Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA)

Supporting students to demonstrate their learning in assessment

General Information

Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) are provided to minimise, as much as possible, barriers for students whose disability, impairment, medical condition or other circumstances may affect their ability to access or participate in assessment.

Students may also be eligible for AARA where illness and misadventure (i.e. unforeseen circumstances) or other situations may prevent them from demonstrating their learning, knowledge and skill in internal and/or external summative assessment.

Students Are NOT Eligible for AARA on the Following Grounds:

• Unfamiliarity with the English language
• Teacher absence or other teacher-related difficulties
• Matters that the student could have avoided (e.g. misreading an exam timetable, misreading instructions in exams)
• Matters of the student's or parent's own choosing (e.g. family holidays)

AARA applications on medical grounds must align with the recommendations of a medical practitioner.

AARA - Special Provisions

AARA applications must include:

1. AARA application form
2. Evidence to support the application

Medical Grounds

Applications on medical grounds must include the 'Confidential Medical Report' Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), unless the student has a current Education Adjustment Program (EAP) verification.

Non-Medical Circumstances or Misadventure

Applications for non-medical circumstances or misadventure must include documentary evidence that the circumstances were unforeseen and unavoidable.

Examples may include: police report, court notice, or funeral notice of immediate family member.

Student Statement

Applications may also include a student statement about the impact of their medical condition or disability on their ability to complete assessment.

Need More Information?

For further information, please contact the Head of Senior Schooling:

Forms and Documents

Download the required forms for your AARA application:

Additional Resources

For more information about AARA, visit the QCAA website: