Inherent Requirements

JCU is committed to enhancing student access, participation and success in higher education and embracing the diversity of the communities we serve. We strongly support the rights of individuals who wish to pursue a degree to achieve their potential personal and professional career objectives.

These inherent requirements are designed to assist current and prospective students to make informed decisions for study and access to services, and to guide further discussions based on a clear understanding of the inherent course requirements. Persons wishing to enrol in a JCU course should read the inherent requirements statement for that course, and consider if they may experience challenges in meeting those requirements.

Students who believe they will experience challenges completing their degree or course because of their disability, health condition or other reason should discuss their concerns with an AccessAbility Services team member, or a member of College staff such as the Course Coordinator.

In the case where it is determined that inherent requirements cannot be met with reasonable adjustments, the University staff can provide guidance regarding other study options.

What are inherent requirements?

Inherent requirements are the fundamental abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours necessary to complete the learning outcomes of a course while preserving the academic integrity of JCU's learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

Current and prospective students must be able to demonstrate that they have acquired or have the ability to acquire the inherent requirements for their degree or course.

Reasonable adjustments may be implemented to assist students to manage additional circumstances which impact on their studies, provided these do not fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree or course.

Are inherent requirements different to admissions and academic requirements?

Each degree or course has a number of admissions and academic requirements which prospective students must meet prior to enrolling in or graduating from the degree or course. Admissions and academic requirements are available on the JCU Course and Subject Handbook.

In many cases, having a health condition or disability will not impact on studies. Many students with disabilities or other circumstances that impact on their studies have successfully completed their university studies with or without reasonable adjustments to their learning conditions.

Students with a disability or health condition or other circumstance such as cultural or religious considerations can discuss their circumstances and potential needs for reasonably adjusted learning conditions with JCU staff, including the Course Coordinator or AccessAbility Services. (For the Diploma of Higher Education, students should contact Pathways staff by email to pathways@jcu.edu.au.)

It is highly recommended that students discuss their circumstances with JCU staff as early as possible. Reduced timeframes may impact significantly on the adjustments that are possible.

For students with a disability or health condition, AccessAbility Services can provide an experienced reference point, facilitate reasonable adjustments, and assist students to develop strategies to realise their capabilities. JCU has no requirement to adjust for conditions that it is not aware of. Disclosure is required for any circumstances that pose a health or safety risk to students or others.

What are reasonable adjustments?

JCU is committed to making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, placement and other activities to enable students to participate in their course.

Reasonable adjustments can be made to how curricula are delivered, clinical placements are conducted, and the way in which learning outcomes are achieved, demonstrated or assessed.

Reasonable adjustments must not fundamentally change the nature of the inherent requirement.

Reasonable adjustments do not alter the need to be able to demonstrate the inherent requirements of a degree or course, and may or may not be sufficient in themselves to assist students to meet these requirements.

How to interpret the inherent requirements statements

The inherent requirements statement is divided into domains and sub-domains, and will contain:

An introduction to the inherent requirement
A rationale as to why it is an inherent requirement, and
Examples of abilities which must be demonstrated - or acquired and demonstrated - during the degree or course.

Please note, this is not an exhaustive list.

JCU Inherent Requirements Statements are based on the inherent requirements developed by Western Sydney University.