Study Service Accused Of Helping University Students Cheat Loses Landmark Court Case

A Federal Court ruling against US-based study platform Chegg has confirmed the company breached Australia’s anti-cheating laws, in a case with implications for universities including those in Sydney.

The proceedings were brought by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), which alleged Chegg provided services that enabled students to obtain answers to assessment tasks. The court found that Chegg’s “Expert Q&A” service constituted providing or arranging academic cheating services under legislation introduced in 2020.

The case examined conduct involving students at Monash University, where assessment questions were uploaded to the platform and answered by third parties. According to the judgment, Chegg’s service involved the provision of “completed answers to questions that were, or were substantially similar to, questions in university assessments.”

Justice Craig Lenehan found the company had “engaged in conduct that facilitated academic cheating,” and imposed a $500,000 penalty, in addition to legal costs. In his judgment, he stated the services went beyond general study assistance and instead enabled students to circumvent assessment requirements.

Court materials also referenced concerns raised by other institutions, including University of Sydney and University of New South Wales, which had identified Chegg in academic misconduct investigations prior to the case. Submissions noted the platform allowed students to obtain solutions “in near real-time,” including during active exams.

TEQSA chief executive Mary Russell said the decision “sends a clear message that providing academic cheating services to Australian students is illegal, regardless of where the company is based.” She also stated the ruling clarifies how the law applies to online platforms operating across jurisdictions.

The court found Chegg’s services met the legal definition of academic cheating assistance, stating the company “knew, or ought reasonably to have known” how its platform was being used by students.

The outcome establishes a precedent for the application of Australia’s academic integrity laws to third-party service providers and is expected to inform future regulatory action in the higher education sector.