Australia university Turnitin guide: understand assessment similarity reports

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Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 minute read

What a similarity report tells you

For an Australian university assessment, a similarity report can show where submitted text matches webpages, publications, and other sources. It does not determine whether academic misconduct has occurred. A highlighted section may be a legitimate quotation or correctly referenced material; it may also be a passage worth revising.

Review an assessment before submission

1. Read the unit outline, rubric, and academic-integrity guidance.
2. Confirm the required referencing style and make sure citations are complete.
3. Inspect significant matches in context, including the surrounding paragraph and original source.
4. Use genuine paraphrasing: explain the source idea in your own structure and cite it.
5. Check that your final file has no comments, copied instructions, or accidental duplicate text.

Similarity score myths to avoid

There is no single “acceptable” percentage for every assessment. A result depends on the assignment type, source use, reference list, and the settings used by a university. A high result can include legitimate material, while a low result does not automatically prove that all source use is sound. Focus on the actual matches and your school’s rules.

Keep the writing process visible

Save your notes, outline, research material, and draft versions. This gives you a reliable record of how your work developed and makes it easier to respond if your tutor asks about a source or passage.