Course accreditation

Report on revocation of condition of accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by TAFE Queensland

On 8 December 2015 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under Section 53(2) of the TEQSA Act, Condition 2 imposed on the accreditation of the following course offered by TAFE Queensland (refer public report of 21 August 2014):

• Bachelor of Dental Prosthetics

The decision to revoke the condition was made on the basis that the delegate was satisfied that the condition had been met.

Course accreditation

Report on the accreditation of a higher education course of study offered by West Coast Institute

TEQSA has determined, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to grant accreditation of the following higher education course of study offered by West Coast Institute for a period of seven years until 21 August 2020:

• Associate Degree in Education (Early Childhood)

On 21 August 2013, TEQSA imposed five conditions on the accreditation of the West Coast Institute Associate Degree in Education (Early Childhood).

On 19 January and 6 February 2014, TEQSA revoked the conditions, on the basis that West Coast Institute had met each of the requirements.

Refer to the Addendum of this report for information relating to the revocation of the five previously imposed conditions.

Background to Decision

West Coast Institute submitted an application for the accreditation of a course of study under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 49(6) enables TEQSA to grant accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA has determined that the higher education course of study submitted by West Coast Institute for accreditation complies with the Provider Course Accreditation and Qualification Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites in addition to delivery.

Addendum to Public Report on 6 February 2014: Conditions Revoked

In accordance with subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the accreditation of a course, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

On 21 August 2013, TEQSA imposed five conditions on the Associate Degree in Education (Early Childhood). TEQSA's decision to impose conditions was related to a deficiency in the coverage, currency and range of the relevant research and theoretical frameworks in early childhood. Additionally, there was insufficient course coherence in terms of the alignment of course content and assessment with learning outcomes and graduate attributes.

On 19 January 2014 TEQSA revoked Conditions 1, 4 and 5; and on 6 February 2014 TEQSA revoked Conditions 2 and 3. TEQSA's decision to revoke the conditions was on the basis that West Coast Institute had met each of the requirements.

Previously imposed conditions:

Condition 1: West Coast Institute must not market or offer the course to students until the Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) accredits the course; and that by 31 December 2013, West Coast Institute must:

Condition 2: Strengthen the course design to adequately cover the range of relevant and current theoretical frameworks and research in early childhood, and better align course content and assessment with learning outcomes and graduate attributes to improve overall course coherence, with particular attention to improving the units ADEC 2402 Society and its Environment and Technology, ADEC 2401 ICT in Early Childhood and ADEC 1103 Health and Physical Education;

Condition 3: Revise assessment in accordance with the West Coast Institute Higher Education Assessment Policy;

Condition 4: Ensure information to students makes clear that the award is not a teaching qualification; and

Condition 5: Provide evidence of a formal teach out plan.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by TAFE SA

TEQSA has determined, under Section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to renew accreditation of the following higher education course of study offered by TAFE SA for a period of seven years until 21 February 2021:

• Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design

Background to Decision

TAFE SA submitted an application for renewal of accreditation of one course of study under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 56(4) enables TEQSA to renew accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA has determined that the higher education course of study submitted by TAFE SA for accreditation complies with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by The Cairnmillar Institute, trading as The Cairnmillar Institute School of Psychology Counselling and Psychotherapy.

TEQSA has determined, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to grant accreditation of the following higher education course of study offered by The Cairnmillar Institute for a period of seven years until 29 May 2021:

• Master of Professional Psychology Practice

Background to Decision

The Cairnmillar Institute submitted an application for accreditation under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 45(4) of the Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 49(6) enables TEQSA to renew accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA has determined that the higher education course of study, submitted by The Cairnmillar Institute for accreditation, complies with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of a higher education course of study in teach out mode offered by The Cairnmillar Institute

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 in teach out mode offered by The Cairnmillar Institute for a period of one and a half years until 28 February 2018:

• Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology

No new enrolments permitted in the above course.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Australian Institute of Business Pty Ltd

TEQSA has renewed, under subsection 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, the registration as a higher education provider of Australian Institute of Business Pty Ltd (AIB) for a period of three (3) years until 16 March 2020 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed conditions on the registration of AIB as a higher education provider. A copy of the conditions is available at Attachment 1.

TEQSA has renewed, under subsection 56(1) of the TEQSA Act, the accreditation of the following courses of study offered by AIB for a period of three (3) years to 16 March 2020:

• Diploma of Management
• Associate Degree in Management - exit point only
• Bachelor of Business Administration
• Graduate Certificate in Management
• Graduate Diploma in Management - exit point only
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Business Administration (Entrepreneurial Management)
• Master of Business Administration (Finance)
• Master of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
• Master of Business Administration (Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
• Master of Business Administration (Marketing Management)
• Graduate Certificate in Change Management (new course name: Graduate Certificate in Action Research and Action Learning)
• Graduate Certificate in Work-based Learning
• Master of Management
• Master of Management (Work-Applied Learning)
• Graduate Certificate in Management (Research) - exit point only
• Graduate Diploma in Management (Research) - exit point only
• Master of Management (Research)
• Doctor of Business Administration
• Doctor of Philosophy

TEQSA has renewed, under subsection 56(1) of the TEQSA Act, the accreditation of the following courses of study offered by AIB for a period of two years until 16 March 2019. The courses have been renewed in teach out mode and no new enrolments are permitted in the courses.

• Master of Business Administration (Tourism and Hospitality Management)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Entrepreneurial Management)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Financial Management)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Human Resource Management)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Logistics and Supply Chain Management)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Marketing)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (Tourism and Hospitality Management)

Main reasons for the decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by AIB against the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011 (the Threshold Standards). The scope of the assessment included delivery of AIB's courses in Australia and overseas.

TEQSA considers that its decision to apply conditions was consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as AIB was considered to be at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards. TEQSA notes that Conditions 2 and 3 have been complied with and satisfied fully.

The broad issues which relate to the AIB's registration relate to:

a) Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS) 1.1, 5.1 and 6.1 in relation to AIB's course design, course review and assessment arrangements

b) PCAS 5.1, 5.3, 5.4, and 5.5, in relation to assessment, moderation, student performance and benchmarking for AIB's courses.

Attachment 1

Conditions imposed on the registration of Australian Institute of Business Pty Ltd (AIB)

Condition 1

Within four weeks of receipt of the notice of decision, AIB must provide TEQSA with a comprehensive plan for review and development of its courses over the period of AIB's renewed registration. AIB must provide TEQSA with copies of reports arising from any subsequent major internal or external course review, including those proposed in the plan required by this condition, over the period of AIB's renewed registration.

Condition 2

AIB must arrange for an independent and external review of its online teaching and learning framework to be undertaken, culminating in a report developed and signed by the independent external reviewer. AIB must obtain TEQSA's approval of the identity of the reviewer and of the review's terms of reference before making an appointment. The report arising from the review must be provided to TEQSA and AIB simultaneously and not later than 1 July 2017.

Within four weeks of receipt of the report on its online teaching and learning framework AIB must provide to TEQSA:

a) a copy of the minutes of the Academic Board meeting which record the Academic Board's response to the report

b) a proposed implementation plan to address the recommendations in the report.

This condition has been fully satisfied by AIB.

Condition 3

AIB must arrange for an independent and external review of its unit assessment and assessment moderation practices to be undertaken, culminating in a report developed and signed by the independent external reviewer. AIB must obtain TEQSA's approval of the identity of the reviewer and of the review's terms of reference before making an appointment. The report arising from the review must be provided to TEQSA and AIB simultaneously and not later than 1 July 2017.

Within four weeks of receipt of the report on its unit assessment and assessment moderation practices, AIB must provide to TEQSA:

a) a copy of the minutes of the Academic Board meeting which record the Academic Board's response to the report

b) a proposed implementation plan to address the recommendations in the report.

This condition has been fully satisfied by AIB.

Condition 4

By 31 March 2018 and each year thereafter, AIB must provide to TEQSA:

a) A report on the implementation of its "Scholarly Activity and Professional Development" policy and scholarship plans, including a list of all academic staff engaged to teach into the course of study, the nature of their appointment (i.e. casual, fixed term or continuing including fraction where applicable), the units taught by each staff member, the scholarly activity undertaken in the preceding calendar year and any funding support provided by AIB towards that activity.

b) Evidence by way of meeting minutes that the report has been considered by the relevant AIB governing bodies which includes any action in response.

Condition 5

By 31 March of each year, AIB must provide to TEQSA:

a) a report on its student performance that:

i. details attrition, progression and completion rates and grade distributions at an aggregate level and by mode and course of study. Calculations must be based on the methodology set out within the TEQSA Risk Assessment Framework(Version 2.1).

ii. identifies actions undertaken by Academic Board in response to student performance and an analysis of the effectiveness of those actions.

b) evidence by way of meeting minutes that the report has been considered by the relevant AIB governing bodies which includes any action in response to the report.

The first report is due to TEQSA on 31 March 2018.

Condition 6

By 31 January in each year AIB must provide to TEQSA complete and un-redacted copies of its Governing Board and Academic Board minutes for all meetings conducted in the preceding calendar year.

Condition 7

AIB must provide TEQSA with a report every six months, with the first report due by 31 January 2018, which describes AIB's progress in implementing the actions arising from the:

a) independent external review of its online teaching and learning framework required by Condition 2

b) independent external review report on unit assessment and assessment moderation required by Condition 3, and

c) changes it has committed to in its response to TEQSA's draft summaries of findings relating to AIB's registration and course accreditations.

Revocation of registration condition

Report on revocation of condition imposed on registration of the Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd

On 22 February 2018 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 32 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011, Condition 3 imposed on the registration of the Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd (refer Public Report of 19 January 2017).

Main reasons for the decision

The decision to revoke the condition was made on the basis that the delegate was satisfied that the condition had been met.

Revocation of registration condition

Report on revocation of condition imposed on registration of Macleay College Pty Ltd

On 22 February 2018 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 32 of the of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011, Condition 2 imposed on the registration of Macleay College Pty Ltd (refer public report of 16 March 2017).

Main reasons for the decision

The decision to revoke the condition was made on the basis that the delegate was satisfied that the condition was no longer required.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by North Metropolitan TAFE

On 20 February 2018 a delegate of TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses offered by North Metropolitan TAFE, for a period of seven years until 20 February 2025:

  - Associate Degree of Design

  - Associate Degree of Visual Art

• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the accreditation of the Associate Degree of Design and Associate Degree of Visual art.

Condition 1: Articulation and credit arrangements

North Metropolitan TAFE to provide by 30 July 2018:

1. copies of agreements for credit transfer arrangements and articulation pathways to further learning with its university partners for North Metropolitan TAFE's Associate Degree courses.
2. information for students of North Metropolitan TAFE's credit transfer arrangements which specify the eligibility for acceptance into another course of study and the amount of credit available towards a Bachelor Degree with specific university partners

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that North Metropolitan TAFE may not continue to meet the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 7.1 of Part A, in relation to representations about the outcomes associated with undertaking a course of study and eligibility for acceptance into another course of study
2. Section 7.2 of Part A, in relation to information for students to enable informed decision making and of information available prior to acceptance of an offer of the standing credit transfer arrangements

TEQSA's assessment considered North Metropolitan TAFE's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.