1.1 Appeals Process
Our appeals process is an escalation point for Appellants who have undergone the OET Malpractice process, OET Re-marking process, or the OET Complaints process.
The appeal process focuses on whether, in the course of reaching decisions relating to the Malpractice Policy, Re-marking Policy or Complaints Policy, we applied our procedures properly and fairly in arriving at decisions by:
- implementing, where relevant, sufficient investigation of material facts including, for example, invigilator and interlocutor conduct, malpractice, Venue staff behaviour, the specific delivery and administration of the OET Test; and/or
- appointing qualified assessors who were not involved in the original marking to re-mark a candidate’s sub-test; and/or
- ensuring the assessor(s) carried out the relevant assessment process in accordance with the marking criteria; and
- ensuring communication with the Appellant in a timely manner.
For re-marking appeals, the appeals process is not concerned with judgments about candidates’ performance in the test. An appeal will not involve re-marking or re-assessment of a candidate’s test, although this might be ordered as the result of an appeal if it is found that procedures have not been followed satisfactorily.
Where the outcome of an appeal brings into question the accuracy of grades awarded in an assessment, we will take all reasonable steps to identify any other candidate who may have been affected and wherever possible correct or mitigate the error.
Where the outcome of an appeal results in the discovery of a failure in one of our processes or systems, the relevant Appeals Committee (Malpractice, Re-marking or Complaints) will review the relevant process or system and take all reasonable steps to prevent re-occurrence.
We have a two-stage appeal process:
- Stage 1 – this is when the Appellant appeals the decision and outcome from either the OET Malpractice process, Re-marking process or Complaints process
- Stage 2 – this is when the Appellant appeals the Stage 1 Appeal decision and outcome from the relevant OET Appeals Committee
1.2 Appeal Requirements
1.2.1 Malpractice Appeals
- A fee of AU$120 (Global, except the US) / US$95 (US only) is payable for the submission of each stage of a Malpractice appeal: Stage 1 and Stage 2.
- Appeal requests will only be accepted from candidates personally via the OET Appeal Request Form. Requests made by a relative, friend or colleague will not be accepted.
- Appeal requests must be submitted within 5 calendar days from the date of receiving the Malpractice outcome.
1.2.2 Re-marking Appeals
- A fee of AU$120 (Global, except the US) / US$95 (US only) is payable for the submission of each stage of a re-marking appeal: Stage 1 and Stage 2.
- This fee covers the administrative costs related to processing the appeal request.
- Appeal fees will be refunded in full if the Appeal is upheld.
- We will only consider an appeal about a test result if the re-marking process has taken place first. For more information, please see OET Re-marking Policy.
- Re-marking charges will be refunded in full if the sub-test grade(s) change because of the appeal.
- Appeal requests will only be accepted from candidates personally via the OET Appeal Request Form. Requests made by a relative, friend or colleague will not be accepted.
- Appeal requests must be submitted within five calendar days from the date of receiving the re-marking outcome.
1.2.3 Complaint Appeals
- A fee of AU$120 (Global, except the US) / US$95 (US only) is payable for each stage of a Complaint appeal: Stage 1 and Stage 2.
- This fee covers the administrative costs related to processing your request.
- Appeal fees will be refunded in full if the appeal is upheld.
- We will only consider an appeal about a complaint if the complaint process has taken place first. For more information, please see OET Complaints Policy.
- Appeal requests will only be accepted from candidates personally via the OET Appeal Request Form.
- The appeal request is submitted within five calendar days from the date of receiving the decision from the OET Complaints Committee that has led to making an appeal.
- Appeal requests will only be accepted from candidates personally. A request made by a relative, friend or colleague will not be accepted.
Note: If you take another test (the OET Test or from any other provider) during the appeal, re-marking or complaint processes, OET will not refund any costs incurred in taking the additional test.
1.3 Appeal Management
Stage 1 Appeal
- Your appeal will be reviewed by an internal OET expert who has not been involved in the original decision.
- The expert will assess weather procedures were properly and fairly followed and may authorise further investigation if needed.
- You will be notified in writing of the Stage 1 Appeal decision within:
- Malpractice appeal: three weeks of your submission
- Complaints appeal: three weeks of your submission.
- Re-marking appeal: eight weeks of your submission.
Stage 2 Appeal
- If you are not satisfied with the Stage 1 appeal outcome, you may request a Stage 2 appeal by submitting a new OET Appeal Request From within five calendar days of receiving the Stage 1 appeal decision.
- A Stage 2 appeal is reviewed by an external expert independent to OET who has not been involved in any previous investigation relating to the case.
- You will be notified in writing of the Independent Reviewer’s decision within:
- Malpractice appeal: three weeks of your submission
- Complaints appeal: three weeks of your submission.
- Re-marking appeal: six weeks of your submission
1.4 Appeal Outcomes
There are two outcomes that may results from your appeal, which include:
Your appeal is dismissed, meaning while reaching decisions relating to the Malpractice Policy, Re-marking Policy or Complaints Policy, OET applied its procedures properly and fairly in arriving at decisions and therefore:
- For malpractice appeals, the original decision to withhold or withdraw your OET Test results will stand.
- For re-marking appeals. the re-marked score will be your final OET Test scores for the test that was re-marked.
- For complaints, there is not sufficient evidence to warrant further action from OET
Your appeal is successful, meaning procedures have not been followed satisfactorily and therefore:
- For malpractice appeals, the decisions regarding your results might be reversed or you might be offered a re-sit.
- For re-marking appeals, a re-assessment or remarking of your results might be ordered.
- For complaint appeals related to administration of the OET test, we may offer a free re-sit or a refund of the test fee. Note that we are not able to increase marks in consideration of any issue affecting candidate performance but may take other actions in response to such issues.
