The recent Federal Court ruling against Chegg Inc. marks a pivotal moment in Australia's battle against academic misconduct in higher education. On March 27, 2026, Judge Craig Lenehan imposed a A$500,000 fine on the US-based online learning platform for facilitating cheating services to Australian university students. This decision, stemming from incidents at Monash University in 2021 and 2022, underscores the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency's (TEQSA) commitment to upholding academic integrity across the nation's universities and colleges.

Chegg's Expert Q&A service allowed students to submit exam and assignment questions, receiving detailed solutions from subject matter experts shortly thereafter. In this case, engineering, information technology, and physics assessments were compromised, highlighting vulnerabilities in online learning environments that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The judgment not only delivers financial penalties but also sets a precedent for regulating international platforms that inadvertently—or deliberately—undermine educational standards.

Understanding Chegg: From Study Aid to Cheating Enabler

Chegg, founded in 2005, positions itself as a digital learning platform offering textbook solutions, homework help, and expert Q&A services to millions of students worldwide. Its subscription model, which peaked at around 8.1 million global users, provides step-by-step answers to a vast repository of academic problems. However, in the Australian context, this has often crossed into contract cheating territory.

Contract cheating, defined as outsourcing academic work to third parties, has plagued higher education for years. TEQSA estimates it affects up to 8% of assessments in some institutions, with platforms like Chegg making it easier than ever. During the pandemic, unsupervised online exams saw a spike; for instance, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) reported 55 cases in one math course alone where students posted questions on Chegg. Chegg's rapid response times—often within hours—made it particularly appealing, as researchers from Australian universities found answers to nearly half their modules on the site.

Australian universities like Monash, UNSW, and Curtin have long warned students against using Chegg, labeling it a prohibited service. Despite Chegg's Honor Code updates and tools like Honor Shield—which allows educators to block access during exams—the platform's global operations complicated enforcement until TEQSA's intervention.

The Federal Court Case: Unpacking the Judgment

TEQSA initiated proceedings in October 2024 against Chegg Inc. and its Indian subsidiary, alleging five breaches of subsection 114A(3) of the TEQSA Act 2011. This provision, introduced in 2020, prohibits providing, offering, or arranging academic cheating services to higher education students, with maximum penalties up to A$1.665 million per contravention.

The court focused on three specific Monash University assessments where students uploaded questions despite explicit instructions against external collusion. Chegg experts provided solutions, which Judge Lenehan ruled constituted cheating services because the questions 'on their face' indicated they were student work required to be done personally. Chegg was held vicariously liable for its experts' actions.

• Assessment 1: Engineering exam – full solutions provided.
• Assessment 2: IT practical – detailed answers uploaded.
• Assessment 3: Physics test – step-by-step workings shared.

The A$500,000 fine—less than a third of the maximum—was deemed 'significant' relative to Chegg's declining Australian revenue of A$2.2 million in 2025, down from A$729 million in 2022. Additional court costs of A$150,000 were ordered, signaling TEQSA's resolve.

TEQSA's Legislative Arsenal and Enforcement History

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), Australia's independent regulator for higher education providers, gained new powers in 2020 to combat contract cheating. Beyond fines, TEQSA can seek Federal Court injunctions to block cheating websites and social media accounts—disrupting nearly 370 sites and 925 accounts to date.

Prior to Chegg, TEQSA issued alerts on campus-based cheating services and blackmarket operations charging up to A$200 for 5,000-word essays. The 2024-25 TEQSA Annual Report notes ongoing civil penalty proceedings and collaboration with universities on integrity tools. TEQSA CEO Mary Russell emphasized: 'TEQSA will act decisively to address allegations of academic cheating services.' For more on TEQSA's resources, visit their academic misconduct page.

Spotlight on Monash University: A Case Study in Vulnerability

Monash University, one of Australia's Group of Eight (Go8) research-intensive institutions, was central to the case. In 2021-2022, students in STEM courses bypassed proctoring by photographing questions and posting them online. This not only invalidated assessments but eroded trust in qualifications.

Monash's response included enhanced proctoring software, randomized question banks, and honor code pledges. Broader stats reveal the scale: University of Melbourne reported 400 suspected contract cheating cases annually in 2023-2024, while Australian Catholic University logged nearly 6,000 misconduct allegations in 2024.

These incidents highlight regional challenges in Australia's decentralized higher education system, where international students—comprising 40% of enrollments—face language barriers and pressure, exacerbating cheating risks.

University Strategies: From Detection to Prevention

Australian universities have adapted swiftly. Common measures include:

• AI-powered plagiarism detectors like Turnitin, now tuned for GenAI.
• Viva voce exams and in-class tasks for high-stakes assessments.
• Academic integrity modules mandatory for first-years.
• Partnerships with TEQSA for data-sharing on cheating trends.

Deakin University's Phill Dawson advocates shifting from 'assurance of learning' via take-home assignments to more robust formats. UNSW's 2024 report shows continued Chegg use but declining due to awareness campaigns.

The Evolving Landscape: AI and Emerging Threats

While Chegg's fine is landmark, experts like Dawson note it's symbolic; generative AI (GenAI) like ChatGPT now dominates concerns. TEQSA's GenAI Knowledge Hub guides assessment reform, with 2026 surveys showing most academics using AI ethically but students experimenting undetected.

Chegg's global woes—97% share drop, FTC $7.5M settlement—reflect broader industry contraction. Australian unis are piloting AI policies, with Sydney University's 'two-lane' approach separating permitted and prohibited uses.

Stakeholder Voices: Students, Faculty, and Industry

Students argue platforms like Chegg aid learning, not cheating—providing explanations for self-study. Faculty counter that verbatim solutions devalue degrees. Industry leaders praise TEQSA for protecting qualification credibility, vital for Australia's A$48 billion export education sector.

Reactions on social media echo deterrence hopes, though some decry overreach. For balanced views, see Inside Higher Ed's coverage.

Future Outlook: Strengthening Australia's Higher Education Defenses

The Chegg ruling paves the way for proactive regulation, potentially expanding to AI firms. Universities must invest in faculty training—e.g., upskilling via programs linked on AcademicJobs—and ethical tech integration.

Actionable insights: Institutions should audit assessments quarterly, foster peer mentoring, and collaborate internationally. Students: Use resources ethically to build real skills. As AI evolves, vigilance ensures Australian credentials remain world-class.

Photo by Samantha Gilmore on Unsplash