We have developed key aspects of our regulatory approach in consultation with higher education stakeholders. We recognise that consultation influences the quality of our relations with the higher education sector and can be an important way of collecting evidence which allows us to meet the objects of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act).
Current consultations
There are no consultations currently open.
Previous consultations
Guidance notes on academic governance, recognition of prior learning, and delivery with other parties
(Closed 7 March 2023)
To support TEQSA’s ongoing work to improve the efficiency of our regulatory operations and support greater self-assurance within the higher education sector, we are continuing to enhance TEQSA’s suite of guidance notes for registered higher education providers.
- Guidance note: Academic governance (MS Word, 82 KB)
- Guidance note: Credit and recognition of prior learning (MS Word, 127 KB)
- Guidance note: Delivery with other parties (MS Word, 125 KB)
Consultation for proposed amendments to Register Guidelines
(Closed 16 December 2022)
TEQSA has commenced a consultation process for proposed amendments to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Register) Guidelines 2017 (Register Guidelines).
The reason for the proposed amendments is to promote transparency regarding TEQSA's regulatory decisions and actions and remove any doubt about which trading names the Register must include in respect of registered providers' higher education operations.
Summary of feedback
TEQSA received two submissions during the consultation period.
Both submissions supported the inclusion of the additional information proposed in the consultation paper. One submission opposed the removal of previous trading names and the other supported it (while noting that this information may be useful to future students).
Guidance Note: Research requirements for Australian universities
(Closed 7 September 2022)
To support TEQSA’s ongoing work to improve the efficiency of our regulatory operations and support greater self-assurance within the higher education sector, we are enhancing TEQSA’s suite of guidance notes for registered higher education providers.
This work will reinforce the role of guidance notes to provide guidance that focuses on a specific section of the Higher Education Standards Framework (2021) while drawing attention to connections with other sections and highlighting potential compliance issues.
Following sector feedback during consultation last year, this project will ultimately reduce the number of guidance notes from 32 to 28 to ensure each guidance note aligns with a section of the Standards framework. Sector feedback has also informed the development of a new, simpler template for guidance notes.
The draft guidance note outlines what TEQSA will look for when considering university research in relation to requirements outlined in the TEQSA Act and Higher Education Standards Framework (2021).
Summary of external consultation
- Download the summary of external consultation (PDF, 167 KB)
Revised Guidance Note: Research and Research Training
(Closed 6 July 2022)
To support TEQSA’s ongoing work to improve the efficiency of our regulatory operations and support greater self-assurance within the higher education sector, we are enhancing TEQSA’s suite of guidance notes for registered higher education providers.
This work will reinforce the role of guidance notes to provide guidance that focuses on a specific section of the Higher Education Standards Framework (2021) while drawing attention to connections with other sections and highlighting potential compliance issues.
Following sector feedback during consultation last year, this project will ultimately reduce the number of guidance notes from 32 to 28 to ensure each guidance note aligns with a section of the Standards framework. Sector feedback has also informed the development of a new, simpler template for guidance notes.
The Guidance Note outlines, with regard to the Higher Education Standards Framework, what TEQSA will look for and common issues associated with Research and Research Training.
Register and information guidelines
(Closed 26 November 2021)
The Register Guidelines is a legislative instrument that sets out the information that TEQSA must enter on the National Register in respect of each registered higher education provider.
The Information Guidelines is a legislative instrument that sets out the Commonwealth authorities and the State or Territory authorities to which TEQSA may disclose higher education information under sections 189 and 194 of the TEQSA Act.
Revised compliance guides
(Closed 10 November 2021)
On 1 July 2021 the new Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HESF) came into effect.
TEQSA is reviewing the current suite of guidance notes to ensure they reflect the requirements of the new HESF.
As part of this review, TEQSA developed a new template to streamline our guidance materials.
TEQSA fees and charges consultation
(Closed 3 June 2021)
On 30 April 2021, TEQSA released the TEQSA Fees and Charges Consultation Paper for feedback from the sector. The consultation paper outlined the details of TEQSA’s proposed approach for transitioning to the new cost recovery arrangements.
Draft legislative instrument
(Closed 28 April 2021)
In February 2021, the Australian Parliament passed the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Provider Category Standards and Other Measures) Bill 2020. The Bill gives effect to the Australian Government’s decision to implement all 10 recommendations arising from the Provider Category Standards review conducted in 2019.
Among other things, the Bill amends the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act) to allow TEQSA to make a determination of the matters which it must have regard to when assessing the quality of the research undertaken by a provider which is registered, or applies to be registered, in the Australian University category. By approval from the Minister, this determination becomes a legislative instrument.
TEQSA proposes to make a determination which sets out a number of matters which are relevant to an assessment of research quality. The list is non-exhaustive and does not specify benchmarks or thresholds for quality; it is a determination of considerations in an assessment of research quality.
Discussion paper: Making and assessing claims of scholarship and scholarly activity
(Closed 14 December 2020)
TEQSA sought to review whether its current approach to assessing claims of scholarship and scholarly activity (as described in the Guidance Note on Scholarship) is adequate, or if the approach needs to be reconceptualised. The purpose of this discussion paper was to set out, for consideration by the sector and other stakeholders, draft principles that were proposed to guide providers in making claims related to scholarship, and to inform TEQSA’s assessments of such claims.
Information Guidelines
(Closed 27 March 2020)
TEQSA sought feedback on the Commonwealth, State and Territory bodies that we proposed to include in an update to our Information Guidelines.
The Information Guidelines is a legislative instrument that sets out the Commonwealth authorities and the State or Territory authorities to which TEQSA may disclose higher education information under sections 189 and 194 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011.
Fit and proper person considerations
(Closed 1 December 2017)
As a consequence of the passing of the Education Legislative Amendment (Provider Integrity and Other Measures) Act 2017, TEQSA is able to specify matters that the agency may have regard to in deciding whether a person is a fit and proper person for the purposes of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011.
Sector consultation on proposed changes to the publication of TEQSA’s decisions
(Closed 14 March 2017)
TEQSA sought feedback, via a consultation paper, on the proposed changes to the publication of regulatory decisions.
The consultation focused on proposed changes to the frequency and way we published decisions.
Questions about whether we should publish more information, including rejections, involve an important balance between the interests of higher education providers, students and other stakeholders.
The developments in our practices and in the approaches of other agencies meant that it was timely to revisit these issues.
We proposed that a simplified set of principles be adopted, informed by approaches of other Australian Government agencies, to guide our future approach.
As part of the consultation process, we will carefully consider all feedback before we make any changes to our approach. We are committed to ensuring that all stakeholders have an opportunity to provide us with their views.
Summary of consultation
Principles of consultation
Our approach to consultation is guided by the regulatory principles of: reflecting risk, proportionality and necessity. Our consultations are also guided by the following principles which are covered in further detail in TEQSA’s approach to consultation.
Broad consultation
We endeavour to consult with all relevant stakeholders.
Clear purpose and scope
We will clearly explain the objectives of the consultation process.
Enough time
We aim to allow enough time for stakeholders to consider the potential impact of items out for consultation.
Accessible
We will ensure consultation processes and documents can be easily accessed by all stakeholders
Minimal burden
Where possible, we aim to keep the potential impact of consultation to a minimum.
Clear feedback and outcomes
Where possible, we will provide clear feedback to participants following each consultation.
Improvement
We will formally evaluate each consultation process to identify ways of making future consultations more effective and efficient.
Confidentiality and privacy
We will consider all requests to keep information confidential. While TEQSA has certain statutory obligations of confidentiality under the TEQSA Act, we also operate within a public accountability framework which includes obligations to provide information to certain government stakeholders.
For more information on all of the points above view TEQSA’s approach to consultation.