Commercial Contract Cheating Is Everywhere
Australian Department of Education Strikes Hard
In Australia, we sometimes come across all kinds of “ghostwriting” and “exam-taking-for-hire” advertisements, hidden in chat groups, websites, or apps.
Most people treat them as junk advertisements, but some still trust these ads, believing they can help them complete their university assignments or examinations.
What they do not realise, however, is that the people providing these services have already broken Australian law and face a maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment or a fine of AUD 110,000.
According to a document released by the Australian Department of Education on 11 March 2022, the current government will allocate AUD 3.9 million each year to support the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) in collecting information on academic writers, blocking overseas cheating websites, prosecuting contract cheating organisations, and developing anti-cheating strategies for universities.
Do not assume that being the buyer means you bear no responsibility — the agency will also investigate students who purchase and use cheating services.
It is fair to say that, in order to safeguard the academic environment and crack down on contract cheating, the Australian government is serious.
The Harm of Illegal Cheating Services
Illegal cheating services pose a threat to academic integrity and expose students to criminal activity.
Research shows that the operators of these illegal cheating services will also blackmail and threaten students — telling their school or future employer about their cheating unless the student pays them a large sum of money.
Australia has legislated to prohibit commercial contract cheating and the promotion of these services to students.
The laws targeting commercial cheating services include criminal penalties, such as fines of up to AUD 110,000 for operators.
Those who provide contract cheating services free of charge also face civil prosecution.
At present the law does not penalise students who use these services to cheat, but their school’s disciplinary policies will continue to apply to students who do so.
How to Identify Illegal Cheating Services
Illegal contract cheating services include websites, individuals, or groups that market or provide cheating services to students.
Illegal cheating services — sometimes also called contract cheating services — sell essays or assignments to students, or accept payment to sit examinations in place of a student.
Often these services market themselves as offering “study support”. Many of those involved in illegal activity will ask students to upload previous assignments or course materials in order to obtain the advertised “support”.
Some illegal services also promote themselves through social media, email, and on-campus advertising. They can also find you through your social media posts. For example, a student might post on social media about an essay they are writing, and then receive a flood of “bot” messages offering illegal commercial cheating services.
Avoiding Illegal Cheating Services
Identifying illegal cheating services can sometimes be difficult, but you should consistently avoid any service that:
Promises to help you write or improve your essay or assignment, or to sit an exam on your behalf, in exchange for money
Proactively offers “study support” through social media, email, or on-campus advertising
Asks you to upload your previous assignments, or your course materials, in order to obtain help
Markets study notes, exam papers, or other assessment materials to you
Students experiencing study difficulties should speak with their tutor or course coordinator. They can help you access study support, and they can also protect your academic integrity.
Tip: Blocking unsolicited promotional messages from social media or email — especially those offering study support, essay writing, or other academic cheating services — can help you avoid becoming involved in illegal cheating services and protect your academic integrity.
Also, be mindful of what you share on social media and consider your privacy settings. This can help you avoid being targeted by the operators of illegal cheating services.
If you have already received illegal cheating advertisements, you can report them to your institution, IT department, and to TEQSA.
Final Word
Australia’s international education industry is worth as much as AUD 35 billion. To safeguard the value of its degrees, the federal Department of Education and the government will most certainly strike hard against any conduct that undermines the integrity of higher education. When you come to Australia to study, always remember why you came — and make sure you truly learn.
