Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of International College of Management, Sydney Pty Ltd

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of International College of Management, Sydney Pty Ltd (ICMS) until 4 September 2019 in the provider category of Higher Education Provider.

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

Condition One

Within three months of being notified of this decision, ICMS is to formulate a revised Academic Board Charter. The revised Charter will prescribe:

a) the circumstances in which the Academic Board Chair may act on behalf of the Academic Board between meetings of the Board;

b) actions to be taken in the event that a quorum is not attained at any Academic Board meeting;

c) the process to be followed in the event that a member of the Academic Board does not, or is not able to attend an Academic Board meeting.

ICMS must provide TEQSA a copy of the revised Charter within 14 days of the ICMS Governing Body approving the Charter.

Condition Two

ICMS is required to:

A. provide TEQSA, within three months of the date of notification of this decision, with a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression and minimum time completion rates and failure rates, for each accredited higher education course it offers and each year, for the period 2011 to 2014 inclusive. The analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression and grade distribution and include analysis by:

1. entry path (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway);
2. credit awarded (comparing students admitted with no credit awarded with students admitted with credit for up to a third of the course and between a third and two thirds of the course);
3. study mode (comparing students who take less than a full-time study load, exactly a full-time study load and greater than a full-time study load, where full-time study load is equal to 36 ICMS 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 1 May 2016, 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 rates for each course and each year over the forward registration 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 1 July each year (for the rates in the previous calendar year) throughout the period of registration, with these reports to commence on 1 July 2016.

Condition Three

Within three months of notification of this decision ICMS must provide TEQSA with:

A. details of how the policies which ensure staff are appropriately qualified and experienced to teach the course of study have been applied to each member of staff teaching the courses, including:

1. ICMS's assessment of whether each staff member without a qualification at least one AQF level above the course taught has professional experience which gives the staff member the knowledge, skills and capacity to apply knowledge and skills equivalent to a qualification at least one AQF level above the course taught, and
2. the support ICMS will provide to each staff member without a qualification at least one AQF level above the course taught to undertake further study or professional development and scholarship in the discipline they teach.

B. a workforce plan for the next three years. The plan will detail ICMS approach and rationale for the employment of casual staff and will also detail how ICMS ensures that it continues to maintain appropriate human resources to support student learning outcomes. The plan will identify how ICMS will mitigate the risk of casual or sessional staff not being appropriately supported and resourced to provide a continuity of support for students, anchor academic activities, engage in scholarly activities and be active contributing members in a community of scholarship.

Condition Four

ICMS is to review its policy on external moderation and the extent to which it has complied with this policy. Within three months of notification of this decision ICMS must provide TEQSA with a copy of the review which is to include findings of the review and an implementation plan, which includes key dates and outcomes of any required changes to the current policy.

Condition Five

ICMS must provide TEQSA by 30 June 2016, evidence that demonstrates ICMS benchmarks the academic standards intended to be achieved by students and the standards actually achieved by students in each of the courses of study offered by ICMS against similar accredited courses of study offered by other higher education providers. This evidence is to include details of the courses and institutions selected for comparison and examples of action taken as a result of analysis of the data.

Main Reasons for Decision

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

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to ICMS's registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as ICMS is at risk of not complying with several the Threshold Standards.

• The broad issues which relate to the ICMS registration include:

  a) Academic quality assurance and governance

  b) ICMS's assessment of and action taken to mitigate student attrition

  c) Workforce management and staff qualifications

  d) assessment policies

  e) benchmarking of courses

Renewal of registration and renewals of accreditation

Report on the application for renewal of registration of Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts

TEQSA has agreed to orders made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) under which the registration of Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA), trading as Academy of Music and Performing Arts as a higher education provider will be renewed until 31 December 2020 under subsection 36(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act) in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

These orders also involve the imposition of conditions on the registration of AMPA under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act. A copy of the conditions is available at Attachment 1.

TEQSA has also agreed to orders made by the AAT under which the accreditation of the following courses of study offered by AMPA is renewed until 31 December 2020 under subsection 56(1) of the TEQSA Act:

• Bachelor of Music (Performance)
• Associate Degree of Music (Performance)

Background to Decision

AMPA applied to TEQSA for registration in the category of Higher Education Provider under Part 3 of the TEQSA Act.

TEQSA considered AMPA's application and sent AMPA a draft summary of findings with details of the assessment of AMPA's application by the responsible case management team. TEQSA's Commission considered AMPA's response to the draft summary of findings and made a decision on 13 May 2016 not to grant AMPA's application for registration and for the renewal of accreditation of two courses of study, on the basis that the TEQSA Commission was not satisfied that AMPA met the Threshold Standards.

TEQSA's reasons for not granting AMPA's application included, but were not confined to, TEQSA's lack of satisfaction that AMPA continued to meet:

• Provider Registration Standards (PRS) 1.5 and 1.6 in relation to provider standing
• PRS 3.2, 3.4, 3.6 and 3.8, in relation to corporate and academic governance
• PRS 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3, Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS) 4.1 and 4.2 and Provider Category Standards (PCS) 1.4, in relation to staffing
• PRS 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5, in relation to grievance procedures and the provision of information and support to students
• PCAS 1.1, 1.3, 1.7 and 6.1, in relation to design and review of the courses
• PCAS 3.1 and 3.2, in relation to admission processes for the courses
• PCAS 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6, in relation to assessment in the courses and student performance.

AMPA applied for review of TEQSA's decision in the AAT. In the course of the proceedings, AMPA made submissions and provided further information and evidence about the matters raised in TEQSA's decisions.

TEQSA engaged external experts to review the further material.

It is well established that absent a specific legislative provision to the contrary, the AAT is generally required to make a decision on review based on the evidence available at the time of the AAT's decision on review, and that the AAT is not confined to the evidence available at the time of the primary decision. Accordingly, TEQSA accepted that the AAT was required to take account of the further material submitted to TEQSA after TEQSA had not granted AMPA's application.

Main Reasons for Decision

After reviewing the further material submitted by AMPA and participating in mediation with AMPA, TEQSA was satisfied that AMPA meets the Threshold Standards. However TEQSA considered that there remained risks related to AMPA's capacity to meet the Threshold Standards in the future. On this basis, TEQSA agreed that it was appropriate to substitute TEQSA's initial decision to not grant the application with decisions to register AMPA until 31 December 2020 and to impose a number of conditions on that registration.

The conditions are designed to address risks against the same Provider Registration Standards, Provider Category Standards, and Provider Course Accreditation Standards listed above in relation to TEQSA's reasons for initially deciding not to grant AMPA's application for renewal of registration. In particular, the conditions are designed to address the risk that changes to AMPA's structure and operations agreed by AMPA and TEQSA might not be fully implemented.

TEQSA is satisfied that the conditions will provide a framework for TEQSA to oversee the key risks associated with AMPA's corporate and academic governance arrangements and the quality assurance of its higher education operations.

Attachment 1

Conditions imposed on the registration of AMPA:

Condition 1:

AMPA is required to provide TEQSA with minutes of each meeting of AMPA's Corporate Board and Academic Board, within 21 days after the day on which the relevant meeting occurs, which demonstrate a process consistent with the TEQSA Guidance Notes for the relevant bodies on the matters which were the subject of discussion, and which specify the extent to which the discussion took account of external advice or input; the minutes must be endorsed by the Chair of each body with a certification by the Chair that the governance of AMPA has occurred in a manner consistent with the following:

a) each member of Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts (ACN 085 028 351) will execute an authority that the Corporate Board can operate independently at all times and will undertake not to take any action or make any decision that would compromise or potentially compromise the independence of the Corporate Board

Condition 2:

AMPA is required to provide a report to TEQSA on AMPA's implementation of its revised admissions process within 6 months after the date of the decision

Condition 3:

AMPA is required to provide TEQSA with a report, no later than four weeks prior to the commencement of each teaching period in AMPA's courses, which describes the units to be taught by each staff member (including casual and part-time staff), the relevant qualifications or professional experience of the staff member in relation to those units and the scholarly activities undertaken by the staff member in the preceding six months

Condition 4:

by 26 May 2017, AMPA is required to provide TEQSA with a report on the activities undertaken by those individuals engaged to support AMPA's scholarship in the field of Dance

Condition 5:

AMPA is required to:

a) by 31 March 2017, provide TEQSA with a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression and minimum time completion rates, for each accredited higher education course it offers and each year, for the period 2014 to 2016 inclusive; the analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression and grade distribution rates and include analysis by:

i) entry path (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway)

ii) credit awarded (comparing students admitted with no credit awarded with students admitted with credit for up to a third of the course and between a third and two thirds of the course)

iii) basis for assessment of the student's English language proficiency

iv) country of origin

v) referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs)

vi) student achievement in similar courses at other higher education providers

b) develop and provide to TEQSA by 31 May 2017, a detailed strategy, having regard to the comprehensive diagnostic analysis required under paragraph (1) above, which:

i) includes specific targets for improvement of student attrition, completion and progression rates for each course and each year over the forward registration period

ii) 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

iii) has been considered and approved by the Applicant's Corporate Board and Academic Board

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

d) demonstrate improvement, with reference to the targets to be established under paragraphs (b) and (c), overall and for each accredited higher education course of study, through annually reporting to TEQSA on these rates by 28 February each year (for the rates in the previous year) throughout the period of registration, with these reports to commence on 28 February 2018; the reports must be considered and approved by AMPA's Corporate Board and Academic Board and be accompanied by evidence of this approval

Condition 6:

AMPA is required to provide TEQSA with reports on the moderation and benchmarking activities, including benchmarking of student performance data, undertaken by the Applicant in the preceding 12 month period; AMPA must provide its first report by 31 May 2017 and a report by 28 February in each subsequent year.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd

A delegate of TEQSA has accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the following higher education course of study offered by the Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd for a period of seven years until 22 June 2022:

• Diploma of Entertainment Journalism

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has determined that the one higher education course of study submitted by the Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd for accreditation complies 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 courses of study offered by International Institute of Business and Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd

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 International Institute of Business and Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd (IIBT) for a period of three years until 19 March 2018:

• Diploma of Business Administration

TEQSA has, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed three conditions on the accreditation of the above course of study requiring that:

Condition 1:

By 30 June 2015, 24 December 2015, 30 June 2016 and 24 December 2016, IIBT must provide TEQSA with moderation and student performance data reports for 2014 and 2015 (in a format approved by TEQSA which identifies entry level, standard mode and fast-track mode students) and minutes of Academic Board meetings demonstrating consideration of the reports.

Condition 2:

By 30 June 2015 and 30 June 2016, IIBT must provide TEQSA with annual Course Evaluation Reports for 2014 and 2015 (in a format approved by TEQSA) and minutes of Academic Board meetings demonstrating consideration of the report.

Condition 3:

By 16 April 2015, IIBT must provide TEQSA with evidence that IIBT has purchased a subscription to full text EBSCO databases, for student access through the IIBT Student Portal on-campus and off-campus, appropriate for a higher education pathways Diploma course of study.

The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to the IIBT application for accreditation of one course of study is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as IIBT is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards. TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect IIBT's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

The broad issues which relate to the Diploma of Business Administration include:

• Provider Course Accreditation Standard (PCAS) 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 and 6.1, in relation to monitoring and review of student performance in IIBT's courses;

• PCAS 2.2, in relation to library and information resources for IIBT's students.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on variation of conditions of accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by International Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd

On 20 July 2016, TEQSA varied, under Section 53(2) of the TEQSA Act, Condition 1 and Condition 2 imposed on the Diploma of Business Administration.

The decision to vary Condition 1 and Condition 2 extended the due date from 30 June 2016 to 31 August 2016 for International Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd to meet the conditions.

There are two conditions remaining on the accreditation of the Diploma of Business Administration (refer Public Report Renewal of Accreditation 19 March 2015).

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by MHM Higher Education Pty Ltd

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 courses of study offered by MHM Higher Education Pty Ltd for a period of seven years until 13 June 2020:

• Bachelor of Applied Health Science (Clinical Aesthetics)

Background to Decision

MHM Higher Education Pty Ltd submitted an application for 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 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 MHM Higher Education Pty Ltd 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 TAFE Queensland

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 TAFE Queensland for a period of seven years until 26 June 2021:

• Bachelor of Creative Arts and Entertainment

Background to Decision

TAFE Queensland submitted an application for 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 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 TAFE Queensland for accreditation complies with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on variation of conditions of accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by TAFE Queensland

On 2 April 2015 TEQSA varied, under Section 53(2) of the TEQSA Act, the conditions imposed on the accreditation of the following course offered by TAFE Queensland (refer public report of 21 August 2014):

• Associate Degree in Civil Engineering

The decision to vary Condition 1 and Condition 2 extended the due date from 5 March 2015 to 30 April 2015 and 30 June 2015 respectively for TAFE Queensland to meet the conditions.

Course accreditation

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

On 2 April 2015 TEQSA revoked, under Section 53(2) of the TEQSA Act, Condition 1 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 TEQSA was satisfied that the conditions had been met.

There is one condition remaining on the accreditation of the above course.