Register for disability services
To help you study independently, you may be able to access disability support services and learning adjustments if you:
- have a disability
- have a short-term injury
- have a mental health condition
- have an ongoing medical condition
- have a learning difficulty
- are neurodivergent (you have ADHD, you're on the autism spectrum, etc).
If you’re registered, we can support you with reasonable adjustments (such as flexibility in assignment deadlines and alternative arrangements for exams). Take a look at our services for students with disabilities page for more details.
Not sure whether to register?
We register students with all sorts of disabilities and conditions, so if you’re not sure whether you’re eligible, feel free to chat with us. We can also give you more information about the services, answer any questions, and help you register (if that’s what you’d like to do).
How to register
There are three steps to complete your registration with DSS – you can register at any time, but it’s a good idea to do it before your units start to ensure the appropriate supports are in place.
The registration form needs to be completed, signed and dated by both a health professional (Part A) and the student seeking registration (Part B and Part C).
Part A can’t be completed by a relative or family friend.
You can submit a digital copy or a PDF version of the form.
Learning disabilities
If you have a learning disability, you'll need to provide a detailed adult assessment and report from a qualified educational or neuro-psychologist.
Already have supporting documents?
If you already have appropriate supporting documents from a health professional, you don’t need to complete Part A of the registration form – just send an email to DSS with:
- documents outlining the nature of your condition, prepared by a health professional (they can’t be prepared by a relative or close friend)
- Part C of the DSS registration form (pdf, 0.13 mb), signed and dated.
Your supporting documents must show:
- the nature of your disability (if you have a learning disability, you'll need to provide a full psychological assessment)
- whether your disability is short-term, fluctuating or permanent
- how your disability affects your studies
- arrangements recommended for you
- any previous arrangements (e.g. learning plans) made for you at another school or university
- how long your documentation is valid for.
If you're not sure the documentation you have is suitable, email it through to us and we can let you know if we need more information.
A DSS adviser will get in touch with you to talk about any adjustments you may need for your learning. You can talk to them about this by email, on the phone, or through an in-person consultation.
Your registration with DSS and all the discussions you have with disability advisers are private – no information will be released or shared without your permission. Also, your registration with DSS does not appear on your academic record.
We’ll email you to let you know if you’re eligible for DSS arrangements and, if so, what they are. You’ll also be able to check this information on the Student Portal.
Privacy
Keep in mind, registration with DSS and discussions with disability advisers remain private, and information will not be released or shared without your permission.
Details of your disability and registration are securely maintained by Disability Support Services and will not be disclosed to other areas of the University without your consent. For more information regarding privacy, please refer to the Disability Support Services Privacy Statement.
Your registration with Disability Support Services will not be noted on your academic transcript.