content-left-bg.png
content-right-bg.png

AARA Process

WebPartZone1_1
PublishingPageContent

​Pacific Pines State High School is committed to reducing barriers to success for all students including the recognition that some students require adjustments for assessment and exams. 

AARA (Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments) are actions taken by the school to minimise, as much as possible, barriers for a student whose disability, impairment, medical condition or other circumstances may affect their ability to read, respond to or participate in assessment. 

Important AARA Documents

Please be sure to download these documents to your device so you can submit them electronically.

Who is eligible for an AARA?

Any student who meets the criteria below (and on the AARA Factsheet) could be eligible for an AARA.

Eligib​le
NOT Eligible
Short Term:
  • llness e.g., flu, anxiety (anxiety - apply each term)
  • Misadventure e.g., broken limb
  • Unforeseen circumstances where the student has no control e.g., accident, death of a family member 
Long Term:
  • Cognitive e.g., ASD, ADHD, dyslexia  
  • Physical e.g., asthma, arthritis  
  • Sensory e.g., hearing impairment 
  • Social/emotional e.g., ADHD, (anxiety - apply each semester)  
  • Unfamiliar 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 examinations.
  • Timetable clashes.
  • Matters of the student’s or parent’s/carer’s own choosing, e.g., family holidays, sporting events/commitments. 
  • Matters that the school could have avoided, e.g., incorrect  enrolment in a subject. 
  • Any technical issues e.g., computer crash or not working, work  not backed up to an external hard drive/One-Drive/cloud.

How do students apply for an AARA?

Students can download the the appropriate Application Form above. They can be submitted electronically from within the form or printed and handed in at the main office before 11.59pm on the due date of an assessment draft/final, or before 5pm on the day of a missed exam. 

Long Term AARAs can be submitted at any time. 

Short Term AARA – Years 7 to 9
Long Term AARA Years 7 to 9 (medical diagnosis)  
Physical/Misadventure (e.g. Broken arm)
  • Student submits AARA application form.
Assessment extension (up to 5 calendar days):   
  • Draft: Submit Student AARA Application Form
  • Final: Submit Student AARA Application Form and supporting documentation.
Absent for an exam:
  • Student submits AARA application form
  • Student completes exam at next possible lesson
 Students without a current diagnosis:
  • Submit the Student and Medical AARA Application Forms 
  • Approved AARAs recorded on One-School under support provisions and remain valid until the end of Year 9.  
Students with a current diagnosis: 
  • As above. Access Advocates will work with families to determine the appropriate adjustments to apply for. 



Short Term AARA – Years 10 to 12 
 Long Term AARA Years 10 to 12 (medical diagnosis) 
Assessment extension (5 calendar days):  
  • Draft: Submit Student AARA Application Form. 
  • Final: Submit Student AARA Application Form and GP provided medical certificate.
​Absent for an exam:
  • Submit Student AARA Application Form and medical certificate that covers the day of the missed exam.
  • AARA application is due before 5pm the day of the exam. The medical certificate is due no more than 3 calendar days after the exam.
  • Year. 11/12 Units 3 & 4 students complete comparable exam. 
  • Year. 12 External Exams – student completes the QCAA Illness and Misadventure AARA Application Form together with a GP provided medical certificate.  
 Students without a current diagnosis: 
  • Submit the Student and Medical Application Forms. Long term conditions must not be dated earlier than Year 10.  
  • Approved AARAs recorded on One-School under support provisions.  
  • For Units 3 & 4: Students will be advised if further documentation is required. HOD Senior School submits documentation to QCAA. Temporary conditions (anxiety) are only valid for 6 months. 
 
Students with a current diagnosis: 
  • As above. Dean of Support and Intervention​ will work with families to determine the appropriate adjustments to apply for. 

Further information can be found here on QCAA website.



WebPartZone1_2
WebPartZone2_1
WebPartZone2_2
WebPartZone2_3
WebPartZone3_1
WebPartZone3_2
WebPartZone3_3
WebPartZone3_4
WebPartZone4_1
WebPartZone5_1
WebPartZone5_2
WebPartZone6_1
WebPartZone6_2
WebPartZone7_1
WebPartZone7_2
WebPartZone8_1
WebPartZone8_2
WebPartZone9_1
Last reviewed 18 June 2026
Last updated 18 June 2026