When you are looking for part-time work, a tutoring or academic support role can sound like a great opportunity. You might see an advertisement asking for students with strong marks, bilingual skills, or experience in a particular degree. The role may be promoted through social media, messaging apps or student networks, including Chinese-language platforms.
But not every “tutoring” job is legitimate.
Here's how to spot an illegitimate job ad and what you can do to safeguard yourself from the risks of contract cheating
What these roles actually involve
Contract cheating companies do not only target students who are struggling with assessments. They can also target high-performing students and ask them to become “tutors”, “assignment helpers”, “academic writers” or “editors”. In reality, the work may involve completing assignments, writing essays, solving exam questions, preparing assessment responses or pretending to help another student while doing the work for them.
Some roles promoted as “academic support” may actually involve doing work for others.
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LinkWhat’s the difference between tutoring and cheating?
Legitimate tutoring helps another student understand concepts, develop skills and complete their own work. Contract cheating crosses the line when you are asked to produce work that someone else will submit as their own.
Why this puts you at risk
These roles can put you at serious risk. Helping another student cheat is not harmless, even if the company presents it as “study support” or “online tutoring”. It can undermine your own academic integrity, damage your professional reputation and involve you in illegal commercial cheating activity.
Students who work for these companies may also become victims themselves. Some companies use pressure, threats or blackmail to keep students working for them. For example, they may threaten to report you to the University if you stop accepting work, ask for personal information, or use your previous work as leverage. If this has happened to you, you are not alone, and support is available.
Red flags to watch out for
Be cautious if a role:
- asks you to complete assignments, exams or quizzes for someone else
- uses terms like "ghostwriting", "model answers" or "guaranteed marks"
- pays unusually high rates for fast turnaround work
- asks you to keep the work secret or move to private messaging apps
Also look out for roles that:
- target high-performing students in specific courses
- request personal or university information
- lack clear employer details or a proper contract
- pressure you to keep working after you say no
Get advice before you accept
If you are unsure whether a job is legitimate, you can ask for advice before accepting it. The Careers Centre can help you assess job advertisements, understand safe employment practices and look for legitimate student-friendly work. The Office of Educational Integrity can provide guidance if you are worried that a role may involve contract cheating or if you have already been contacted by a cheating service.
If you are already involved and feel trapped, threatened or embarrassed, please seek support early. You do not have to manage it alone. Keep records of messages or advertisements, avoid sharing more personal information, and contact the University for confidential guidance about your options.
Your skills and hard work are valuable. Use them in ways that support your future, protect your integrity and help others learn honestly.