What to Do If You Get Sick During Exams in Australia: Practical Steps

Falling ill right before or during an exam is stressful, but in Australia you are not stuck. Every Australian university has a formal safety net called special consideration, and if you act quickly and follow the right steps, you can usually sit a deferred exam or get other relief without losing marks. The key is speed: most of the rules reward students who report the problem and gather evidence on the same day. This guide walks you through exactly what to do, step by step.

It covers what to do if you feel sick during the exam itself, how to get a medical certificate that your university will accept, how deferred and supplementary exams work, and the questions students ask most. Remember that each university sets its own deadlines, so always check your own student portal as well.

TL;DR: Act Fast, Keep Evidence

If you get sick during an exam, tell the supervisor immediately so it goes on the record. See a doctor the same day and get a medical certificate that names the exam date and how your condition affected you. Then apply for special consideration before your university’s deadline, which can be as tight as the day of the exam. If approved, you usually sit a deferred exam in the supplementary period. Apply even if your documents are delayed.

What to Do, Step by Step

1. Tell someone immediately

If you fall ill during the exam, raise your hand and tell the exam supervisor straight away. They will record it, which becomes important evidence. If you wake up too sick to attend, contact your faculty or check the special consideration process before the exam starts, not afterwards.

2. See a doctor the same day

Get to a GP on the day you are unwell and ask for a medical certificate. A same-day certificate that states you were unfit to sit the exam on that specific date is far stronger than one obtained days later. Your health cover usually helps with the cost, which we cover below. If it is your first time, our guide to visiting a doctor in Australia explains how to book and what to expect.

3. Apply for special consideration before the deadline

Lodge a special consideration application through your student portal, attaching your medical certificate. Deadlines are short, sometimes by 11:55pm on the exam day, often within four to five business days, so do not delay. If your documents are not ready yet, submit the application anyway and add the evidence as soon as you can; most universities will hold it for a few days.

4. Prepare for a deferred exam

If your application is approved, you will usually be offered a deferred or supplementary exam at a later official date. Keep studying so you are ready, and watch your email for the new date and instructions.

What Is Special Consideration?

Getting a Medical Certificate That Will Be Accepted

Universities accept medical certificates from an AHPRA-registered health practitioner, such as a GP, specialist or psychologist. The certificate should clearly state the date or dates you were affected and how your condition impacted your ability to study or sit the exam. Vague certificates, ones that do not cover the exam date, or those from someone who never assessed you can be rejected. Online or telehealth certificates can be quick, but a certificate from a doctor who actually examined you is the safest option.

Deferred and Supplementary Exams Explained

A deferred exam is simply a replacement exam you sit at a later official date, usually during the supplementary exam period held after the main exams. It covers the same material to the same standard as the original, so it is not designed to be harder. Passing it counts normally toward your subject and your degree, so deferring an exam does not by itself stop you graduating, though it may slightly delay your final results.

Why You Might Get Sick Around Exams

It is common to feel unwell at exam time. Stress can lower your immunity and trigger very real physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, poor sleep and stomach upset. Looking after the basics helps: rest, hydration, and good food. Our guides to healthy eating on a student budget and balancing study, work and mental health can help you stay well during exam season. If anxiety is severe or persistent, reach out through our guide to mental health support for international students.

Health Cover and Costs

As an international student, your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) generally covers GP visits, though you may pay a gap and claim part of it back. Using a bulk-billing clinic where available can reduce or remove the cost. Our simple guide to OSHC explains what is covered and how to claim, so a needed doctor visit does not become a financial worry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Getting sick at exam time is not the disaster it feels like in the moment. Australian universities expect it and have a clear process for it, so the worst thing you can do is stay silent. Report it immediately, get a same-day medical certificate, apply for special consideration before the deadline, and prepare for your deferred exam. Because every university sets its own rules, check your institution’s official special consideration page, such as those at the University of Sydney or the University of Melbourne, for your exact deadlines and forms.