1. Policy Statement
This policy provides the framework for maintaining coordinated and consistent practices across Australian Catholic University in dealing with instances of falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation.
2. Background information
Providing falsified or fraudulent documentation may be a criminal offence and ACU may report confirmed cases of falsification or fraudulence to the relevant State/Territory police and/or other relevant authority. Additionally, ACU may report specific confirmed cases of falsification or fraudulence to Universities Australia for inclusion on their register.
Applicants to ACU and students enrolling at ACU are required to declare that the information supplied regarding their admission/enrolment is correct and complete. They are also informed that the submission of incorrect or incomplete information may result in the withdrawal of any offer and/or cancellation of enrolment (with full financial and academic penalty) at any stage.
3. Policy Scope
This policy applies in the event that falsified or fraudulent documentation, or documents containing misleading information intended to deceive the University or misrepresent the truth, has been provided, or is suspected to have been provided, to ACU.
This includes information and documentation provided during admission processes, during current study, and the use of ACU documents (for example testamurs, academic transcripts or ID cards) by:
- a student applicant to ACU;
- a current or former ACU student; and/or
- a person claiming to be a current or former ACU student
4. Application of Policy
4.1 In the case that falsified or fraudulent documentation, or documentation containing misleading information intended to deceive the University or misreprepresent the truth, is suspected to have been provided, the matter will be handled consistent with the appropriate process defined in the Procedures for Dealing with Instances of Falsified, Fraudulent or Misleading Documentation (Students).
4.2 Where falsified or fraudulent documentation, or documentation containing misleading information intended to deceive the University or misreprepresent the truth, is confirmed to have been provided, the Academic Registrar may impose such penalty as as defined in the Procedures for Dealing with Instances of Falsified, Fraudulent or Misleading Documentation (Students), or may refer the matter to be dealt with under another process, either internal or external to the University.
5. Recordkeeping and Notification to Relevant Parties and Authorities
5.1 In instances where falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation has been confirmed to have been provided, the Academic Registrar will:
- ensure that details of the case and any decision reached are recorded on the University Register of Instances of Falsified, Fraudulent or Misleading Documentation;
- advise any relevant officer or section of the University as may need to take action as a result of the decision;
- where an ACU student record exists, record details of the case on that student’s record on the ACU student system;
- advise any organisations to whom, or from whom, falsified, 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 falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation;
5.2 Where appropriate, the University may also:
- report the finding to Universities Australia for inclusion on its register; and/or
- provide information to, or lay a complaint with, the relevant professional accrediting or regulatory bodies and/or State/Territory authorities.
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