Academic misconduct processes and reporting

Have you been contacted about academic misconduct?

If a concern has been raised about your academic work, you'll be contacted and given information about what happens next. You'll have an opportunity to respond and can get support throughout the process.

The Academic Integrity Statute and Student Academic Misconduct Policy outline how allegations of academic misconduct are managed at La Trobe.

Access independent support

You can get free, confidential and independent support from a Student Advocate to help you understand the process and your options.

Academic misconduct process

Step 1: meeting with an Academic Integrity Adviser (AIA)

When a concern about your academic work is reported it is referred to an Academic Integrity Adviser (AIA) who investigates to determine if it is academic misconduct. If they determine that it may be a case of academic misconduct, you’ll be invited to attend a meeting to discuss the matter.

After the meeting and consideration of all the evidence, the AIA may determine:

• No Case to Answer – no academic misconduct has occurred, and your submitted work will be marked.
• Poor Academic Practice – you'll be required to complete further training in academic integrity.
• Minor Academic Misconduct – a penalty may apply, which could include reduced marks or receiving zero for the assessment, depending on the degree of misconduct and the circumstances. You may also need to take steps to improve your understanding of academic integrity.
• Serious Academic Misconduct – you’ll be referred to the Student Academic Misconduct Committee (SAMC).

Step 2: meeting with the Student Academic Misconduct Committee (SAMC) (if applicable)

The SAMC considers matters that may involve serious academic misconduct. If your matter is referred to the SAMC, you’ll be asked to attend a meeting to discuss it.

Serious academic misconduct is significant and may lead to suspension or exclusion from the University.

Prepare for your meeting/s

Before your AIA or SAMC meeting/s, you should:

• collect any documents or information you think might help you in the meeting/s
• make sure you understand the University's policies and procedures regarding academic misconduct
• consider organising to have someone attend the meeting with you as a support person, such as a friend, family member, disability support person or Student Advocate. As per the Student Academic Misconduct Policy, your support person cannot be a legal practitioner or hold a law degree. They must also not speak during the meeting unless permitted by the AIA or SAMC.

Your rights

During the academic misconduct process you have opportunities to respond to concerns about your academic work and provide information for consideration.

You have the right to appeal the decision of the AIA or SAMC within 20 business days of receiving the outcome if:

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

Possible responses and penalties

Poor scholarship and academic misconduct can result in:

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

Refer to the Schedule of Penalties and Actions to find out more.

Want to report suspected academic misconduct?

If you suspect academic misconduct, you can submit an Academic Integrity Referral. Provide as much relevant information as you can so we can consider the report and determine what happens next. Thank you for helping us maintain academic integrity at La Trobe.

Need support? We’re here

If you need help with your wellbeing at any stage during the academic misconduct process, free and confidential support is available.