Commercial cheating services and contract cheating
Commercial cheating services may look like tutoring, assignment help, editing, proofreading or study support. They may contact students online, via class groups, by email, via QR codes, on social media, or in person on or near campus.
These services are not legitimate CDU support services. They can put students at risk of academic misconduct, blackmail, identity theft, financial scams and misuse of CDU accounts.
Use this page to learn how to recognise commercial cheating services, protect your account, report concerns and access support.
What are commercial cheating services?
Commercial cheating services offer to complete, write, rewrite, edit, sell, or otherwise provide academic work for students.
They may advertise themselves as:
- tutoring
- study help
- assignment support
- editing or proofreading
- exam help
- academic assistance
- guaranteed grades
- model answers
- assessment support.
Some services may use CDU-related language, course names, unit names or informal student groups to look legitimate.
If a service offers to do the work for you, it is not legitimate study support.
What contract cheating can involve
Contract cheating can include asking, paying or allowing another person, service, or organisation to complete academic work for you.
This may include:
- someone writing all or part of an assessment for you
- someone editing, rewriting or paraphrasing your work so that it is no longer your own
- buying or using answers, model assignments, or exam responses
- asking someone else to sit a test, quiz, exam, or placement assessment for you
- sharing your CDU login details so someone else can access Learnline, assessment material, or university systems
- uploading assessment tasks, drafts, course materials or exam questions to a third-party service
- recruiting or encouraging other students to use a cheating service.
Contract cheating is a serious academic integrity issue. It may also expose students to personal, financial, and cybersecurity risks.
Report concerns immediately
If you are approached, see advertising, receive suspicious messages, or feel threatened, the first step is to report your experience.
Report a cheating approach or concern
If you have already engaged with one of these organisations, please complete the form.
We can provide you with wrap-around support from CDU's wellbeing, technology and security teams.
A note about generative AI
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be used appropriately in some learning and assessment contexts, but expectations may differ between units, courses, and assessment tasks.
Students must follow the instructions provided by their lecturer, unit coordinator, course materials, and CDU policies. Where GenAI use is permitted, students may be required to acknowledge, reference, or explain how it was used.
Using GenAI to complete work in a way that is not permitted, not disclosed, or misrepresents the work as entirely your own may raise academic integrity concerns.
If you are unsure whether you can use GenAI for an assessment, ask your lecturer or unit coordinator before submitting your work.
Contract cheating at university
Commercial cheating services may try to look helpful or legitimate.
How students may be targeted
Be cautious if a person, website, social media account or group chat:
- offers to complete your work for you
- promises guaranteed marks or fast turnaround
- asks for your CDU username, password, or multi-factor authentication code
- asks you to upload assessment tasks, drafts, lecture slides, unit materials, or exam questions
- contacts you through WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat, Instagram, Facebook, email, or class group chats
- asks you to scan a QR code to join an assignment help or study support group
- advertises on campus through posters, flyers, cards, stickers, or notices
- pressures you to pay quickly or keep the arrangement secret
- asks you to recruit other students
- threatens to report you to CDU unless you pay more money.
If something feels suspicious, you can report it or ask for advice.
Risks to students
Using or engaging with a commercial cheating service can place students at serious risk.
These risks may include:
- blackmail or threats
- financial scams
- identity theft
- loss of control over your personal information
- misuse of your CDU account
- pressure to provide information about other students
- pressure to recruit other students
- academic misconduct proceedings
- failing an assessment or unit
- disciplinary action under CDU processes.
Some students are threatened or blackmailed after using these services. Others are pressured to pay more money, provide course materials, share class group details, or promote the service to other students.
If this has happened to you, please seek help early.
Protect your CDU account
Do not share your CDU username, password, multi-factor authentication code, Learnline access, assessment files, or personal information with any third party.
If you have shared your CDU login details or think your account may have been compromised:
- change your CDU password immediately
- do not respond to further messages from the service
- keep screenshots or evidence if it is safe to do so
- contact CDU IT support for help securing your account.
Digital Technology Services (CDU IT Support)
Submit a ticket via LogIT on Student Portal
itsupport@cdu.edu.au (for faults)
Have any concerns or want to request support?
Use the form if you:
- have been approached by a commercial cheating service
- have seen posters, flyers, stickers, cards or QR codes promoting cheating services
- have received suspicious messages online or in a class group
- think your CDU account or personal information may have been compromised
- are being pressured, threatened or blackmailed
- have already used or contacted one of these services and are worried
- are unsure whether something is legitimate and would like advice.
Report a concern or request support
You do not need to know which CDU team should handle the issue. Your submission will be reviewed and directed to the appropriate area for support, safety, IT security, assessment or academic integrity advice.
Submitting the form does not automatically start a misconduct process. If academic integrity or student conduct concerns need to be considered, CDU will explain the relevant process and available support.
If you are being threatened or blackmailed
If you are being threatened, pressured, or blackmailed by a commercial cheating service, please seek help as soon as possible.
If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
If you are on campus or need campus security support, contact CDU Security.
If you are distressed or need to speak with someone urgently, contact the 24/7 CDU Wellbeing Support Line by calling 1300 933 393 or SMS 0488 884 144
You are not expected to manage threats, blackmail, or account security concerns on your own. CDU can help connect you with the right support. See our life, health and wellbeing page for available services.
Get legitimate study support
If you are struggling with an assessment, contact your lecturer or unit coordinator as early as possible.
CDU students can also access legitimate support services, including:
- Language and Learning Support
- Library support
- Learnline support
- Student Central
- Counselling and wellbeing support
- Student Advocacy
- Student Conduct and Complaints Management Unit.
Explore Life, health and wellbeing support
Using CDU support services can help you understand assessment requirements, improve your academic skills and manage study pressures without putting your studies, CDU account, or personal information at risk.