Students > Student administration > Academic Integrity > Help for academic misconduct

Help for academic misconduct

Submit an Academic Integrity Referral

You can submit an allegation of Academic Misconduct below. You will be re-directed to a form where we encourage you to provide as much detail as possible. Thank you for taking the time to support Academic Integrity at La Trobe University.

Submit Academic Integrity referral

Why have you been sent a letter to see an Academic Integrity Adviser (AIA)?

If your lecturer sees something in your work that could be academic misconduct, they will refer it to an Academic Integrity Adviser (AIA). The AIA will investigate to determine if it is academic misconduct. If they determine there may be a case of academic misconduct you will be invited to attend an interview to discuss the matter.

If, after the meeting and consideration of all the evidence, the AIA determines there is no academic misconduct (No Case to Answer), the submitted work will be marked. If they find the behaviour is an example of Poor Academic Practice, you will be required to engage in further training in academic integrity.

If the AIA reaches a finding of Minor Academic Misconduct, the AIA will apply a penalty which could involve reduced marks or receiving a zero for the assessment, depending on the degree of misconduct and the circumstances. You may also be required to undertake actions to improve your understanding of academic integrity.

Why have you been sent a letter to attend a meeting with the Student Academic Misconduct Committee (SAMC)?

If the AIA determines that the academic misconduct could be serious, you will be referred to the Student Academic Misconduct Committee (SAMC). You will be asked to attend a meeting with the SAMC to discuss the matter. Serious Academic Misconduct is taken seriously and can even lead to suspension or exclusion from the University.

Your Rights

If you are asked to attend a meeting with the AIA, or the Student Academic Misconduct Committee (SAMC), you are allowed to bring a support person. This person cannot be a legal practitioner or hold a law degree. They must also not speak during the meeting unless permitted to do so by the AIA or SAMC.

You have the right to appeal the decision of the AIA, or the Student Academic Misconduct Committee (SAMC), within 20 business days of receiving the outcome if:

  • the Policy and Procedure were not appropriately followed in the reaching of the determination or penalty; or
  • there was bias towards the student on the part of any individual involved with the findings; or
  • more evidence has become available that was not available to decision-makers at the time.

Access support on campus

Get some advice on how to proceed:

Prepare your case

  • Collect any documents that you think might help you in the meeting
  • Make sure you understand all of the University's policies and procedures regarding Academic Misconduct
  • If you wish, organise to have someone attend the meeting with you as a support person, such as a friend, family member, disability support person, or Student Advocate.

To find out more please refer to the Schedule of Penalties and Actions to understand what may occur after a finding.

Possible Responses and Penalties

Responses to poor scholarship and academic misconduct include:

  • educational corrective action
  • academic counselling
  • reprimands
  • requests to resubmit work
  • reduced marks
  • zero for work, examination or subject
  • suspension
  • exclusion

To find out more please refer to Penalties for Academic Misconduct.