NSC Senior School Handbook

VCAA Special Provisions

Special Provisions may be made to meet the needs of students who have physical or other disabilities and/or illnesses that would prevent them from achieving their best in an examination. There are specific criteria which the student must meet and documentation needs to be submitted to the VCAA. 

 

Special provisions have been designed to support students who may be experiencing significant hardship. It allows them to more confidently demonstrate what they know, and what they can do. It is important to note that special provisions are not allowances, and the work required by the student remains the same. The main purpose of special provisions is to remove any barriers which prevent the student from demonstrating what they are capable of. 

 

Eligibility for Special Provision

 

A student may be eligible for special provisions if they are impacted by:

  • acute or chronic illness (physical or psychological)
  • an impairment or disability, including learning disabilities
  • any factors relating to personal environment

Special provisions will NOT be considered for:

  • prolonged absence from school not related to one of the above factors
  • teacher absence and other teacher difficulties, or
  • unfamiliarity with the English language

The onus is on the student to apply to the VCE Administrator for Special Provision. Students who are eligible for Special Provision are not exempt from meeting the requirements for the satisfactory completion of the VCE or from being assessed against the outcomes for a study.

 

If a student is granted Special Provision the provision will be an equivalent alternative arrangement. The provision will not give the student an advantage over other students.

 

Special Provision in Units 1 & 2

The school is responsible for determining eligibility and the nature of any provisions granted at this level. All students applying for special provisions must present documented supporting evidence. The purpose of this is to avoid providing students with provisions in Year 11, which they may become dependent on, and which may not be approved by VCAA the following year. To have internal special provisions approved for Units 1 & 2, students and their parents/carers should contact the Head of Year 11.

 

Special Provision in Units 3 & 4

Students studying a Unit 3 & 4 subject (including accelerated Year 11 students) who wish to apply for special provisions, must submit an application to the VCAA. The VCAA determines whether a student is eligible for provisions and grants approval in the form of Special Examination Arrangements. All students should contact the Head of Year 12, for further information.  

 

Special Provision Arrangements may include:

  • Rest breaks
  • Extra working time
  • Separate rooms for individual students
  • Use of a computer, tablet or assistive technology
  • Readers
  • Scribes

Requests for Special Provisions must be submitted by 7 March 2025. VCAA will require recent evidence from a health practitioner or specialist to support an application. 

 

Despite the March deadline, there remains an opportunity for emergency provisions after this date, with Emergency Examination Arrangements available throughout the year up to the day of an exam. 

 

Contact the Head of Year 12 as soon as you become aware of any situation, as they facilitate all applications and provide advice.

 

*NB: Provisions applied for in Years 10 and 11 are used to support applications in Year 12. Provisions are approved in the student's Individual Education Plan (IEP) in consultation with the relevant Head of Year Level.