach is that they experience a rounded approach to the learning experience, some through instruction, some through collaboration and others where the individual assumes responsibility.

As a result, the teaching strategy adopted is not only focused on learning the subject matter for the course but ensuring students also critically review their own learning experience and interaction they have with other students.  As a result, this course has an assessable component which reflects student participation in Peer Review of Group projects but also an Individual Reflection on how they feel they have performed and benefited from involvement in the collaborative project.  

The teaching strategies adopted therefore involves a number of mechanisms design to enhanced the learning experience and to ensure students maximise the benefit arising from both the learning experience and from the subject matter of this course.

5. Course Resources

Prescribed text:

There is no prescribed textbook for this course. However, it is strongly recommended that you download from the OECD iLibrary website (accessible through the UNSW Library), the following OECD e-publications:
  • Tax and the Economy: A Comparative Assessment of OECD Countries, OECD Tax Policy Studies No 6, 2001.
  • Revenue Statistics 1965-2016
  • Consumption Tax Trends 2016
  • Taxing Wages 2015-16
You should also access the following report, which is referred to throughout the course:
The Government’s response is available from the following links and should be read in conjunction with AFTS Final Report:
In October 2011, the Government convened a Tax Forum in Canberra where invited participants discussed the Final Report, the Government’s response and the direction of necessary future reforms. The discussion and relate papers can be accessed Here.
In 2013, the Commonwealth Government committed to releasing reports on Reform of the Federation and a Tax White Paper before the 2016 election. Make sure you regularly review the following two websites for relevant press releases and issues papers:
See Appendix 2 of the 2014 Final Report of the Financial System Inquiry which details “tax observations” for “consideration by the Tax White Paper”.
Also, a relevant reading is the 2013 Treasury paper on Tax Policy Formulation in Australia which can be downloaded from:
EU reports on recent tax reforms in the EU available at:

These various publications are important references for this course. Other publications on the AFTS and Treasury website should also be of interest.

An additional reference which is probably the most comprehensive reviews of tax reform issues has been that undertaken by the IFS Mirrlees Review. This review provides both an academic and practical perspective on a broad range of necessary future tax reforms (including GST).

Additional readings are also included in your study materials and others are freely available from the internet. Do not forget that taxation issues concern more than just taxation authorities or Treasuries. Most industry associations also have a significant interest in taxation issues.

Citation and Style Guide

In presenting written work for assessment in this course you must use an appropriate and consistent style for referencing and citation. The following is a selection of acceptable citation and style guides, which you may use as the basis for your written work. You must purchase or have access to one of the following publications.
Australian guide to legal citation (Melbourne University Law Review Association & Melbourne Journal of International Law, 3rd ed, 2010).
(This is free to download and is the citation style guide used by the majority of Australian legal journals.)
  • Rozenberg P, Australian guide to uniform legal citation (Sydney: Lawbook Co, 2nd ed, 2003).
  • Stuhmcke A, Legal referencing (Sydney: LexisNexis, 4th ed, 2012).

Electronic Databases:

The UNSW library subscribes to several electronic databases. The UNSW library database.

The website for this course is on Moodle.

6. Course Evaluation & Development

​The School of Taxation & Business Law’s quality enhancement process involves regular review of its courses and study materials by content and educational specialists, combined with feedback from students. Towards the end of the Semester, you will be asked to complete an online myExperience survey via Moodle to evaluate the effectiveness of your course lecturer and the actual course content. Your input into this quality enhancement process through the completion of these surveys is extremely valuable in assisting us in meeting the needs of our students and in providing an effective and enriching learning experience. The results of all surveys are carefully considered and do lead to action towards enhance the quality or course content and delivery.

7. Course Schedule

Week 1: 26 Feb
Topic

Australian tax system

Assessment/Other

Webinar 1

Week 2: 05 Mar
Topic

Australian tax system

Week 3: 12 Mar
Topic

Economic efficiency

Assessment/Other

Webinar 2

Week 4: 19 Mar
Topic

Economic efficiency

Assessment/Other

1. Submission of Synopsis (Monday)

2. Research Group 1 email Draft Report to Lecturer (Mon)

3. Moodle commentary on Groups 1’s Report (Fri)

Week 5: 26 Mar
Topic

Equity, Simplicity and institutional dimension

Assessment/Other

Webinar 3

1. Research Group 2 email Draft Report to Lecturer (Mon)

2. Moodle commentary on Groups 2’s Report (Fri)

Mid Semester Break: 02 Apr
Week 6: 09 Apr
Topic

Equity, Simplicity and institutional dimension

Assessment/Other

1. Research Group 1 email Final Report to Lecturer (Mon)

2. Research Group 3 email Draft Report to Lecturer (Mon)

3. Moodle commentary on Groups 3’s Report (Fri)

Week 7: 16 Apr
Topic

Income and Capital Taxes

Assessment/Other

1. Research Group 2 email Final Report to Lecturer (Mon)

2. Research Group 4 email Draft Report to Lecturer (Mon)

3. Moodle commentary on Groups 4’s Report (Fri)

Week 8: 23 Apr
Topic

Income and Capital Taxes

Assessment/Other

Webinar 4

1. Research Group 3 email Final Report to Lecturer (Mon)

2. Research Group 5 email Draft Report to Lecturer (Mon)

3. Moodle commentary on Groups 5’s Report (Fri)

Week 9: 30 Apr
Topic

Income and Capital Taxes

Assessment/Other

1. Research Group 4 email Final Report to Lecturer (Mon)

2. Research Groups 6 & 7 email Draft Report to Lecturer (Mon)

3. Moodle commentary on Groups 6 and 7’s Report (Fri)

Week 10: 07 May
Topic

Corporate Tax

Assessment/Other

1. Research Group 5 email Final Report to Lecturer (Mon)

2. Research Group 8 email Draft Report to Lecturer (Tue)

3. Moodle commentary on Group 8 Report (Fri)

Week 11: 14 May
Topic

Corporate Tax

Assessment/Other

Webinar 5

1. Research Groups 6 & 7 email Final Report to Lecturer (Mon)

2. Individual Research Paper (Mon)

Week 12: 21 May
Topic

Consumption and production taxes

Assessment/Other

1. Research Groups 8 email Final Report to Lecturer (Mon)

2. Individual Reflection Report (Mon)

Week 13: 28 May
Topic

Consumption and production taxes

Assessment/Other

Webinar 6

8. Policies

Information about UNSW Business School protocols, University policies, student responsibilities and education quality and support.

Program Learning Goals and Outcomes

The Business School Program Learning Goals reflect what we want all students to BE or HAVE by the time they successfully complete their degree, regardless of their individual majors or specialisations. For example, we want all our graduates to HAVE a high level of business knowledge and a sound awareness of ethical, social, cultural and environmental implications of business. As well, we want all our graduates to BE effective problem-solvers, communicators and team participants.

You can demonstrate your achievement of these goals by the specific outcomes you achieve by the end of your degree (i.e. Program Learning Outcomes—henceforth PLOs). These PLOs articulate what you need to know and be able to do as a result of engaging in learning. They embody the knowledge, skills and capabilities that are identified, mapped, taught, practised and assessed within each Business School program.

All UNSW programs and courses are designed to assess the attainment of program and/or course level learning outcomes, as outlined in the UNSW Assessment Design Procedure. It is therefore important that you become familiar with the Business School PLOs, as they constitute the framework which informs and shapes the course components and assessments of the courses within your program of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate Coursework
Knowledge You should be able to identify and apply disciplinary knowledge to business situations in a local and global environment.
Critical thinking and problem solving You should be able to identify and research issues in business situations, analyse the issues, and propose appropriate and well-justified solutions.
Written communication You should be able to prepare written documents that are clear, concise and coherent, using appropriate style and presentation for the intended audience, purpose and context.
Oral communication You should be able to prepare and deliver oral presentations that are clear, focussed, well-structured, and delivered in a professional manner.
Teamwork You should be able to participate collaboratively and responsibly in teams, and reflect on your own teamwork, and on the team’s processes and ability to achieve outcomes.
Ethical, social and environmental responsibility
  1. You should be able to identify and assess ethical, environmental and/or sustainability considerations in business decision-making and practice.
  2. You should be able to identify social and cultural implications of business.
Workplace skills (Co-op programs only) You should be able to conduct yourself in a professional manner in the work environment, communicate effectively in diverse workplace situations and be able to apply discipline knowledge and understanding to real business problems with initiative and self-direction.
Related PLO Documents View the Undergraduate Honours PLOs (pdf)
Knowledge You should be able to identify and apply current knowledge of disciplinary or interdisciplinary theory and professional practice to business in local and global environments.
Critical thinking and problem solving You should be able to identify, research and analyse complex issues and problems in business and/or management, and propose appropriate and well-justified solutions.
Written communication You should be able to produce written documents that communicate complex disciplinary ideas and information effectively for the intended audience and purpose.
Oral communication You should be able to produce oral presentations that communicate complex disciplinary ideas and information effectively for the intended audience and purpose.
Teamwork You should be able to participate collaboratively and responsibly in teams, and reflect on your own teamwork, and on the team’s processes and ability to achieve outcomes.
Ethical, social and environmental responsibility
  1. You should be able to identify and assess ethical, environmental and/or sustainability considerations in business decision-making and practice.
  2. You should be able to identify social and cultural implications of business.
Related PLO Documents View the Master of Philosophy PLOs (pdf)
 View the Doctor of Philosophy PLOs (pdf)

UNSW Graduate Capabilities

The Business School PLOs also incorporate UNSW graduate capabilities, a set of generic abilities and skills that all students are expected to achieve by graduation. These capabilities articulate the University’s institutional values, as well as future employer expectations.

UNSW Graduate CapabilitiesBusiness School PLOs
Scholars capable of independent and collaborative enquiry, rigorous in their analysis, critique and reflection, and able to innovate by applying their knowledge and skills to the solution of novel as well as routine problems.
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Knowledge
  • Oral communication
  • Research capability
  • Teamwork
  • Workplace skills
  • Written communication
Entrepreneurial leaders capable of initiating and embracing innovation and change, as well as engaging and enabling others to contribute to change
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Knowledge
  • Oral communication
  • Workplace skills
  • Written communication
Professionals capable of ethical, self- directed practice and independent lifelong learning
  • Ethical, social and environmental responsibility
  • Workplace skills
Global citizens who are culturally adept and capable of respecting diversity and acting in a socially just and responsible way.
  • Ethical, social and environmental responsibility
  • Oral communication
  • Written communication

The Business School strongly advises you to choose a range of courses that assist your development against these PLOs and graduate capabilities, and to keep a record of your achievements as part of your portfolio. You could use these records for work or further study. For support with selecting your courses contact the UNSW Business School Student Centre.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Academic Integrity is honest and responsible scholarship. This form of ethical scholarship is highly valued at UNSW. Terms like Academic Integrity, misconduct, referencing, conventions, plagiarism, academic practices, citations and evidence based learning are all considered basic concepts that successful university students understand. Learning how to communicate original ideas, refer sources, work independently, and report results accurately and honestly are skills that you will be able to carry beyond your studies.

The definition of academic misconduct is broad. It covers practices such as cheating, copying and using another person’s work without appropriate acknowledgement. Incidents of academic misconduct may have serious consequences for students.

Plagiarism

UNSW regards plagiarism as a form of academic misconduct. UNSW has very strict rules regarding plagiarism. Plagiarism at UNSW is using the words or ideas of others and passing them off as your own. All Schools in the Business School have a Student Ethics Officer who will investigate incidents of plagiarism and may result in a student’s name being placed on the Plagiarism and Student Misconduct Registers.

Below are examples of plagiarism including self-plagiarism:

Copying: Using the same or very similar words to the original text or idea without acknowledging the source or using quotation marks. This includes copying materials, ideas or concepts from a book, article, report or other written document, presentation, composition, artwork, design, drawing, circuitry, computer program or software, website, internet, other electronic resource, or another person's assignment, without appropriate acknowledgement of authorship.

Inappropriate Paraphrasing: Changing a few words and phrases while mostly retaining the original structure and/or progression of ideas of the original, and information without acknowledgement. This also applies in presentations where someone paraphrases another’s ideas or words without credit and to piecing together quotes and paraphrases into a new whole, without appropriate referencing.

Collusion: Presenting work as independent work when it has been produced in whole or part in collusion with other people. Collusion includes:

  • Students providing their work to another student before the due date, or for the purpose of them plagiarising at any time
  • Paying another person to perform an academic task and passing it off as your own
  • Stealing or acquiring another person’s academic work and copying it
  • Offering to complete another person’s work or seeking payment for completing academic work

Collusion should not be confused with academic collaboration (i.e., shared contribution towards a group task).

Inappropriate Citation: Citing sources which have not been read, without acknowledging the 'secondary' source from which knowledge of them has been obtained.

Self-Plagiarism: ‘Self-plagiarism’ occurs where an author republishes their own previously written work and presents it as new findings without referencing the earlier work, either in its entirety or partially. Self-plagiarism is also referred to as 'recycling', 'duplication', or 'multiple submissions of research findings' without disclosure. In the student context, self-plagiarism includes re-using parts of, or all of, a body of work that has already been submitted for assessment without proper citation.

To see if you understand plagiarism, do this short quiz: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism-quiz

Cheating

The University also regards cheating as a form of academic misconduct. Cheating is knowingly submitting the work of others as their own and includes contract cheating (work produced by an external agent or third party that is submitted under the pretences of being a student’s original piece of work). Cheating is not acceptable at UNSW.

If you need to revise or clarify any terms associated with academic integrity you should explore the 'Working with Academic Integrity' self-paced lessons available at: https://student.unsw.edu.au/aim.

For UNSW policies, penalties, and information to help you avoid plagiarism see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/plagiarism as well as the guidelines in the online ELISE tutorials for all new UNSW students: http://subjectguides.library.unsw.edu.au/elise. For information on student conduct see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/conduct.

For information on how to acknowledge your sources and reference correctly, see: https://student.unsw.edu.au/referencing. If you are unsure what referencing style to use in this course, you should ask the lecturer in charge.

Student Responsibilities and Conduct

Students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to university policies in relation to class attendance and general conduct and behaviour, including maintaining a safe, respectful environment; and to understand their obligations in relation to workload, assessment and keeping informed.

Information and policies on these topics can be found on the 'Managing your Program' website

Workload

It is expected that you will spend at least nine to ten hours per week studying for a course except for Summer Term courses which have a minimum weekly workload of eighteen to twenty hours. This time should be made up of reading, research, working on exercises and problems, online activities and attending classes. In periods where you need to complete assignments or prepare for examinations, the workload may be greater. Over-commitment has been a cause of failure for many students. You should take the required workload into account when planning how to balance study with employment and other activities.

We strongly encourage you to connect with your Moodle course websites in the first week of semester. Local and international research indicates that students who engage early and often with their course website are more likely to pass their course.

View more information on expected workload

Attendance

Your regular and punctual attendance at lectures and seminars or in online learning activities is expected in this course. The Business School reserves the right to refuse final assessment to those students who attend less than 80% of scheduled classes where attendance and participation is required as part of the learning process (e.g., tutorials, flipped classroom sessions, seminars, labs, etc.).

View more information on attendance

General Conduct and Behaviour

You are expected to conduct yourself with consideration and respect for the needs of your fellow students and teaching staff. Conduct which unduly disrupts or interferes with a class, such as ringing or talking on mobile phones, is not acceptable and students may be asked to leave the class.

View more information on student conduct

Health and Safety

UNSW Policy requires each person to work safely and responsibly, in order to avoid personal injury and to protect the safety of others.

View more information on Health and Safety

Keeping Informed

You should take note of all announcements made in lectures, tutorials or on the course web site. From time to time, the University will send important announcements to your university e-mail address without providing you with a paper copy. You will be deemed to have received this information. It is also your responsibility to keep the University informed of all changes to your contact details.

Special Consideration

You must submit all assignments and attend all examinations scheduled for your course. You can apply for special consideration when illness or other circumstances beyond your control, interfere with your performance in a specific assessment task or tasks. Special Consideration is primarily intended to provide you with an extra opportunity to demonstrate the level of performance of which you are capable.

General information on special consideration for undergraduate and postgraduate courses can be found in the Assessment Implementation Procedure and the Current Students page.

Please note the following:

  1. Applications will not be accepted by teaching staff. The lecturer-in-charge will be automatically notified when you lodge an online application for special consideration
  2. Decisions and recommendations are only made by lecturers-in-charge (or by the Faculty Panel in the case of final exam special considerations), not by tutors
  3. Applying for special consideration does not automatically mean that you will be granted a supplementary exam or other concession
  4. Special consideration requests do not allow lecturers-in-charge to award students additional marks

Business School Protocol on requests for Special Consideration

The lecturer-in-charge will need to be satisfied on each of the following before supporting a request for special consideration:

  1. Does the medical certificate contain all relevant information? For a medical certificate to be accepted, the degree of illness and its impact on the student must be stated by the medical practitioner (severe, moderate, mild). A certificate without this will not be valid. Students should also note that only medical certificates issued after physically visiting a registered medical practitioner will be accepted. Medical certificates submitted for Special Consideration should always be requested from a registered medical practitioner that you have seen at a medical practice. Certificates obtained online or via social media may be fraudulent and if relied upon could result in a breach of the UNSW Student Code.
  2. Has the student performed satisfactorily in the other assessment items? To understand what Satisfactory Performance means in this course, please refer to the 'Formal Requirements' section in Part A of your Course Outline

Special Consideration and the Final Exam in undergraduate and postgraduate courses

Applications for special consideration in relation to the final exam are considered by a Business School Faculty panel to which lecturers-in-charge provide their recommendations for each request. If the Faculty panel grants a special consideration request, this will entitle the student to sit a supplementary examination. No other form of consideration will be granted. The following procedures will apply:

  1. Supplementary exams will be scheduled centrally and will be held approximately two weeks after the formal examination period.

    Supplementary exams for Semester 1, 2018 will be held during the period 14 - 21 July, 2018. Students wishing to sit a supplementary exam will need to be available during this period.

    The date for all Business School supplementary exams for Summer Term 2017/2018 is Wednesday, 21 February, 2018. If a student lodges a special consideration for the final exam, they are stating they will be available on this date. Supplementary exams will not be held at any other time.

  2. Where a student is granted a supplementary examination as a result of a request for special consideration, the student’s original exam (if completed) will be ignored and only the mark achieved in the supplementary examination will count towards the final grade. Absence from a supplementary exam without prior notification does not entitle the student to have the original exam paper marked, and may result in a zero mark for the final exam.

The Supplementary Exam Protocol for Business School students is available at: http://www.business.unsw.edu.au/suppexamprotocol

For special consideration for assessments other than the final exam refer to the ‘Assessment Section’ in your course outline.

Protocol for Viewing Final Exam Scripts

The UNSW Business School has set a protocol under which students may view their final exam script. Please check the protocol here.

Given individual schools within the Faculty may set up a local process for viewing final exam scripts, it is important that you check with your School whether they have any additional information on this process. Please note that this information might also be included in your course outline.


Student Support and Resources

The University and the Business School provide a wide range of support services and resources for students, including:

Business School EQS Consultation Program
The Consultation Program offers academic writing, literacy and numeracy consultations, study skills, exam preparation for Business students. Services include workshops, online resources, individual and group consultations.
Level 1, Room 1035, Quadrangle Building.
BUS.EQS.Consultations@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4508

Business School Student Centre
The Business School Student Centre provides advice and direction on all aspects of admission, enrolment and graduation.
Level 1, Room 1028 in the Quadrangle Building
02 9385 3189

UNSW Learning Centre
The UNSW Learning Centre provides academic skills support services, including workshops and resources, for all UNSW students. See their website for details.
Lower Ground Floor, North Wing Chancellery Building.
learningcentre@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 2060

Educational Support Service
Educational Support Advisors work with all students to promote the development of skills needed to succeed at university, whilst also providing personal support throughout the process. Check their website to request an appointment or to register in the Academic Success Program.
John Goodsell Building, Ground Floor.
advisors@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

Library services and facilities for students
The UNSW Library offers a range of collections, services and facilities both on-campus and online.
Main Library, F21.
02 9385 2650

Moodle eLearning Support
Moodle is the University’s learning management system. You should ensure that you log into Moodle regularly.
externalteltsupport@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 3331

UNSW IT
UNSW IT provides support and services for students such as password access, email services, wireless services and technical support.
UNSW Library Annexe (Ground floor).
itservicecentre@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 1333

Disability Support Services
UNSW Disability Support Services provides assistance to students who are trying to manage the demands of university as well as a health condition, learning disability or who have personal circumstances that are having an impact on their studies. Disability Advisers can arrange to put in place services and educational adjustments to make things more manageable so that students are able to complete their course requirements. To receive educational adjustments for disability support, students must first register with Disability Services.
Ground Floor, John Goodsell Building.
disabilities@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 4734

UNSW Counselling and Psychological Services
Provides support and services if you need help with your personal life, getting your academic life back on track or just want to know how to stay safe, including free, confidential counselling.
Level 2, East Wing, Quadrangle Building.
counselling@unsw.edu.au
02 9385 5418


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