• Section 1 - Key Information
• Section 2 - Purpose
• Section 3 - Scope
• Section 4 - Key Decisions
• Section 5 - Policy Statement
• Section 6 - Procedures
• Part A - Information About Course and Subject Requirements
• Part B - Students’ Objections
• Part C - Responses to Objections
• Part D - Supporting Students
• Part E - Reviews
• Part F - Records
• Section 7 - Definitions
• Section 8 - Authority and Associated Information

Section 1 - Key Information

Section 2 - Purpose

(1) This Policy outlines the University’s approach to responding to students who have deeply held conscientious beliefs that conflict with requirements of their course or subject.

Section 3 - Scope

(2) This Policy applies to all:

1. students enrolled in any La Trobe subject or award course, including those conducted by third parties
2. participants, in short courses or enabling programs.

Section 4 - Key Decisions

Section 5 - Policy Statement

(3) La Trobe University values and supports the diversity of the members of its student community.

(4) The University recognises that some students may have deeply held conscientious beliefs (as defined in Section 7) that conflict with the requirements of learning activities and assessment tasks. The University aims, where possible, to facilitate students completing their studies without compromising their convictions.

(5) The University strives to provide an optimal learning environment and sound pedagogy and must comply with all relevant laws, regulations and standards. Nothing in this Policy or Procedure may be taken as allowing less than optimal scholarship, including the defence and critique of scholarly research and knowledge, nor any breach of applicable legislation or standards.

(6) Where a student has conscientious objections to participation in a requirement of a course or subject, the University will endeavour to make reasonable accommodations, where appropriate and possible, on an individual basis. Accommodations will not be made where:

1. there is an objection to an inherent requirement of the course, the fulfilment of which is necessary for staff to be able to certify that the student has met the learning outcomes of the course or competencies required for external professional registration
2. the only adjustment available would risk the safety of the individual or others, be in breach of legislation or expose the University to legal liability
3. the only adjustment available will disadvantage the quality of education of other students or provide an unfair advantage over other students
4. the objection relates to participation in contemporary teaching, learning, or assessment approaches, including the use of digital and emerging technologies, where these are integral to the achievement of learning outcomes, graduate capabilities, or the requirements of a course
5. the resources (including time) required for adjustments are not available, or
6. there is an objection to a requirement of an external body, compliance with that external body’s requirement is necessary to complete the course and that external body does not allow the objection.

Section 6 - Procedures

Part A - Information About Course and Subject Requirements

(7) Insofar as it can be reasonably anticipated, the University provides sufficient information in relation to courses and, subjects (including inherent requirements) to enable students to determine whether they can participate and complete the requirements of a course without compromising their conscientious beliefs. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. requirements relating to health and safety compliance (such as immunisation or protective equipment requirements)
2. professional or clinical placements, work-integrated learning, fieldwork and research
3. participation in laboratory or simulation-based learning.

(8) Course and subject descriptions must include specific information about the following matters:

1. the use of animals (alive or dead), human bodies or parts, human tissue or fluids
2. interaction with people who are not normally staff or students of the subject, or interactions that are not commonly part of University teaching and learning 
3. attendance at cultural places or use of cultural objects, or any other matter that may be reasonably anticipated to give rise to a student’s conscientious objections.

(9) Students must review published University course and subject information to identify any general requirements, learning activities or assessments that might give rise to conscientious objections.

(10) As graduate research activities are determined by the individual research project rather than prescribed at the course level, prospective applicants should discuss the nature of proposed research activities and any potential conscientious concerns with their prospective Principal Supervisor prior to applying.

(11) Many courses or subjects at the University have inherent requirements, that are fundamental to that course or subject (see Definitions). Students should not enrol in courses or subjects when they have objections to core requirements that are inherent to the course or subject.

Part B - Students’ Objections

(12) A student should provide the relevant Subject Coordinator with written objections as soon as they determine that a requirement conflicts with their conscientious beliefs and preferably no later than the relevant Census Date. The objection should include a description of the grounds for the objection in accordance with this Policy.

(13) A graduate research candidate who considers that a requirement of their research topic conflicts with their conscientious beliefs should raise the matter in writing with their Principal Supervisor as soon as practicable and preferably prior to their confirmation milestone. Such matters will ordinarily be resolved through discussion between the candidate and supervisor, with any agreed adjustments managed in accordance with applicable graduate research policies and procedures.

(14) Students cannot raise conscientious objections after a learning activity or assessment has occurred. If a student is concerned about something that occurred during a learning activity or assessment, they should lodge a complaint under the provisions of the Student Complaints Management Policy.

Part C - Responses to Objections

(15) Staff will treat student conscientious objections with respect, procedural fairness and without bias.

(16) When a student makes a reasonable conscientious objection to a course or subject requirement the Subject Coordinator/Principal Supervisor will endeavour to make an accommodation that:

1. is of comparable length and difficulty to the original requirement
2. achieves learning outcomes consistent with the original requirement
3. does not unfairly advantage the applicant
4. does not impose an unreasonable demand on the relevant academic or research staff, and
5. meets the inherent requirements of the subject and/or course.

(17) The Subject Coordinator/Principal Supervisor may decide not to grant an accommodation or alternative learning or research activity or assessment where:

1. it would undermine the learning outcomes or inherent requirements of the learning activity, assessment, or subject
2. it would impose an unreasonable demand on the relevant academic staff
3. it would unfairly disadvantage other students
4. it would be inconsistent with the law, University governance documents, professional accreditation standards, or contractual requirements, or
5. the student’s objection is assessed not to be based on conscientious grounds.

(18) Subject Coordinators may seek advice from their Course Coordinator, discipline head, or the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) if they need assistance in determining whether an objection is based on justifiable conscientious grounds, or in planning a modified or alternative learning activity or assessment. Principal Supervisors may seek the corresponding advice from their Graduate Research Coordinator, Director of Graduate Research, or the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Training).

(19) Subject to the exceptions stated in this Policy, alternatives may include substituting observing other students or staff for direct participation, observation by video or other recording, the use of computer simulation, use of models or manikins, substitution of synthetic or vegetable materials, use of extant data or materials, or providing greater privacy and opportunities to work with individuals appropriate to the alternative conditions.

(20) Responses to objections are normally provided by the Subject Coordinator/Principal Supervisor in writing to the student within 10 business days and will advise one of the following:

1. an alternative learning activity or assessment has been granted
2. a modification to the original learning activity or assessment can be made
3. modifications to the graduate research project may be supported, subject to any further approvals required under University policy or procedure
4. no modification or alternative can be accommodated and the reasons.

(21) If a student’s conscientious objection cannot be accommodated, and they choose to remain enrolled, they must complete the original learning activity or assessment:

1. if it is a hurdle requirement
2. to be eligible for all possible marks for the subject.

(22) Where a conscientious objection is raised after the relevant Census Date or after commencement of a placement, graduate research project, assessment or other mandatory requirement, and the University is not able to provide an accommodation without academic, financial or progression impacts to the student, students remain responsible for any consequences that may arise. This applies unless otherwise determined by the University in accordance with applicable policies or legislation, including relevant graduate research policies, the Enrolment Procedure – Variations and the Educational Partnerships Procedure – Work-Based Learning.

Part D - Supporting Students

(23) When a student informs a staff member that an activity that they have undertaken has compromised their conscientious beliefs, the student should be referred to support services. The Subject Coordinator/Principal Supervisor should immediately review the activity for any future/planned delivery for unintended impact for students.

(24) When a student raises an objection and is unable to articulate the reasons for their objection the student should be offered assistance to resolve the matter. That assistance may include providing the student with referral information to University services.

(25) When a conscientious objection has been raised and an accommodation is not able to be provided (for the reasons allowed by this Policy) it may be necessary to advise the student to change their subject or course.

Part E - Reviews

(26) A student may seek a review of a decision made in relation to a conscientious objection where they are of the view that this Policy has not been correctly applied or where they believe a sufficient accommodation has not been made available.

(27) Students who wish to seek a review of a decision made in relation to a course or subject requirement may seek a review of the decision from the relevant Course Coordinator/Director of Graduate Research.

(28) A request for review must:

1. be made in writing
2. be submitted within three (3) business days of the Subject Coordinator's/Principal Supervisor’s decision
3. include evidence of the original request, the Subject Coordinator's/Principal Supervisor’s decision and the justification for the review.

(29) The Course Coordinator/Director of Graduate Research will review the decision within five (5) business days and either:

1. uphold the original decision, or
2. request that the Subject Coordinator/Principal Supervisor provide a modified learning activity or assessment.

(30) Where a student remains dissatisfied following the review by the Course Coordinator/Director of Graduate Research, they may seek a further review by the Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching or Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Training).

(31) A request for review must:

1. be made in writing
2. be submitted within three (3) business days of the Course Coordinator's/Director of Graduate Research's decision
3. include evidence of the original request, the Course Coordinator's/Director of Graduate Research's decision and the justification for the review.

(32) The Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching/Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Training) will review the decision within five (5) business days and either:

1. uphold the original decision, or
2. request that the Subject Coordinator/Principal Supervisor provide a modified learning activity or assessment.

(33) Students who remain dissatisfied with the outcome of any review may submit a complaint under the provisions of the Student Complaints Management Policy.

Part F - Records

(34) Records of conscientious objections, decisions, and any reviews or appeals must be created and managed in accordance with the Records Management Policy. Schools are responsible for maintaining records of matters arising under this Policy and providing annual summary reporting through School Learning and Teaching Committees to support institutional oversight, consistency of decision-making, and policy review.

Section 7 - Definitions

(35) For the purpose of this Policy and Procedure:

1. accommodation - a modification, alternative arrangement, or other adjustment made by the University in response to a student’s conscientious objection, intended to enable the student to participate in learning, assessment, without compromising the learning outcomes, inherent requirements, safety, legal obligations, or academic standards applicable to the course or subject.
2. conscientious belief: a belief that may justify a request for an alternative accommodation to a subject or course requirement under this Policy that has one or more of the following characteristics:
   1. it is a genuine and sincerely held conviction that is not adopted for convenience or personal advantage that is based on religious, ethical, cultural, philosophical or environmental grounds: 
   2. it is of sufficient importance to the individual that it may influence their willingness to meet the requirements of a course or subject. 
3. conscientious objection: an objection, based on a conscientious belief, to a previously unknown requirement of a subject or course 
4. inherent requirements:  the essential components of a course that define how students participate in learning and assessment and the capabilities required to do so in order to successfully complete the course 

Section 8 - Authority and Associated Information

(36) This Policy is made under the La Trobe University Act 2009.

(37) Associated information includes:

1. Student Charter
2. Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986
3. Equal Opportunity Act 2010
4. Racial Discrimination Act 1975
5. Educational Partnerships Procedure – Work-Based Learning
6. Enrolment Procedure – Variations
7. Student Fee Procedure – Remission of Debt or Fee Liability