QCAA Policy on Absences for Exams/Assessment
Dear Parents, Carers and Students,
This message outlines the QCAA policy regarding student absences for exams and assessment tasks, as detailed in the QCE and QCIA Policy and Procedures Handbook (v6.0).
The QCAA requires that all assessment be completed on or before the due date unless the absence is the result of circumstances beyond the student’s control.
Acceptable reasons for absence
Absences may be approved when they are unforeseen, unavoidable, and outside the student’s control, such as:
- Sudden illness or injury (supported by medical documentation)
- Serious personal or family emergency
- Other unexpected events beyond the student’s control
In these cases, the school may apply an Access Arrangement and Reasonable Adjustment (AARA) or support an Illness and Misadventure application to the QCAA.
Unacceptable reasons
Absences due to personal choice or avoidable circumstances are not approved. Examples include:
- Family holidays, social events, or work commitments
- Sporting or cultural events not endorsed by the school
- Misreading the exam timetable or lack of preparation
School requirements
- Students must attend all scheduled exams and complete assessment by on or before the due date.
- If an unexpected event occurs, the school must be notified as soon as possible, and a Student Illness and Misadventure form (Student Portal) and supporting evidence (such as a medical certificate or relevant documentation) must be provided.
- If an absence is not approved under QCAA policy, the student will receive a result of Not Rated (NR) for that assessment, as no evidence can be used to determine a result.
What an NR means for students
- NR (Not Rated) is used when a student does not provide any evidence of a response for an assessment, and no approved AARA or Illness/Misadventure applies.
- In Units 3 and 4, if a student receives an NR for any summative internal or external assessment, the QCAA determines that there is insufficient evidence to award a subject result (A–E).
- As a result, the student will not receive a subject result for that course and no QCE credit will be awarded.
- For students studying General subjects, this may also affect their ATAR eligibility as the subject will not contribute to their ATAR calculation.
Thank you for supporting the integrity of the assessment process and helping ensure fairness and consistency for all students.
If you have any questions about how this policy applies to your child, please contact Head of Learning and Teaching – Senior School – Mr Josh Beattie jbeattie@slc.qld.edu.au
MR JOSH BEATTIE
Head of Learning & Teaching (Senior School) (Acting)