Disability rights

The University has a positive duty to promote the full inclusion and participation of students who have disabilities. Australian and NSW law prevents unlawful discrimination against people with disabilities in areas such as:  

• employment  
• education  
• access to public premises. 

Visit the Australian Human Rights Commission website for the full definition of disability discrimination and disability rights. 

Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, universities and training providers are obliged to ensure that students with disabilities can access and participate in university study. The University of Sydney’s commitment to equal opportunity of learning is set out in the Disability Inclusion Action Plan. 

Despite these laws and the public commitments made by the University, many students with disabilities continue to experience discrimination and therefore prefer to not disclose their disabilities to teachers or peers.  

It is important to note that you are not required to register with Inclusion and Disability Services (IDS) to enrol at the University. Registering with IDS is always your choice. You are not required to disclose your disability or condition to your faculty or school, even when responding to a Show Good Cause notification or, for HDR students, attending a progress meeting. However, in certain situations, disclosure may benefit you. Contact us for advice.

Disability rights and support

Any student who has a disability – whether permanent or short-term – has the right to access specialised support through the University’s Inclusion and Disability Services (IDS). Remember, there is no obligation to disclose any medical condition to the University, so registering with IDS is entirely your decision. 

A benefit of registering with IDS is that you will receive an academic plan. This plan includes adjustments to ensure you have equitable access to education. Your academic plan won’t disclose your diagnosis to faculty staff but will describe the likely impacts on your learning and let them know the adjustments you are entitled to. 

Eligibility for IDS

You are eligible to register with IDS if you have a disability as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Common disabilities that students register include, but are not limited to:  

• depression  
• anxiety  
• deafness/hearing impairment  
• blindness/vision impairment  
• other physical disabilities  
• developmental disabilities such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder and spatial processing disorder (SPD) 
• long term mental illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder (BPD)  
• specific learning disabilities  
• acquired brain injuries  
• chronic medical conditions such as long COVID, ME/CFS and fibromyalgia  
• temporary disabilities. 

Kinds of adjustments available under IDS

Common adjustments include, but are not limited to: 

• equipment or modifications to make workspaces accessible 
• extra time in exams 
• extensions on assessment submission deadlines 
• lockers for storage 
• assistive technology, or assistance to purchase assistive technology 
• equipment loans 
• AUSLAN interpreting 
• lecture support, such as peer note-taking and access to lecture recordings 
• library support 
• access to resting rooms, such as first aid rooms  
• Disability Services Officer support for online exams or other online assessments 
• for HDR students, supervision meetings in a specific form or at a certain time of day. 

This list is not exhaustive – other support can be negotiated. If your medical practitioner recommends a particular adjustment, IDS will consider it.

However, your faculty or school has the final say on adjustments, taking into account assessment standards set by professional associations, as well as the principle of not advantaging any student by allowing a particular adjustment. 

IDS is also limited in the types of adjustments they can include in an academic plan. We recommend that you contact IDS to discuss the types of adjustments you require before proceeding with a medical report and registering with IDS. Many students choose not to register with IDS and instead rely on their own personal study plans, often developed in consultation with a health or medical practitioner, and use special consideration as a safety net. 

How to register with IDS

Current students can register online.  

You will need to get your health professional to fill out a supporting documentation form that you can then either upload, email, or take with you to your appointment. Remember that your disability and health information is confidential, and IDS can only discuss your academic plan and adjustments when communicating with your faculty or the University. 

Your registration is completed by attending an appointment with an IDS Officer.

If you would like to receive adjustments for formal exams, make sure that you have completed the registration process before the deadline for the semester.

Other disability support

Inclusion and Disability Services Officers 

All students with an academic plan will be assigned an IDS Officer who will liaise with their faculty or school to ensure their adjustments are in place and helpful for the student.

IDS Officers do not provide counselling or case management and cannot intervene on matters of academic appeal or leniency. Contact us for assistance with an academic appeal or a complaint. 

Faculty Disability Liaison Officers (FDLO) 

Each faculty has a designated Faculty Disability Liaison Officer (FDLO). An FDLO can offer quick advice on what the faculty can provide to support your learning environment. You do not need to register with IDS or have an academic plan to access your FDLO. 

SUPRA’s Disabilities Officer and Disability and Inclusion Network, and SRC Disabilities Collective 

One of SUPRA’s seven designated equity officers is our Disabilities Officer. This is an identified position, meaning that the person who holds it must identify as having a disability. The Disabilities Officer, along with the Disabilities Collective, organises events and engages in advocacy for postgraduate students with disabilities across the University of Sydney.  

The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) Disabilities Collective and SUPRA Disability and Inclusion Network have collaborated to make a handbook that outlines the support and resources available at Usyd for disabled students; students who have conditions, illnesses or experiences that count as disabilities under Australian definitions but might not use that term personally; and allies. 

Download the Accessibility Handbook [PDF, 8.9MB]. 

Contact SUPRA’s Disabilities Officer: 
disabilty@supra.usyd.edu.au

Further support

People With Disability Australia (PWDA) provides information to people with disabilities and their associates and assesses requests for advocacy support. Get in touch via their website.

Disability Advocacy NSW provides advocacy services to individuals across most of NSW. Get in touch via their website.

Intellectual Disability Rights Service supports people with intellectual or other cognitive impairment living in NSW. Get in touch via their website.

What to do if you’ve been discriminated against because of your disability

If you think you have been discriminated against because of your disability, you have a right to submit a complaint to the University, Anti-Discrimination NSW, the Australian Human Rights Commission and/or the National Student Ombudsman.

We can assist you with any concerns you have relating to disability discrimination and can help you submit a complaint. Contact us for advice. Read our complaints article for further information. 

Privacy and disclosure

The University of Sydney is bound by state law and university policies to protect your personal information. Even when your academic plan is shared with your subject coordinators, it does not include your diagnoses or other personal details; instead, it focuses on the accommodations you require as a part of your plan. The University cannot share your personal information with any other person or agency without your consent. 

The only time your information may be shared within the University is if you disclose information to a Disability Services Officer that leads them to believe you are at risk of hurting yourself or someone else. In such a situation, a care report will be made to Wellbeing Support.  

Your personal information is protected under the following policies: 

• Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW)
• Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (NSW)
• University of Sydney Privacy Policy 2017
• University of Sydney Privacy Procedures 2023.  

Find out more about privacy at the University of Sydney. 

Written by SUPRA Postgraduate Advocacy Service September 2025