1. Purpose and Rationale

The purpose of this document is to maintain coordinated and consistent practices across Australian Catholic University (ACU) in the event that fraudulent or misleading information intended to deceive the University or misrepresent the truth has been provided by an applicant to ACU, a current or former ACU student and/or a person claiming to be a current or former ACU student.

Applicants to ACU and students enrolling at ACU are required to declare that the information supplied regarding their admission/enrolment is correct and complete and are informed that the submission of incorrect or incomplete information may result in the withdrawal of any offer and/or cancellation of enrolment at any stage.

The falsification of documentation is a criminal offence and the University may report confirmed cases of falsification to the relevant state/territory Police authority. Additionally, the University may report specific confirmed cases of falsification to Universities Australia for inclusion on their register.

Student Administration is responsible for the collection and maintenance of all records relating to the admission, enrolment and course completion of students and is committed to ensuring the legitimacy, accuracy, security and confidentiality of those records.

2. Procedures

2.1 Fraudulent or misleading documentation provided by a person applying for admission to study at ACU

2.1.1 Admission Assessors and academic staff assessing applications must be vigilant in scrutinising documentation provided by applicants. Where fraudulent or misleading documentation is suspected, the matter should be brought to the attention of the Manager, Admissions¹.

2.1.2 The Manager, Admissions will ensure the situation is investigated and for this purpose may obtain further information from any relevant parties.

2.1.3 If such investigation confirms the apparent existence of fraudulent or misleading documentation, the Manager, Admissions will report the matter, and provide relevant evidence, to the Academic Registrar.

2.1.5 If the Academic Registrar determines to deal with the matter in accordance with this Section, he/she will write to the person to seek clarification and/or substantiation in relation to the documentation in question.

2.1.5.1 The person is required to respond in writing, within 20 working days of the date of the request from the Academic Registrar.

2.1.5.2 If the documentation cannot be substantiated, the application will be cancelled and the person will be advised in writing.

2.1.5.3 Any fee paid by the person for any purpose may be forfeited.

2.1.5.4 The person will be excluded from any future admission to or enrolment with ACU and, where a student record exists, a notation will be added to the record on the ACU student system.

2.2 Fraudulent or misleading information provided by a current or former ACU student or a person claiming to be a current or former ACU student

2.2.1 Any person who becomes aware of apparently fraudulent or misleading documentation provided by a current or former ACU student or a person claiming to be a current or former ACU student will advise the Academic Registrar.

2.2.2 The Academic Registrar will ensure the situation is investigated and for this purpose may obtain further information from any relevant parties.

2.2.3 If such investigation confirms the apparent existence of fraudulent or misleading documentation and the person is an existing student, the Academic Registrar may deal with the matter in accordance of Section 2.2.4 below or may refer the matter to the Designated Officer under Statute 10 Student Conduct and Discipline.

2.2.4 If such investigation confirms the apparent existence of fraudulent or misleading documentation and the person is not an existing student or the Academic Registrar determines to deal with the case of an existing student in accordance with this Section, the Academic Registrar will write to the person to seek clarification and/or substantiation in relation to the documentation in question.

2.2.4.1 The person is required to respond in writing, within 20 working days of the date of the request from the Academic Registrar.

2.2.4.2 If documentation cannot be substantiated, the person's current enrolment and/or other transactions with the University will be cancelled. In the case of an ACU graduate, the University may revoke the award.

2.2.4.3 The person will be advised of the relevant outcome in writing.

2.2.4.4 Any fee paid by the person for any purpose may be forfeited.

2.2.4.5 The person will be excluded from any future admission to or enrolment with ACU and, where a student record exists, a notation will be added to the record on the ACU student system.

3. Notification to relevant parties and authorities

In all cases in which fraudulent or misleading documentation has been confirmed to have been provided, the University will:

1. advise any organisations to whom, or from whom, fraudulent or misleading information has been provided of the finding. Such organisations will be provided with the relevant person's name/alias(es), date of birth, gender, nationality/citizenship and relevant academic details, including a copy of the fraudulent documentation; and, where appropriate,
2. report the finding to Universities Australia for inclusion on its register; and/or
3. provide information to, or lay a complaint with, the relevant state/territory Police authority.

¹Includes Manager, International Education Office, in the case of applications from international students being processed by that office.