Revocation of Awards
This Procedure supports and mandates the implementation of Federation University Australia’s Nomenclature of Sealed Awards Policy.
This procedure provides a framework for the revocation of an award – degree, advanced diploma, diploma, certificate or other award conferred by Federation University Australia or the issuance of an unsealed award or statement, obtained through either fraud or administrative error. It incorporates the actions required for investigating, notifying and recording revocation processes.
This procedure applies to all awards conferred or granted whether before or after the date of commencement of Statute 5.8 and includes awards granted by Federation University Australia or an antecedent or affiliated institution.
- Federation University Australia Act 2010
- University Statutes and Regulations
- Statute 5.1 – Academic Awards and Courses
- Statute 5.1 – The Schedule
- Statute 5.6 – Admission to Academic Awards
- Statute 5.8 – Revocation of Awards
A complete list of definitions relevant to this procedure is contained within the Federation University Australia's Nomenclature of Sealed Awards Policy.
A further list of definitions specifically relevant to this procedure is included below:
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Academic Board (AB) | Academic Board is the principal academic body of Federation University Australia. Its purpose is to provide academic oversight of prescribed higher education and VET academic programs and courses of study within the University and provide advice to Council on the conduct and content of those programs and courses |
Administrative Error | Administrative errors are non-fraudulent errors that have occurred in the conferring of a University degree, diploma, certificate or other award. These include but are not limited to incorrect badged stream, incorrect name, or completion date. |
Fraud |
A degree, diploma, certificate or other award (sealed or unsealed) conferred or granted by the University or an antecedent institution that has been obtained by a person as a result of fraud or improper means Fraud includes but is not limited to: a. the use of material in any thesis or work which was knowingly false or fabricated; b. appropriating the ideas or work of another person and misrepresenting them as one’s own; c. transgression of ethical research practice; and d. knowingly misrepresenting previous qualifications, experience, achievement or any other attribute in order to gain entry to a program. |
Council | The governing authority of Federation University Australia responsible for its direction and superintendence |
Revocation of Award | The permanent destruction by the University of a degree, diploma, certificate or other award conferred or granted by Federation University Australia or an antecedent or affiliated institution |
Sealed Awards (HE) | Issued to recognise successful completion of qualifications prescribed in the University’s Statute 5.1 – The Schedule |
Sealed Awards (VET) | Issued to recognise successful completion of nationally recognised whole (AQF) qualifications listed on the University’s Scope of Registration and Statute 5.1 – The Schedule |
Unsealed Awards (VET) | Includes all certificates which do not require the University seal, and are signed by an Executive Director, and where assessment has been undertaken, signed by the Chair, Academic Board. (Refer to Schedule of Certificates) |
Shorter Form Credentials | Includes other types of credentials such as short courses and micro-credentials for which completion is recognised with a certificate of completion/attainment. |
- Nomenclature of Sealed Awards Policy
- Approval of New Award Programs (Higher Education) Procedure
- VET Schedule of Awards
- Revoked Testamur – Confirmation of Destruction form
Forms
- Memo_RevocationofAward_VCDetermination_TEMPLATE (DOCX 55.1kb)
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is responsible for monitoring the implementation, outcomes and scheduled review of this procedure.
- Dean of Students and Registrar is responsible for maintaining the content of this procedure as delegated by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
- Manager, Registrar Services is responsible for the administration support for the maintenance of this Procedure as directed by the Dean of Students and Registrar.
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
---|---|---|---|
A. |
Investigating revocation of a sealed degree, advanced diploma, diploma, certificate or other award if: a) the University is satisfied that it was conferred or granted to a person as a result of fraud or improper means b) the University is satisfied that it was conferred or granted to a person who had not fulfilled the conditions prescribed for admission to the award c) Registrar Services will provide details to the Dean of School for investigation |
Dean of School or delegate |
|
B. | Verifying details | Graduation Coordinator |
|
C. | Notify the Vice-Chancellor | Dean of School |
If a testamur has to be revoked and reissued due to an administrative error unrelated to volume of learning such as an incorrect badged stream, incorrect name, or completion date the following actions will apply.
|
D. | Making an initial determination | Vice-Chancellor |
|
E. | Determining circumstance of issuing of the award | Chair, Academic Board |
|
F. | Notifying of proposed revocation | Chair, Academic Board |
|
G. | Reporting to Council | Executive Officer, Academic Board |
|
H. | Notifying outcome | Council Secretary or delegate |
|
I. | Assisting the student | Dean of School or delegate |
|
J. | Updating Award Records | Graduation Coordinator |
|
K. | Updating systems | Graduation Coordinator |
|
L. | Destroying the original physical testamur | Executive Officer to Council |
|
ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
---|---|---|---|
A. | Investigating circumstances surrounding the issuing of an unsealed award if erroneously issued due to fraud or administrative error | Executive Director or delegate |
|
B. | Verifying details | Graduation Coordinator |
|
C. | Notifying the student | Chair, Academic Board |
|
D. | Referring the matter | Chair, Academic Board |
|
E. | Notifying the outcome | Executive Officer, Academic Board |
|
F. | If incorrect grades have been entered into the Student Management System, complete form to advise details for updating student's grade | Executive Director or delegate | Provide information to Student HQ to amend grade |
G. | Updating student’s record | Student HQ |
|
H. | Updating systems | Graduation Coordinator |
|
I. | Destroying the original physical certificate | Executive Officer to Academic Board |
|
J. | Assisting the student | Executive Director of TAFE or delegate |
|
The Revocation of Awards Procedure will be communicated throughout the University via:
- An Announcement Notice via FedNews and on the FedUni Policy Central's Policy Library 'Recently Approved Documents’ page to alert the University-wide community of the approved Procedure.
- Academic Board meetings
- School meetings
Forms
- Revoked Testamur - Confirmation of Destruction form (DOCX 222.4kb)
The Revocation of Awards Procedure will be implemented throughout the University via:
- An Announcement Notice via FedNews and on the FedUni Policy Central's Policy Library 'Recently Approved Documents’ page to alert the University-wide community of the approved Procedure.
- inclusion on the University's online Policy Library; and/or
- distribution of e-mails to Deans/Executive Directors and other relevant University staff
Document Title | Location | Responsible Officer | Minimum Retention Period |
---|---|---|---|
Written notification and evidence re proposed revocation of sealed award | Vice-Chancellor’s Office | Executive Officer | Retain until organisational use has concluded |
Revoked Testamur - Confirmation of Destruction form | University’s approved records management system | Executive Officer to Council | Permanent |
Report on investigation findings and recommendation | Council minutes | Executive Officer, Council | Permanent |
Written notification and evidence re proposed revocation of unsealed award | School | Executive Director | Retain until organisational use has concluded |
Report on investigation findings and recommendation | University’s approved records management system | Executive Officer, Academic Board | Retain until organisational use has concluded |
Higher Education Awards Register | Graduation Office | Manager, Registrar Services | Permanent |
VET Awards Register | Graduation Office | Manager, Registrar Services | Permanent |