Academic Integrity

Academic integrity at Bond University

Bond University is committed to ensuring you are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to be successful in your studies and career. Academic integrity is central to this, because it safeguards professional competence and promotes ethical occupational behaviour. Our academic integrity standards protect you, the university, and industry. At Bond, academic integrity means doing the right thing in your studies—being honest, fair, respectful, responsible, courageous, trustworthy, and professional.  

"Academic integrity lies at the very heart of any university.  Without academic integrity, there can be no reputation for either individuals or the institution. To build a culture of academic integrity demands commitment from the whole of the university community. At Bond, we embrace this challenge and expect every student, staff member and alumni, and regardless of the circumstances, to act with integrity."

Professor Tim Brailsford, Vice Chancellor and President, Bond University 

What is academic integrity?

Academic integrity is about acting ethically in your learning, teaching, and research. It means:

  • Being honest in your work.  
  • Taking responsibility for your actions.  
  • Respecting others’ ideas by properly referencing them.  
  • Avoiding cheating, plagiarism, and other dishonest behaviours.  

Bond expects all students and staff to uphold these values. Breaches of academic integrity—known as academic misconduct—can seriously affect your grades, reputation, and future. 

The seven principles of academic integrity

Honesty

Be truthful, acknowledge sources, and avoid deception.  

Trust

Build reliability through genuine, thoughtful work.  

Fairness

Treat others impartially and take responsibility for your actions.  

Respect

Listen actively, value diverse opinions, and recognise the impact of your words and actions.  

Responsibility

Own your learning and stand up for integrity in your community.  

Courage

Do the right thing, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.  

Professionalism

Demonstrate integrity in all academic and professional conduct. 

Be truthful, acknowledge sources, and avoid deception.  

These principles have been adapted from the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI). (2014). The fundamental values of academic integrity (2nd ed.). Clemson University.

How to act with integrity

Behave ethically
  • Do your own work.  
  • Don’t share assignments or answers.  
  • Use sources properly and reference them correctly.  
  • Follow copyright, privacy, and intellectual property laws.  
Be informed
  • Understand your course requirements and university expectations.  
  • Know what’s expected of you.  
  • Use support services like the Academic Skills Centre and Library.  
  • Ask for help if you’re unsure about anything.  
Manage your time
  • Plan ahead using a study planner or diary.  
  • Set goals and track your progress.  
  • Don’t wait until the last minute—reach out if you’re struggling.  
Know your strengths and limitations
  • Avoid plagiarism by learning how to paraphrase, quote, and summarise correctly.  
  • Don’t use paraphrasing software or share assessments with others.  
  • Practice distributed learning—complete tasks gradually over time.  
  • Visit the Academic Skills Centre for help with organisation, time management, and group work. 
Use AI responsibly

Bond encourages responsible use of Generative AI (Gen-AI) to support learning, not replace it. Using AI to do your work when AI is prohibited for that assessment is academic misconduct. Ensure you refer to Bond University's Generative AI Assessment Framework and take note of which category applies to each assessment. If you're unsure, ask your educator for advice.

Learn more about using Generative AI at Bond

Complete Bond's compulsory Academic Integrity Module

All new Bond students must complete the Academic Integrity Module during Orientation Week. This free, 30-minute online course helps you understand the importance of ethical academic behaviour, recognise misconduct, and learn how to avoid it. You’ll earn a digital certificate upon completion. The module is also available to continuing students who want a refresher.

Start the module now

Support at Bond

Academic Integrity Module

A compulsory online module which all students must complete.

Start the module

Academic Skills Centre
  • Book weekly 30-minute one-on-one sessions.  
  • Get help with writing, referencing, study strategies, and more.  

Visit the Academic Skills Centre

Library and Faculty Librarians

Bond University Library offers a range of services including:

  • Help with research
  • Help with referencing and referencing guides
    • The Library offers resources that help to protect against misconduct by enhancing referencing and research skills.
    • You can track and organise referencing sources when researching and working on assessments. This can be done using Bond’s subscription to various reference management tools (e.g. Mendeley, EndNote and RefWorks).
  • Information tools and apps
  • Course guides
  • Information skills
  • Workshops and library tours

In addition, the University Library can help with advice on information resources, literature reviews, current awareness, open access, and bibliometrics. The Faculty Librarians are your first point of contact for conversations about how the Library can help.

Student Wellbeing

At Bond, we recognise that many students are balancing multiple responsibilities with their studies (including for instance family and financial pressures) and/or facing challenges with their physical or mental wellbeing. These responsibilities and challenges may affect a student's ability or resolve to uphold integrity in their studies. If this sounds like you, we urge you to look after yourself and reach out for support.

Bond University is committed to providing programs, services and a supportive environment to ensure the wellbeing of all students both on campus and off-shore. Bond's Student Success and Wellbeing team is prepared with an all-encompassing service that takes into consideration every aspect of student wellbeing. The team:

  • Provides confidential, non-judgmental and inclusive support.
  • Connects students to appropriate support services such as counselling, accessibility, mentoring, academic support, medical and career pathways. 

Learn more about student wellbeing services at Bond.

Student Affairs and Service Quality (SASQ)

We understand that study can be challenging. Bond's Student Affairs and Service Quality (SASQ) Teams are dedicated to providing a professional, personal and responsive service to students, with a focus on supporting their academic progression.  

Should you need assistance, please contact your Faculty SASQ team to arrange an appointment. 

Faculty / Academic Unit email contacts:

 

Bond University Student Association (BUSA)

The Bond University Student Association (BUSA) is your student organisation and provides services to the broader student community. BUSA's mission is to make student life at Bond more rewarding. Activities range from enhancing academic pursuits to facilitating sporting involvement and arranging social events. BUSA is a voluntary, apolitical group of elected students here to represent you and help you make the most of your time at Bond.

BUSA offers various services and supports to students, including providing advice and advocacy support when it comes to academic integrity issues. BUSA can also represent student views on academic integrity, relaying any concerns with the relevant University stakeholder.  

Learn more about BUSA

Are you being blackmailed by a cheating service?

Commercial cheating services sometimes blackmail students, threatening to tell the university, their family, or their employer that the student used their service. They may demand ongoing payments or try to coerce you into recruiting other students. This can happen while you are studying or after you have graduated.

Blackmail does not stop when you pay. It typically escalates. The only way to end it is to remove the blackmailer’s leverage. Once the university knows, there is nothing left to threaten you with.

If this is happening to you, please come forward. Your safety is our priority.

Contact the Office of Integrity to discuss your options, including by confidential phone call on +61 7 5595 5043.

What happens if you come forward:

  • The university will support you to manage the situation.
  • If you have shared your student login credentials, IT security will help secure your account.
  • You will be referred to Student Wellbeing for support.
  • The cheating service will be reported to TEQSA, Australia’s higher education regulator.
  • Using a cheating service is still academic misconduct and will be addressed under university procedures.

If you are being pressured by another student to use a cheating service or to share your work, this is also something you can report to the Office of Integrity or your educator.

If you need immediate support:

Academic misconduct and how to avoid it

Academic misconduct can have serious consequences, including failing grades, suspension, or expulsion. It is important to understand what constitutes misconduct and the strategies to avoid it. Learn how to manage your time, meet expectations, and uphold integrity in your work. You’ll also find support services and advice on what to do if you're ever involved in a misconduct case. 

Understand academic misconduct and how to avoid it

Quick links

Academic misconduct and how to avoid it

Academic Integrity Module

Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) guide for students and staff

Academic Skills Centre