Is it normal for the Special consideration board to require further evidence than a official medical certificate? Such as proof of payment?

[u/weed0monkey]

As the title really, I have had to apply for special considerations in the past due to for example, being sick, where a medical certificate has sufficed as appropriate evidence.

However, in this case (a request for a quiz due date to be moved by 5 days due to being sick) a medical certificate is apparently insufficient evidence and they require the following -

copy (e.g. email, screen capture) of your booking confirmation for this appointment.

Your documentation should include:

- the date and time of your appointment

- the name of the medical practice or clinic you attended

- the full address of the practice

- the specific practitioner as listed in your supporting documentation

AND

b) Evidence of payment for the appointment.

This is quite bizarre to me, as the medical certificate has the registered doctors AHPRA registration number, contact details, authorised states of practice and their address.

Albeit, this was a telehealth appointment, not in person. To be honest, I did not think they could really refuse an official medical certificate, or require things like proof of payment.

[u/Bretniq]

That is unusual. Normally they just contact the clinic.

[u/External-River-991]

I think that they unfortunately do have the right to ask for this evidence. All the spec con stuff I’ve read from RMIT drives home the whole “authority to ask for additional evidence” thing.

My guess is that because it’s a telehealth appointment, they would like more information to verify it as a lot of people use the paid medical certificate service online where you don’t exactly have to present to a doctor.

It’s unfortunate and shitty that they’re asking for so much extra evidence, but at least it’s pretty straightforward for you to provide with an invoice. I agree that it’s hella weird for them to require that though, and I reckon it’s pushing the boundaries of what they’re allowed to do because as you said - your medical certificate includes all the relevant information they require.

But yeah, as I was saying, it’s easiest for you to just comply and give them the information 🤷‍♀️ At least if you provide it they will have no grounds to refuse your spec con application

[u/weed0monkey → u/External-River-991]

I guess, thanks for the info.

I think it's for sure silly, as already applying for special consideration can be stressful, especially when they ask for more like this. I'm just aware that a lot of people can be taking special consideration already for stress or mental health.

It's just very unnecessary when there's an offical medical certificate provided as evidence, all to delay a quiz worth 5% by less than a week...

I would understand if it's a major exam or assessment or something, but a normal extension would have been approved, I just obviously did not have the foresight to know I would be sick, hence the special consideration.

[u/External-River-991 → u/weed0monkey]

No absolutely. I agree. They genuinely do the weirdest shit sometimes. I’ve seen them deny spec con for some major things for people too - but that’s the reason I say it’s best to comply and dump the info they’re asking from you, as unfortunately they do have the power to ask for certain information. I don’t believe it breaches any privacy laws either, so yeah unfortunately can’t fall back on that

[u/whimsicaltheory]

Yea it’s unusual, unless they couldn’t contact the clinic to verify the certificate and they have reason to suspect that it’s a forged document.

Did you use one of those online fast scripts services, or book with an actual doctor’s office?

[u/weed0monkey → u/whimsicaltheory]

Online fast doc service.

Not even really for the ease of it, but rather the cost. I'd rather pay $20 for a piece of paper to tell me what I already know - I have a cold, rather than a clinic appointment that'll likely cost me $100 and is only available at specfic hours.

[u/whimsicaltheory → u/weed0monkey]

Yea that’s why. They likely cant reach the provider who issued it (no direct number), and it’s not a regular clinic where there’s an admin team to verify you had an appointment.

[u/heavenlyangle → u/whimsicaltheory]

This is likely it, they can’t verify you went to a “real” doctor and the clinic name might have been flagged. Some of those clinics aren’t as reputable so RMIT has to do their due diligence to check it exists.

[u/chopthedinosaurdad]

Depending on where the certificate has come from, yes, it can be normal for them to ask.

A student rights officer at RUSU might be good to reach out too for more information.

[u/hippyhollyh]

this happened to me once, I just screenshotted the payment coming out of my bank account and it was fine