1. The purpose of our code
As members of the Adelaide University community, students enter a partnership with the University. The purpose of our Student Code of Conduct (the code) is to set out the standards of conduct we expect from students and to explain how every student can expect to be treated as a member of the Adelaide University community.
The code summarises the obligations and responsibilities of students under Adelaide University’s policies and procedures. It aims to foster respectful, cooperative and productive relationships within the Adelaide University community.
Together with University policies and procedures that regulate acceptable behaviours, the code supports Adelaide University in fulfilling its duty of care to staff and students, and in providing a safe environment for the Adelaide University community.
Please read this code in conjunction with our:
- Student Conduct Policy
- Student Misconduct Procedure.
2. Who and what our code applies to
Our code applies to Adelaide University students, regardless of their location or how their course or other activities are delivered.
It applies to:
- activities related to, or undertaken on, property owned or leased by Adelaide University, whether or not connected to a student’s study
- University-owned, managed, affiliated or branded student accommodation
- activities related to privately owned facilities, such as offshore partner universities or organisations, that affect or could affect another person’s ability to study, research, or participate in Adelaide University activities
- conduct or activities (on-campus, off-campus, offshore or online) that have, or are likely to have, an effect on Adelaide University or any member of the Adelaide University community.
The code also applies to students engaged in:
- study-related activities, including all categories of Work Integrated Learning (WIL), exchange and study abroad, study tours and examinations
- representing Adelaide University, for example, in promotional activities, competitions or sport, conferences and volunteering activities
- the use of University facilities and systems, IT resources or other equipment covered by University policy
- activities or events organised by Adelaide University student associations, sports clubs or their affiliated organisations.
3. Our Student Code of Conduct principles
Students at Adelaide University are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the principles and standards set out in this code.
3.1 We engage in conduct consistent with our University values
3.1.1 Our students must uphold the University values of trust, inclusivity, ambition, respect and discovery.
3.1.2 Students are expected to behave in a way that is professional and courteous to all members of the University community.
3.1.3 Students are accountable for their personal and academic decisions and conduct.
3.2 We welcome and respect people of all backgrounds
3.2.1 Students are required to treat others with respect and dignity, and to respect social and cultural diversity. They must not engage in any form of:
- discrimination, bullying, harassment, victimisation or intimidation
- violence and gender-based violence, including sexual harm
- racism, racial and religious vilification.
3.3 We act lawfully, with integrity and we comply with University rules
3.3.1 Students must comply with all Australian (state and federal) laws, and the laws of other countries, where appropriate.
3.3.2 Students are required to demonstrate honesty and integrity in their interactions with the University. They must not engage in fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or corrupt conduct in connection with the University’s various functions. This includes, but is not limited to:
- submitting fraudulent or forged documents to the University or any organisation involved in a University activity (for example, medical documentation)
- presenting work for assessment that is not their own
- falsely claiming an identity, qualification, prior learning or professional experience
- offering a bribe or other improper inducement in relation to the provision of University services or the discharge of the function or duties of University staff.
3.3.3 Students are expected to comply with University statutes, by-laws, policies, procedures and rules, including any rules relating to student conduct. Students are responsible for educating themselves about these rules and understanding them.
3.3.4 Students are expected to comply with and understand policies, procedures and rules regarding their own enrolment and studies, including submission of assessment.
3.3.5 Students must comply with any discipline-specific codes of conduct that may apply to them and their future profession, including while on placement.
3.3.6 Students must use information communication technology facilities, including email, websites, and library resources, appropriately and in accordance with the University’s [IT Acceptable Use Policy].
3.4 We take care of the health, safety and wellbeing of ourselves and others
3.4.1 Students are responsible for maintaining the safety of themselves and others. Students must not engage in behaviour which intentionally or recklessly causes injury to any person or endangers the safety of any person.
3.4.2 Students are responsible for:
- avoiding risk of injury or harm to themselves or others
- reporting hazards to the relevant staff members
- reporting all incidents and injuries to the relevant staff member, regardless of severity.
3.4.3 Students must not breach the law or any policies or procedures relating to smoking, alcohol consumption, use of illicit drugs, gambling or work health and safety.
3.5 We respect the right to enjoy University life
3.5.1 All members of the Adelaide University community have rights and responsibilities and, importantly, the right to enjoy University life.
3.5.2 Our students are expected to avoid behaviour that may detrimentally affect others’ ability to engage with their work, studies or research, or participate in University life. This includes respecting the rights of academic staff to manage their time and balance competing responsibilities.
3.5.3 Students must not disrupt or interfere with University teaching or learning, assessment or graduation activities including while undertaking professional placements and fieldwork.
3.5.4 Students must not disrupt or interfere with University sanctioned social and cultural activities. Interference in this context may include:
- causing a disturbance, annoyance or nuisance to any other student or staff or University stakeholder
- or disobeying any reasonable instructions or directions of University staff or security. Questions may relate to access to campus spaces and behaviour on University premises.
3.5.5 Students are expected to respect freedom of speech and academic freedom, including in academic work.
3.5.6 Students must respect the rights of other members of the Adelaide University community to express their views, including dissent, political or religious views, provided the views and conduct accord with Australian laws and University policy and procedures.
3.5.7 Students are required to respect the rights, sensitivities, and privacy of others in the Adelaide University community when accessing personal information or using information gained through study or related administrative activities. Students must not divulge confidential or personal information without obtaining express permission. This includes audio or visual recordings of any individual, group or activity.
3.5.8 Students must avoid conduct which causes risk or serious damage to the reputation of the University.
3.5.9 Students are expected to respect University property and grounds. Students must not misuse, interfere with, endanger, damage, steal or cause the loss of any property or facilities, or digital assets, which the University owns or controls or which are lawfully on University premises, including intellectual property. They must not recklessly or unsafely use University property, facilities or services. They must not seek or obtain access to University property or spaces to which they are not authorised to have access.
3.5.10 Students must not use any part of a University building or grounds for camping, including using any part of a building as a temporary dwelling at any time (with or without tents, swags, sleeping bags or setting up any other temporary structures), unless authorised by the University.
3.5.11 Students must take reasonable steps to secure their own personal property while on University premises.
3.5.12 Students must identify themselves (for example, produce student identification within a reasonable time of being requested) when asked to do so by a University staff member, by a security officer or examination invigilator.
3.6 We learn from experience
3.6.1 The University recognises that addressing student misconduct does not only involve disciplinary measures, but also educative processes.
3.6.2 The University reviews and learns from cases and patterns of conduct to enable it to address similar matters in the future.
3.7 Breaches of our standards have consequences
3.7.1 Failure by a student to meet these expected standards of behaviour or to comply with the code may constitute student misconduct under the Student Conduct Policy, Student Misconduct Procedure, Academic Integrity Policy or [Investigating and Managing Research Conduct Procedure]. This includes attempted misconduct or behaviour that incites another person to engage in student academic misconduct or our definitions.
4. Definitions used in our code
Please refer to our Adelaide University Glossary for a full list of our definitions.
Adelaide University community refers to a broad range of stakeholders who engage with Adelaide University and includes (but is not limited to) all students, staff, and non-staff members of Adelaide University including alumni, honorary titleholders, adjuncts, visiting academics, guest lecturers, volunteers, suppliers and partners who are engaging with and contributing to the work of Adelaide University.
Assessment means the process of determining how well a student has achieved the learning outcomes, using graded or non-graded tasks.
Bullying means repeated unreasonable behaviour by an individual or group towards a student or staff member, or a group of students or staff members, that creates a risk to health and safety. This includes cyberbullying.
Discrimination means harm to a person because of a protected attribute.
Exchange means study undertaken under a formal agreement between Adelaide University and an overseas provider.
Gender means the gender-related identity, appearance or mannerisms or other gender-related characteristics of a person. This includes the way people express or present their gender and recognises that a person’s gender identity may be an identity other than male or female.
Gender-based violence means any form of physical or non‑physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats, based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in, harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation of liberty or autonomy.
Harassment means unwelcome behaviour or language that has the effect of offending, intimidating or humiliating a person based on a protected attribute, in circumstances where a reasonable person, having regard to the circumstances, would anticipate that the person harassed would be offended, humiliated or intimidated.
Protected attribute means the unlawful grounds for discriminating against a person, which includes the person's race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, breastfeeding, gender identity, intersex status, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family or carer's responsibilities, subjection to family and domestic violence, pregnancy, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin.
Race means a person’s colour, country of birth, ancestry, ethnic origin or nationality.
Racial and religious vilification means behaviour in a public place that incites hatred, serious contempt or ridicule of a person or group of people, because of their race and/or their religious activities and religious beliefs.
Racism means the process by which systems and policies, actions and attitudes create inequitable opportunities and outcomes for people based on race. Racism is more than just prejudice in thought or action. It occurs when this prejudice – whether individual or institutional – is accompanied by the power to discriminate against, oppress or limit the rights of others.
Religious activities means engaging in, not engaging in or refusing to engage in a religious activity.
Religious beliefs means holding or not holding a religious belief or view.
Sexual harm means any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature.
Student means, for the purposes of this code:
- a person who is enrolled in, or has deferred enrolment in, or is on formal leave of absence or suspension from, an academic program, a course or a group of courses at or offered by the University or an affiliated educational establishment that leads to a University award
- a person who is authorised to participate in learning or research training activities of any type at the University
- a student of another education institution who is authorised to have access to University premises, facilities, or both
- a person who was a student at the time that the alleged misconduct took place.
Student misconduct means conduct by a student that:
- is inconsistent with the Student Code of Conduct
- breaches, or is in contravention of, a University statute, rule, code, by-law, or policy
- constitutes misconduct not otherwise defined as academic misconduct or research misconduct (See the Academic Integrity Policy and the [Investigating and Managing Research Conduct Procedure] for definitions of academic misconduct and research misconduct)
- involves an act or omission that adversely affects the University or any member of the University community
- includes any attempt to engage in conduct described in paragraphs (a) to (d).
Violence means physical force or actions that are intended to hurt, damage or kill someone (for example, aggravated assault).
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) is an umbrella term for a pedagogical approach that combines theoretical learning of a discipline or professional context with practical experience, either actual, simulated and/or virtual, as a planned part of the curriculum. This approach helps students apply academic concepts to real-world work and professional situations, enhancing their skills, employability and understanding.
5. How our code is governed
Our code is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below:
| Policy category | Academic |
|---|---|
| Approving authority | Co-Vice Chancellors / Vice Chancellor & President |
| Policy owner | Deputy Vice Chancellor - Student Experience and Success |
| Responsible officer | Executive Director, Student and Academic Services |
| Effective from | 1 January 2026 |
| Review date | Three years after date this version is approved, [TBC] |
| Enquiries | Interim Central Policy Unit |
| Replaced documents | None |
6. Documents related to our code
| Category | Documents |
|---|---|
| Associated legislation | Adelaide University Act 2023 (SA) Age Discrimination Act 2004 (Cth) Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 Disability Discrimination Act 1992 Disability Inclusion Act 2018 (SA) Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA) Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 [HESF Sections 2.3.4, 5.2.1 and 7.2.2 c] Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 (Cth) Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) Racial Vilification Act 1996 (SA) |
| Related policy documents | [Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech Policy] [Bullying and Harassment Procedure] [Confirmation of Identity Policy] Conflict of Interest Policy Equity and Inclusion Policy [First Nations Policy] [Supporting Gender and Identity Confirmation Procedure] [Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Harm Policy] [Gender-Based Violence and Sexual Harm Procedure] [IT Acceptable Use Policy] [Intellectual Property Policy] [Intellectual Property Procedure] Privacy Policy [Privacy Management Procedure] Research Integrity Policy Student Complaints Policy Student Complaints Resolution Procedure Student Critical Incident Procedure Student Wellbeing and Safety Policy Student Wellbeing and Safety Procedure |
7. History of changes
| Date approved | To section/clauses | Description of change |
|---|---|---|
| 11 December 2025 | N/A | New code |
At the time of writing, Adelaide University’s organisational structure, position titles, and committee names have not been confirmed. Square brackets [ ] indicate placeholders for these details. Brackets are also used to identify policy elements that are subject to further decision-making or confirmation. These will be updated once final decisions are made.