Regulator TEQSA is sending less a signal than switching-on a flashing neon sign that it expects higher education institutions to deal with student cheating. Academic integrity is “critical to protecting students’ learning outcomes, educational standards and the strong reputation of Australia’s higher education sector,” TEQSA head Anthony McClaran says.

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency has a new guide to dealing with contract cheating by University of South Australia’s Tracey Bretag. It builds on extensive research by Associate Professor Bretag, including a recent survey on cheating at Australian universities with colleague Rowena Harper (CMM June 16).

AsPro Bretag sets out 22 actions providers can take to reduce cheating, by promoting academic integrity, dealing with breaches and reducing risks. The guid includes case studies of work at the University of South Australia, Macquarie, and Deakin universities and Nottingham Trent U in the UK.

This is practical information, which makes the case for and shows how to create institution-wide systems for stopping student dishonesty.