Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of UOWC

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of UOWC for a period of seven years to 27 April 2023 in the provider category of Higher Education Provider.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed two Conditions on the registration of UOWC as a higher education provider.

Under Subsection 32(11) of the TEQSA Act, the following conditions on the registration of UOWC Ltd will be imposed:

Condition 1:

Within three months of notification of TEQSA's decision, UOWC Ltd must provide TEQSA with a procedure for monitoring the performance of students by cohort, which must include the following:

• mechanisms to collect and report on student attrition, student progress, course completions and grade distributions data, and to analyse that data by reference to:
  
  • entry path (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway);
  • 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);
  • 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,);
  • location of study;
  • whether students are domestic or international students;
  • referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs); and
• benchmarking of student achievement with similar courses at other higher education providers.
• evidence of an annual cycle of review by UOWD Ltd's Board and Academic Board, including any actions taken.

Condition 2:

By 27 April in each year, UOWC Ltd must provide TEQSA with a report setting out UOWC Ltd's analysis of the probable causes for rates and trends of student attrition, progression and completion rates for each accredited higher education course it offers by reference to the matters in condition 1, including a strategy with specific targets for the improvement of those rates and trends.

Main Reasons for Decision

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

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

The broad issues which relate to the UOWC registration include:

• complex governance arrangements and processes to maintain and quality assure academic standards and academic integrity, and a Strategic Plan that guides decision-making and future directions
• limited strategies to monitor and mitigate potential risks, such as no direct strategies to address high attrition rates and low progress rates
• inadequate systematic monitoring, review and improvement mechanisms which include measurable targets monitored through internal and external benchmarking of performance outcomes
• effective grievance processes and a range of strategies and resources to support students at all its locations
• effective operational strategies to ensure appropriately qualified personnel manage and provide academic leadership, and
• strategies in place to ensure correct reporting procedures for assessing data.

TEQSA's 2016 Risk Assessment noted that risk to students with regards to attrition rates and progress rates has remained moderate to high between 2014-2016.

Renewal of registration and accreditation

Report on renewal of registration and accreditation of JMC Pty Limited

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), of JMC Pty Limited (JMC) until 31 December 2019 in the provider category of Higher Education Provider.

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

Condition 1:

JMC to report annually on 31 January until further notice on implementation of the Action Plan developed in response to TEQSA's summary of findings. The report must provide documentary evidence of action taken and consideration by the governing body and Academic Board, including:

• Risk Framework including both academic and non-academic risk areas (the framework itself to be submitted by 31 January 2017)
• New Strategic Plan (the plan itself to be submitted by 31 January 2017)
• New Learning and Teaching Plan (the plan itself to be submitted by 31 January 2017)
• Self-Review of the Academic Board
• Academic Policies and Procedures
• Improved processes for monitoring, review and improvement, including across campuses
  
  • student performance data such as attrition, progression and completion rates, by entry pathway, mode of study and place of study
• Professional development and scholarship activities of all staff (the policies and procedures to be submitted by 31 January 2017)
• JMC Benchmarking Framework
• Workforce profile, including reports for each campus on the number of staff employed, position, qualification level relative to the course taught.

Condition 2:

JMC to submit its policy register which contains the status, origin date, last review date, next review date, and date of approval of all policies and procedures (academic and non-academic) by 31 January 2017, and evidence of ongoing implementation each year on 31 January until further notice.

TEQSA has also renewed the accreditation, under section 56 of the TEQSA Act, of the following higher education courses of study offered by JMC until 31 December 2019:

• Bachelor of Creative Technology (Audio Engineering and Sound Production)
• Associate Degree of Audio Engineering and Sound Production
• Diploma of Audio Engineering and Sound Production.

TEQSA has, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed three conditions on the accreditation of the above courses of study.

Condition 1:

By 31 January 2017, JMC must complete its planned review of the courses including a thorough review against AQF level 5, 6 and 7 requirements, by a committee including at least two independent experts in the field of education, with the particular academics to be approved by TEQSA. The review must include consideration of the TEQSA external expert report, TEQSA draft summary of findings, and include the revised unit outlines and a summary of the changes made to the versions of units submitted to TEQSA in April 2015.

Condition 2:

JMC to submit approved policies/procedures relating to the admission criteria for the courses, covering standard admission requirements, special admission (mature age and other), and English language requirements as per Provider Course Accreditation Standards Section 3 by 31 January 2017.

Condition 3:

JMC to report on admission decisions by education qualification, other criteria, or non-academic criteria for all courses over the last 2 years by 31 January 2017.

Main Reasons for Decision

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

TEQSA found that JMC meets the Threshold Standards overall, and that many elements of the required governance and policy frameworks are in place. JMC has reinforced its capability to further review and develop these frameworks and to ensure they are implemented consistently.

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

• The broad issues which relate to JMC's registration include risks relating to:

  a) the corporate governing body effectively monitoring, developing and implementing mitigating strategies to address identified critical risks

  b) the corporate governing body approving a current strategic plan that guides management decision making and through which actual performance and outcomes are measured against key performance indicators

  c) corporate and academic governance arrangements effectively quality assuring its higher education operations through systematic monitoring, review and improvement, and maintaining academic standards

  d) human resources being managed to ensure effective professional development of its personnel and that academic staff are active in scholarship that informs their teaching

  e) use of benchmarking and feedback to improve its higher education operations

  f) maintaining appropriately qualified personnel to manage and provide academic leadership for its higher education operations

  g) effective development, implementation and review of all policies and procedures.

• The broad issues which relate to JMC's course accreditations include risks relating to:

  a) ensuring compliance of unit and course learning outcomes to the Qualification Standards

  b) providing appropriate engagement by students in intellectual inquiry consistent with the nature and level of all units being taught and the expected learning outcomes

  c) admissions criteria ensuring that students have adequate prior knowledge and skills to undertake the courses of study successfully.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Kaplan Higher Education Pty Ltd

TEQSA has determined, under subsection 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of Kaplan Higher Education Pty Ltd as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of seven years to 10 October 2020 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

Background to Decision

Kaplan Higher Education 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 Kaplan Higher Education Pty Ltd against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites.

Kaplan Higher Education Pty Ltd has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Macleay College Pty Limited

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of Macleay College Pty Limited for a period of four years to 16 March 2021 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed two conditions on the registration of Macleay College Pty Limited as a higher education provider.

Condition 1:

In a report to TEQSA by 31 March 2017, and each year thereafter, Macleay must provide evidence that its academic staff are active in scholarship that informs their teaching.

Condition 2:

In the event of a breach of the loan agreement between Macleay and National Australian Bank, which gives rise to action by National Australia Bank, within 2 business days Macleay must notify TEQSA of any financial impact on the college.

Main Reasons for Decision

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

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to Macleay College Pty Limited registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as Macleay College Pty Limited is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards.

• The broad issues which relate to the Macleay College Pty Limited registration include:

  a) The risk that Macleay may not meet the Threshold Standards going forward if financial targets are not met and it is not in a position to continue to invest in building up academic staff numbers in proportion to increases in student numbers.

  b) The risk that deficiencies in data reporting, if not corrected, may obscure the extent to which it continues to comply with the Threshold Standards relating to staffing and student outcomes.

  c) While the framework for development of scholarship has been designed well, it is not clear yet the extent to which it can be implemented consistently over a number of years.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Macleay College Pty Limited

TEQSA has determined, under section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of Macleay College Pty Limited (Macleay College) as a higher education provider is renewed for a period of two years until 15 May 2016 in the provider category of higher education provider.

Under subsection 32(2) of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA has imposed the following conditions on the registration of Macleay:

By 15 November 2015, at the time of its application for renewal of registration, Macleay College:

1. Provides TEQSA with a report covering the previous 12-month period which includes:
   
   1. The College's framework for scholarship together with details of professional development and scholarly activities undertaken by all academic staff (to include scholarship on teaching and learning as well as disciplinary scholarship) and evidence of the Academic Board's consideration of these activities.
   2. The benchmarking activities undertaken by the College and their consideration by the Academic Board.
2. Provide evidence, including the minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors and any relevant committees, covering the previous 12-month period that the corporate governing body accesses and uses a full range of expertise required for the effective governance of a higher education provider.

Background to Decision

Macleay College Pty Limited 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 assessed the application submitted by Macleay College Pty Limited against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites.

TEQSA decided to renew the registration of Macleay College for a period of two year to ensure the College addressed TEQSA's concerns about certain issues relating to corporate governance and management, academic leadership, scholarship, professional development, and benchmarking.

The conditions have been imposed to satisfy TEQSA that the issues identified have been resolved by appropriate actions to demonstrate compliance.

The conditions have been imposed on the basis that TEQSA considers that there is a risk that Macleay College may not meet the following Provider Registration Standards (PRS) and Provider Category Standards (PCS):

a) PRS 3.2. TEQSA is concerned that Macleay College's corporate governance arrangements and processes may not access and use the full range of expertise required for effective governance, including higher education expertise and independent financial advice.

b) PRS 5.1 and 5.3 and PCS 1.3 and 1.4. TEQSA considered that the evidence provided did not demonstrate a systematic approach to academic leadership, scholarship and the implementation of professional development for teaching staff.

c) PRS 5.6 in relation to Macleay College's benchmarking arrangements. While it does not yet have an established comprehensive, systematic approach to benchmarking, TEQSA notes that Macleay College is taking steps to compare its performance with other higher education providers.

TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards above, if not addressed, may ultimately affect Macleay College's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards at a level of quality expected under the Threshold Standards.

TEQSA considers that the decisions to renew the registration for two years and to impose conditions on Macleay College's registration are consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Macquarie University

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of Macquarie University for a period of seven years to 17 March 2023 in the provider category of 'Australian University.'

Main reasons for decision

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

Macquarie University has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards. In particular it has:

• well-structured and effective academic and corporate governance arrangements and internal processes to quality assure and maintain academic standards and academic integrity together with a Strategic Plan that guides decision-making and future directions
• strategies to monitor potential risks and to mitigate risks that may eventuate
• systematic monitoring, review and improvement mechanisms which include measurable targets monitored through internal and external benchmarking of performance outcomes
• effective grievance processes and a range of strategies and resources to support students at all its locations.

Renewal of registration

Report on revocation of a condition on renewal of registration of Morling College Ltd

On 13 September 2016 TEQSA made a decision, under Section 32(2) of the TEQSA Act, to revoke condition 1 imposed on the registration of Morling College Ltd (refer to public report of 10 December 2016). The decision to revoke the condition was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the condition has been met.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Chifley Business School (CBS)

Chifley Business School has applied to TEQSA to withdraw its registration as a higher education provider, under Section 43 of the TEQSA Act.

TEQSA has approved this withdrawal effective from 1 July 2015.

Main reasons for decision

The withdrawal of registration has occurred because Chifley has sold its higher education business to Torrens University Australia. Information about Torrens University Australia is available on the relevant page on the National Register. Chifley and Torrens have jointly developed a plan for the transition of students in CBS courses, and TEQSA is satisfied that these plans are appropriate and do not disadvantage students.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Chisholm Institute

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of Chisholm Institute for a period of seven years to 29 October 2022 in the provider category of Higher Education Provider.

On 12 November 2015, TEQSA imposed, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, four conditions on the registration of Chisholm Institute as a higher education provider.

On 27 November 2016, TEQSA made a decision under subsection 53(2) of the TEQSA Act to vary the deadline for Chisholm Institute's response to 30 December 2017 for Conditions 1, 2, 3 and 4 and amended the requirements of Condition 1, to the wording indicated below.

By 30 December 2017, Chisholm Institute is required to provide TEQSA:

Condition 1:

Evidence that the terms of reference for the Chisholm Board are changed to ensure the corporate governing body has the responsibility for the oversight of risk. Evidence of implementation should be provided, including strategies to mitigate risk and the evaluation of these strategies. This should include the monitoring of student attrition, student progress, course completions and grade distributions.

Condition 2:

A report on the implementation of Chisholm's Higher Education Functional Plan and associated strategies.

Condition 3:

Evidence that the report on the effectiveness of Chisholm's Higher Education Functional Plan has been considered by the Higher Education Academic Affairs Committee and reported to the Education Committee as well as that action has been taken to address identified issues.

Condition 4:

A report which complements the report required under Condition 2 and addresses the low levels of student satisfaction with support services seen in 2014. The report must be based on 2015 data and identify the issues underlying the low ratings in 2014, why the ratings have declined significantly between 2013 and 2014, and identify strategies for improving the student experience of these support services.

Main Reasons for Decision

TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by Chisholm Institute against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites. While Chisholm Institute has demonstrated to TEQSA that it meets the Threshold Standards it is at risk of not complying with the Standards in a number of areas. TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to Chisholm's registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act.

• The broad issues which relate to Chisholm Institute's registration include:

  a) limited visibility of the monitoring of potential risks specific to its higher education operations in Board reports and minutes

  b) limited visibility of the identification and monitoring of key higher education performance issues by key governance bodies

  c) concerns regarding growing student attrition and decreasing student satisfaction with support services.