These procedures are governed by the Policy on Dealing with Instances of Falsified, Fraudulent or Misleading Documentation (Students).

2.1 Staff involved in the assessment of applications must be vigilant in scrutinising all documentation provided by applicants.

2.2 Where a case of falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation is suspected, the matter should be brought to the attention of the relevant senior officer identified in Schedule 1 of this procedure.

2.3 The relevant senior officer will ensure the matter is investigated, and for this purpose may obtain further information from any relevant parties.

2.4 If such investigation confirms the existence of apparent falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation, the relevant senior officer will refer the case to the Academic Registrar, and provide a report detailing the steps taken to date.

2.5 The Academic Registrar will consider the report and make a decision as to whether the case warrants further action.

2.6 If no further action is to be taken, the Academic Registrar will notify all parties concerned of this decision.

2.7 If the Academic Registrar determines to deal with the case in accordance with this Section, they will write to the applicant to seek clarification and/or substantiation in relation to the documentation or information in question.

2.8 The applicant will be required to respond in writing, within 10 working days of the date of the request from the Academic Registrar.

2.9 If the authenticity of the documentation or information provided cannot be substantiated, the Academic Registrar will determine the case and apply one or more of the following penalties:

1. ensure that the application for admission is cancelled by the University;
2. exclude the person from any future admission to, or enrolment at ACU;
3. require that any fee paid by the person for any purpose be forfeited.

2.10 The applicant and other relevant parties will be notified of the Academic Registrar's decision in writing.

2.11 The Academic Registrar will ensure that recordkeeping and notification requirements are undertaken in accordance with Section 5 of the Policy.

3.1 Any person who becomes aware of apparent falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation provided by a current ACU student during the course of their enrolment must immediately advise the relevant senior officer identified in Schedule 1 of this procedure.

3.2 The relevant senior officer will ensure that the matter is investigated, and for this purpose may obtain further information from any relevant parties.

3.3 If such investigation confirms the existence of apparent falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation, the relevant senior officer will refer the case to the Academic Registrar, and provide a report detailing the steps taken to date.

3.4 The Academic Registrar will consider the report and make a decision as to whether the case warrants further action.

3.5 If no further action is to be taken, the Academic Registrar will notify all parties concerned of this decision.

3.6 If the Academic Registrar determines that further action is required, they may:

1. opt to refer the case to be handled under Student Conduct and Discipline Policy; or
2. deal with the case in accordance with this Section of the procedures.

3.7 If the Academic Registrar determines to deal with the case in accordance with this Section, they will write to the student within 10 days of notification to seek clarification and/or substantiation in relation to the documentation or information in question.

3.8 The student will be required to respond in writing, within 10 working days of the date of the request from the Academic Registrar.

3.9 If the authenticity of the documentation or information provided cannot be substantiated, the Academic Registrar will decide the case and apply one or more of the following penalties:

1. issue the student with a formal reprimand;
2. where the fraudulent or misleading documentation relates directly to a unit, recommend a fail grade in respect of that unit;
3. cancel the student's current enrolment and/or other transactions with ACU;
4. exclude the student from any future admission to, or enrolment with ACU;
5. require that any fee paid by the student for any purpose be forfeited.

3.10 The student and other relevant parties will be notified of the Academic Registrar's decision in writing.

3.11 The Academic Registrar will ensure that all recordkeeping and notification requirements are undertaken in accordance with Section 5 of the Policy.

4.1 Any person who becomes aware of apparent falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation provided by a person claiming to be a former ACU student must advise the Academic Registrar.

4.2 The Academic Registrar will investigate the matter, and for this purpose may obtain further information from any relevant parties.

4.3 If no further action is to be taken, the Academic Registrar will notify all parties concerned of this decision.

4.4 If the Academic Registrar determines that further action is required and the person is identified as not being a former ACU student, the Academic Registrar will refer the matter to the Office of General Counsel for action.

4.5 If the Academic Registrar determines that further action is required and the person is identified as a former student of ACU, the Academic Registrar may:

1. deal with the case in accordance with this Section of the procedures; or
2. refer the matter to the relevant State/Territory authority; and
3. advise the former student in writing on behalf of the University of the action taken to date.

4.6 If the Academic Registrar determines to deal with the case in accordance with this Section, they will write to the former student to seek clarification and/or substantiation in relation to the documentation or information in question.

4.7 The former student will be required to respond in writing, within 10 working days of the date of the request from the Academic Registrar.

4.8 If the authenticity of the documentation or information provided cannot be substantiated, the Academic Registrar will decide the case and may apply one or more of the following penalties:

1. in the case of an ACU graduate, recommend to Senate the revocation of any degree awarded;
2. exclude the former student from any future admission to, or enrolment with ACU;
3. require that any fee paid to ACU by the person for any purpose be forfeited.

4.9 The former student and other relevant parties will be notified of the decision in writing.

4.10 The Academic Registrar will ensure that all recordkeeping and notification requirements are undertaken in accordance with Section 5 of the policy.

The following table lists the Relevant Senior Officer for dealing with cases of falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation under the Procedures for Dealing with Instances of Falsified, Fraudulent or Misleading Documentation (Students).

Table 1: Falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation provided by a person applying for admission to study at ACU

Table 2: Falsified, fraudulent or misleading documentation provided by a current ACU student during the course of their enrolment