Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Melbourne Institute of Technology Pty Ltd

On 25 September 2014, TEQSA determined, under subsection 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of Melbourne Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (MIT) as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of four years until 25 September 2018 in the provider category of Higher Education Provider

On 25 September 2014, TEQSA imposed, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, six (6) conditions on the registration of MIT as a higher education provider.

On 20 November 2014, TEQSA varied, under subsection 32(2) of the TEQSA Act, the conditions imposed on Melbourne Institute of Technology Pty Ltd on 25 September 2014. The revised conditions are set out below.

Condition 1:

MIT must:

a) present accurate in-depth student attrition, completion, progression and grade distribution data, and undertake a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression and minimum time completion rates and failure grades, for each accredited higher education course it offers, and each year, for the period 2009 to 2013 inclusive. This analysis is to be provided to TEQSA by 31 January 2015 and must include (to the extent that MIT has access to, or has kept record of, the data) particular reference to analysis by:

1. entry path (comparing students admitted under the standard criteria to those admitted under the non-standard admission approach);
2. recognition of credit (comparing students admitted without recognition of prior credit to students admitted with credit for up to a third of the course, up to half of the course and up to two thirds of the course);
3. equivalent full time study mode (comparing students who take less than equivalent full time study load, exactly an equivalent full time study load or greater than an equivalent full time study load, where equivalent full time study load is equal to 120 credit points in a calendar year);
4. place of study;
5. whether students are domestic or international students;
6. referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs); and
7. student achievement (including progression, grade distribution and completion) in similar courses at other higher education providers.

b) develop and provide to TEQSA by 30 April 2015, a detailed strategy, having regard to the comprehensive diagnostic analysis required under (a) above, which:

1. includes specific targets for improvement of student attrition, completion and progression rates and failure grades for each course and each year over the forward accreditation period; and
2. gives consideration to admission practices and standards, study load of students, the identification of students at risk of not progressing academically, and the adequacy and effectiveness of student support.

c) revise the targets determined in accordance with (b) above if and as directed by TEQSA.

d) demonstrate progress, with reference to the targets to be established under (b) and (c), overall and for each course of study, through annually reporting to TEQSA on these rates by 31 January each year (for the rate in the previous calendar year) throughout the period of registration, with these reports to commence on 31 January 2016.

Condition 2:

MIT must:

a) by 31 January 2015, provide to TEQSA a plan which outlines how MIT will compare its performance on student learning outcomes and graduate outcomes with other higher education providers. This plan must include a commitment to comparing the standards actually achieved by MIT students in each course of study with similar courses offered by other higher education providers, identify the particular performance indicators to be compared, the method of calculation and the partners against which MIT will benchmark.

b) revise this plan determined in accordance with (a) above if and as directed by TEQSA.

c) on 30 November 2015, 2016 and 2017, provide to TEQSA evidence that MIT has compared its performance indicators against those of its benchmarking partners, and that this comparison has been considered internally and used to inform improvement of MIT's higher education operations. Such improvements may include, but are not limited to, improvements or changes to: admission criteria, student support, and course design and delivery.

Condition 3:

MIT must provide to TEQSA, by 30 April 2015, a report detailing the scope, recommendations and outcomes of its planned review approach to the detection of plagiarism.

Condition 4:

MIT must provide:

a) by 31 January 2015, evidence that all persons who make decisions regarding admission and recognition of credit have documented delegated authority to make these decisions.

b) by 31 July 2015, evidence that its financial and managerial delegations documented in its Delegations Policy are observed and regularly reviewed.

Condition 5:

MIT must, by 31 July 2015, provide to TEQSA a report detailing the scope, recommendations and outcomes of its planned review of its approach to policy development, implementation and review.

Condition 6:

MIT must:

a) by 31 January 2015, provide to TEQSA a report detailing the outcomes of its planned review of its academic portfolios and templates.

b) before 31 July 2015 and 31 July 2016, provide evidence to TEQSA of implementation of its Scholarship and Research Plan, including evidence of progress of the collaborative research program proposed in that Plan.

c) by 31 July 2015, provide evidence that its staff participate in learning and development and professional development activities and are otherwise active in the scholarship of teaching and learning and discipline specific scholarship to the extent required by MIT under its Continuing Professional Education for Academic Staff policy and consistent with the requirements of Provider Category Standards 1.3 and 1.4 and Provider Course Accreditation Standard 4.2.

Background to Decision

MIT submitted an application for renewal of registration in the category of Higher Education Provider under Section 35 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act). Subsection 36(4) of the TEQSA Act enables TEQSA to renew a provider's registration for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by MIT against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites.

TEQSA considered that the breadth of risks that MIT may not meet the Threshold Standards, and the potential for those issues to impact upon the experience of students, meant that a registration period of four years rather than the maximum seven years was appropriate. This shorter period will allow TEQSA to review MIT's progress in addressing these issues before a further decision is made about MIT's registration.

TEQSA identified a number of broad issues which relate to MIT's registration. These include the robustness of scholarship and teaching and learning, the monitoring of, and action taken to improve student outcomes and trends, the extent to which its performance, and the academic standards achieved by students is benchmarked, student advocacy and support for students at risk, delegation of authority, academic integrity matters and its policy development, implementation and review. These matters relate to Provider Category Standards (PCS) 1.3 and 1.4, Provider Registration Standards (PRS) 3.5, 3.8, 4.3, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 6.6, 6.8 and Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS) 3.4, 4.2, 4.4, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6.

TEQSA considered that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect MIT's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

TEQSA considered that these decisions are consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as MIT is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Monash College Pty Ltd

TEQSA has determined, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of Monash College Pty Ltd as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of seven years to 30 May 2020 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

Background to Decision

Monash College Pty Ltd submitted an application for renewal of registration in the category of 'Higher Education Provider' under Section 35 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act). Subsection 36(4) of the TEQSA Act enables TEQSA to renew a provider's registration for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by Monash College Pty Ltd against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites and sites in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Monash College Pty Ltd has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Monash University

TEQSA has determined, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of Monash University as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of seven years to 2 May 2020 in the provider category of 'Australian University'.

Background to Decision

Monash University submitted an application for renewal of registration in the category of 'Australian University' under Section 35 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act). Subsection 36(4) of the TEQSA Act enables TEQSA to renew a provider's registration for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by Monash University against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites and sites in Malaysia and South Africa.

Monash University has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Melbourne Polytechnic

TEQSA has determined, under subsection 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of Melbourne Polytechnic as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of three years to 27 November 2017 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed four conditions on the registration of Melbourne Polytechnic as a higher education provider.

Condition 1

Within 2 months of receipt of the notice of decision Melbourne Polytechnic must:

a) Provide to TEQSA detailed budgets for the higher education division relating to the remainder of the 2014 and the 2015 and 2016 financial years. The budgets must include, but not be limited to, the following items:

1. Higher education revenue from all sources;
2. expenditure on academic staff split between continuing, fixed term and casual staff;
3. expenditure on library resources directly supporting the higher education operations;
4. expenditure on staff professional development and training applied to the higher education operation; and
5. expenditure or strategies to ensure the application of sufficient financial and human resources to maintain and improve the quality of its higher education operations. Note any capital expenditure should be separately disclosed.

b) Provide to TEQSA financial forecast for the remainder of the 2014 financial year and the 2015 and 2016 financial years for the entire Melbourne Polytechnic operations.

c) Provide TEQSA with evidence of governing body oversight of the development and approval of financial forecasts.

d) Provide TEQSA with its most up to date interim management reports/accounts for the 6 month period to 30 June 2014, including a detailed Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement. The higher education division must be separately disclosed.

e) By 31 January 2015 and every 6 months thereafter, provide TEQSA with its most up to date interim management reports/accounts including a detailed Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement for the elapsed 6 monthly period (the first report must relate to the 6 months to 31 December 2014). This report must include the latest detailed actual performance (e.g. revenue and expenses, operating cash flow) compared to Year-To-Date budget for both Melbourne Polytechnic 's higher education operations and Melbourne Polytechnic more broadly. This requirement is in addition to the annual reporting requirements in Section 27 of the TEQSA Act.

Condition 2

Within three months of the date of notification of this decision or such other period as is specified, Melbourne Polytechnic is required to:

a) develop and implement a specific Human Resources strategy and policy that ensures that academic staff have appropriate qualifications or equivalent professional experience when employed, and that their qualifications and experience remain current and relevant to the courses of study they teach.

b) provide evidence that the Higher Education Academic Board has applied Melbourne Polytechnic policy on staff qualification and experience to all staff involved in delivery of its higher education programs. The evidence must include a schedule identifying all higher education academic staff, what courses they teach, their highest relevant qualification and where that qualification is not at least one AQF qualification level higher than the course of study they teach, how compliance with the Threshold Standards, including Provider Registration Standards 5.1 and 5.2 and Provider Course Accreditation Standards 4.1 and 4.2 has been achieved.

c) provide evidence of the Higher Education Academic Board's consideration of the schedule and its decision as to what action Melbourne Polytechnic will take where no assessment of equivalent professional experience has been made or that assessment shows non-compliance with the Threshold Standards, in each case to ensure compliance with the Threshold Standards.

d) within 28 days of the date of Melbourne Polytechnic being notified of this decision, identify any Head of Program or equivalent who does not have a relevant qualification at least one AQF level above the level of the course taught and for whom no assessment of equivalent professional experience has been made and provide advice to TEQSA as to what action will be taken where Melbourne Polytechnic will take.

e) develop and implement a specific Human Resources strategy to mitigate the risk created by the high ratio of casual and sessional staff to ongoing staff. The strategy is to include the arrangements by which Melbourne Polytechnic ensures that casual/sessional staff are engaged in scholarship and have access to ongoing professional development.

Condition 3

Melbourne Polytechnic must:

a) present accurate student attrition, completion, progression and grade distribution data, and undertake a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression and minimum time completion rates and failure grades, for each accredited higher education course it offers, and each year, for the period 2009 to 2013 inclusive. This analysis is to be provided to TEQSA by 31 March 2015 and must include particular reference to analysis by:

1. entry path (comparing students admitted under the standard criteria to those admitted under the non-standard admission approach);
2. recognition of credit (comparing students admitted without recognition of prior credit to students admitted with credit for up to a third of the course and between a third and two thirds of the course);
3. equivalent full time study mode (comparing students who take less than equivalent full time study load, exactly an equivalent full time study load or greater than an equivalent full time study load, where equivalent full time study load is equal to 120 credit points in a calendar year);
4. place of study;
5. whether students are domestic or international students;
6. referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs); and
7. student achievement in similar courses at other higher education providers.

b) develop and provide to TEQSA by 30 June 2015, a detailed strategy, having regard to the comprehensive diagnostic analysis required under (a) above, which:

1. includes specific targets for improvement of student attrition, completion and progression rates and failure grades for each course and each year over the forward accreditation period; and
2. gives consideration to admission practices and standards, study load of students, the identification of students at risk of not progressing academically, and the adequacy and effectiveness of student support.

c) revise the targets determined in accordance with (b) above if and as directed by TEQSA.

d) demonstrate improvement, with reference to the targets to be established under (b) and (c), overall and for each course of study, through annually reporting to TEQSA on these rates by 31 January each year (for the rate in the previous calendar year) throughout the period of registration, with these reports to commence on 31 January 2016.

Condition 4

Melbourne Polytechnic must:

a) By 30 June 2015, provide evidence to demonstrate to TEQSA that its Higher Education Academic Board (HEAB) has implemented effective quality assurance arrangements for all Melbourne Polytechnic's higher education operations. The evidence should include:

1. Minutes of meetings of the HEAB that demonstrates it has considered all conditions and requests for information imposed by TEQSA on the registration of Melbourne Polytechnic and the accreditation of its courses;
2. Evidence of the action taken by the HEAB to address the issues raised through conditions imposed on the registration of Melbourne Polytechnic or the accreditation of its courses;

b) By 30 June 2016 the HEAB must provide minutes of its meetings for the preceding 12 months to TEQSA which show:

1. that it has effective development, approval, implementation and review of all academic policies; and
2. the nature of its considerations in relation to any of its policies or procedures, including any recommendations and changes to those academic policies and procedures.

Background to Decision

Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE submitted an application for renewal of registration in the category of higher education provider under Section 35 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act). Subsection 36(4) of the TEQSA Act enables TEQSA to renew a provider's registration for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites. TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards.

• The broad issues which relate to the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE registration include:

  a) Academic governance of course approval process

  b) Financial viability and safeguards

  c) Academic staff qualifications and experience

  d) Academic leadership

  e) Use of comparative data

TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

Renewal of registration

Report on rejection of application for renewal of registration by Phoenix Institute of Australia Pty Ltd

TEQSA has rejected the application for renewal of registration by Phoenix Institute of Australia Pty Ltd (Phoenix) under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act.

Main Reasons for Decision

TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by Phoenix Institute of Australia Pty Ltd against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites.

TEQSA considers that the decision to reject the renewal of registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as it is not satisfied that Phoenix Institute of Australia Pty Ltd continues to meet a number of Threshold Standards.

Financial viability

TEQSA considered that Phoenix does not have the capacity to sustain quality in its higher education operations, or to continue to apply sufficient financial resources to ensure the achievement of its higher education objectives. On this basis TEQSA concluded that Phoenix does not continue to meet Provider Registration Standards (PRS) 2.1 and 2.2.

Governance

Phoenix has not demonstrated that it has a corporate governing body that has responsibility for oversight of all of its higher education operations and so does not meet PRS 3.1. Phoenix does not have a majority of external members on its corporate governing board and does not meet PRS 3.2. Phoenix's corporate governance arrangements do not demonstrate a clear distinction between governance and management responsibilities and it does not meet PRS 3.3. Phoenix does not adequately monitor potential risks to its higher education operations and does not meet PRS 3.4. Phoenix does not have approved delegations in place and does not meet PRS 3.5. There are no corporate and academic governance arrangements (including a properly constituted governing board, academic board and standing committees) protecting the academic integrity and quality of Phoenix's higher education operations. Phoenix does not meet PRS 3.7.

Academic Quality Assurance

There is no evidence of effective development, implementation and review of policies and systematic monitoring, review and improvement of Phoenix's higher education operations. Phoenix has not demonstrated that its corporate and academic governance arrangements provide for the maintenance of academic standards with appropriate mechanisms for external input, and has not demonstrated implementation of effective quality control mechanisms. Phoenix does not meet PRS 3.8.

Renewal of registration

Report on the renewal of registration of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University)

TEQSA has renewed the registration of RMIT University as a higher education provider for a period of seven years to 4 August 2023 in the provider category of Australian University. This decision was made under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act.

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by RMIT University against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian and offshore delivery sites.

RMIT University has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards and that it has:

• effective governance arrangements and processes to maintain and quality assure academic standards and academic integrity at all its locations
• a strategic plan that guides decision-making and future directions
• strategies to monitor and mitigate potential risks
• monitoring, review and improvement mechanisms which include measurable targets and incorporate an emphasis on work integrated learning and ensuring equivalent student learning outcomes at all its locations
• a range of strategies and resources to support students at all its locations, and
• comprehensive arrangements for the governance and management of its offshore operations.

Course accreditation and reaccreditation

Report on accreditation of three higher education courses of study and renewal of accreditation of two higher education course of study offered by Educational Enterprises Australia Pty Ltd (Eynesbury)

A delegate of TEQSA has accredited the following courses to be offered by Eynesbury under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), for seven years from the date of decision;

• Diploma of Business Studies
• Diploma of Computing and Information Technology Studies
• Diploma of Engineering Studies

A delegate of TEQSA has renewed accreditation of the following courses offered by Eynesbury under section 56 of the TEQSA Act, for a period of seven years until 10 July 2022:

• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Computing and Information Technology

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has determined that the three higher education courses of study submitted by Eynesbury for accreditation, and the two higher education courses of study submitted by Eynesbury for renewal of accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards and arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Course accreditation and reaccreditation

Report on accreditation of three higher education courses of study and renewal of accreditation of two higher education course of study offered by Educational Enterprises Australia Pty Ltd (Eynesbury)

A delegate of TEQSA has accredited the following courses to be offered by Eynesbury under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), for seven years from the date of decision;

• Diploma of Business Studies
• Diploma of Computing and Information Technology Studies
• Diploma of Engineering Studies

A delegate of TEQSA has renewed accreditation of the following courses offered by Eynesbury under section 56 of the TEQSA Act, for a period of seven years until 10 July 2022:

• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Computing and Information Technology

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has determined that the three higher education courses of study submitted by Eynesbury for accreditation, and the two higher education courses of study submitted by Eynesbury for renewal of accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards and arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, Melbourne

A delegate of TEQSA has renewed the accreditation, under Section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), of the following higher education course of study offered by John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, Melbourne for a period of seven years until 21 June 2023:

• Doctor of Philosophy

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has determined that the higher education course of study submitted by John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, Melbourne for accreditation complies with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards and arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.