Guidance note: Academic and research integrity - Version 2.0 - 2 February 2024

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys

Guidance note setting out principles-based high-level directions on interpreting and applying academic and research integrity requirements under the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021. It clarifies that it does not create prescriptive obligations and points to the Threshold Standards and the TEQSA Act as the definitive instruments. It explains the purpose of supporting providers with policies, processes, training, oversight and culture, and outlines what TEQSA will look for, including how integrity breaches are addressed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

What do academic and research integrity encompass?

What TEQSA will look for

Guidance note: Academic and research integrity Version 2.0 (2 February 2024) TEQSA’s guidance notes are concise documents designed to provide high-level, principles-based guidance on interpretation and application of specific standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 . They also draw attention to other interrelated standards and highlight potential risks to compliance. They do not introduce prescriptive obligations. The definitive instruments that set out providers’obligations in delivering higher education remain the Threshold Standards (as written by the Higher Education Standards Panel) and the TEQSA Act. In 2023, TEQSA consulted stakeholders with a draft version of the guidance note about academic and research integrity and considered all feedback. This guidance note was finalised on 2 February 2024. The purpose and intent of the guidance note about academic and research integrity is to support providers in ensuring they have the relevant policies, processes, training, oversight, and culture to protect and maintain the integrity of their academia and research. For the full list of guidance notes and resources, please see the TEQSA website. ! 1. What do academic and research integrity encompass? In the context of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021,‘academic integrity’ describes a provider’s responsibility to ensure its staff and students act with honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility as they engage in learning and teaching in courses and units of study. (See TEQSA’s resources on academic integrity). Similarly, ‘research integrity’ describes a provider’s responsibility to ensure research is conducted ethically and responsibly and to promote a culture of ethical and responsible research. The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 (Responsible Conduct of Research Code) sets out a number of responsibilities and principles that apply to providers and researchers. Responsibilities relevant to providers include: • the development and maintenance of current and readily available policies and procedures, which ensure institutional practices are consistent with the principles and responsibilities of the Responsible Conduct of Research Code • providing mechanisms to receive concerns or complaints about potential breaches of the Responsible Conduct of Research Code and investigate and resolve potential breaches • ensuring breaches are investigated in an effective way in accordance with procedural fairness and the welfare of all parties to an investigation. Breaches of academic integrity, also called ‘academic misconduct’ or ‘academic dishonesty’, can include plagiarism, collusion, contract cheating, recycling work, or fabricating information. (See TEQSA’s resources on academic integrity for more details). Breaches of research integrity, also called ‘research misconduct’, can include plagiarism, falsifying or fabricating data, omitting data to manipulate a result or misleading attributions of authorship. The National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research additionally sets out specific breaches including the absence of consent and coercion of participants. The primary obligations related to academic and research integrity are found in Standard 5.2 of the Threshold Standards. Standard 5.2 is designed to: • uphold and promote academic and research integrity across the sector, including maintaining accountability in third-party arrangements • ensure providers have policies and procedures in place to prevent, respond to, and resolve claims of academic and research misconduct. Protecting academic and research integrity is important in preserving both a provider’s integrity and the credibility of its qualifications and research. This protection also serves to maintain the reputation and international standing of the Australian higher education system and the benefits of Australian resear

FAQs

What is the purpose of the guidance note on academic and research integrity?

To support providers in ensuring they have relevant policies, processes, training, oversight and an institutional culture that protect and maintain the integrity of academia and research.

What responsibilities do providers have under academic and research integrity?

Providers must ensure staff and students act with honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility, and must ensure research is conducted ethically and responsibly while promoting a culture of ethical and responsible research.

What kinds of breaches are covered as academic and research misconduct?

Academic integrity breaches can include plagiarism, collusion, contract cheating, recycling work and fabricating information. Research integrity breaches can include plagiarism, falsifying or fabricating data, omitting data to manipulate results, misleading authorship attributions, and certain human research breaches such as lack of consent and coercion.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Rhys