Australian academics are increasingly feeling pressured to pass students suspected of cheating, raising serious concerns about the integrity of educational standards.

This pressure is largely driven by financial concerns, as universities rely on revenue from full fee-paying international students, many of whom struggle with language barriers.

Experts highlight that international students are particularly vulnerable to contract cheating, facing both language challenges and immense pressure to succeed.

The rise of AI technologies, such as ChatGPT, has further complicated the issue, leading to increased instances of plagiarism and academic dishonesty among students.

Many students report using AI tools during assessments without facing significant repercussions, indicating a gap in enforcement.

Despite the surge in AI-related cheating, traditional contract cheating methods remain prevalent, with companies completing assignments for a fee.

Deakin University noted a substantial increase in contract cheating cases in 2022, attributing this rise to enhanced detection methods.

Public universities across Australia, including UNSW and Deakin, have reported significant increases in plagiarism cases, particularly related to contract cheating.

Experts argue that the education sector must engage in more honest discussions about academic integrity and reassess outdated assessment methods.

Concerns about academic integrity are often met with resistance, and some academics face backlash for raising issues related to plagiarism.

Kane Murdoch, who leads efforts against contract cheating, has faced severe threats due to his work, highlighting the risks involved in addressing these issues.