Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of 2 higher education courses of study offered by Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE

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 Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE for a period of seven years until 28 February 2021:

• Master of Professional and Practicing Accounting
• Graduate Diploma of Professional and Practicing Accounting

TEQSA has, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed two conditions on the accreditation of the above courses of study. Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE must:

Condition 1:

Prior to commencement of delivery of the above courses of study, and by no later than 11 April 2014, NMIT will provide TEQSA with a policy setting out NMIT's approach to determining the "equivalent" professional experience of academic staff teaching at the Masters level who do not possess Australian Qualification Framework level 10 qualifications.

Condition 2:

Prior to commencement of delivery of the above courses of study, and by no later than 11 April 2014, NMIT will provide TEQSA with a plan for the development of approaches to teaching and learning, scholarship and academic leadership to demonstrate support for professional development for any staff teaching an award which leads to an award at level 8 or 9 of the Australian Qualification Framework.

Background to Decision

Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE submitted an application for accreditation of two courses 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 two higher education courses of study submitted by Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE's application for accreditation of three courses of study is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act. TEQSA considers the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards may affect Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

• The broad issue relating to the Master of Professional and Practicing Accounting and the Graduate Diploma of Professional and Practicing Accounting is to ensure academic staff:

  a) who do not have a qualification one AQF level above the level of the course they are teaching have equivalent experience to teach the courses

  b) who will teach the courses receive appropriate teaching and learning, scholarship and professional development support

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

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of 2 higher education courses of study offered by Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE

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 Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE for a period of seven years until 28 February 2021:

• Master of Professional and Practicing Accounting
• Graduate Diploma of Professional and Practicing Accounting

TEQSA has, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed two conditions on the accreditation of the above courses of study. Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE must:

Condition 1:

Prior to commencement of delivery of the above courses of study, and by no later than 11 April 2014, NMIT will provide TEQSA with a policy setting out NMIT's approach to determining the "equivalent" professional experience of academic staff teaching at the Masters level who do not possess Australian Qualification Framework level 10 qualifications.

Condition 2:

Prior to commencement of delivery of the above courses of study, and by no later than 11 April 2014, NMIT will provide TEQSA with a plan for the development of approaches to teaching and learning, scholarship and academic leadership to demonstrate support for professional development for any staff teaching an award which leads to an award at level 8 or 9 of the Australian Qualification Framework.

Background to Decision

Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE submitted an application for accreditation of two courses 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 two higher education courses of study submitted by Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE's application for accreditation of three courses of study is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act. TEQSA considers the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards may affect Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

• The broad issue relating to the Master of Professional and Practicing Accounting and the Graduate Diploma of Professional and Practicing Accounting is to ensure academic staff:

  a) who do not have a qualification one AQF level above the level of the course they are teaching have equivalent experience to teach the courses

  b) who will teach the courses receive appropriate teaching and learning, scholarship and professional development support

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

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Melbourne Polytechnic

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 courses of study offered by Melbourne Polytechnic until 27 November 2017:

• Bachelor of Accounting
• Associate Degree of Accounting

Main reasons for decision

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

TEQSA has determined that some risks of non-compliance relating to staff, course progression and benchmarking exist and alignment of accreditation period with the provider's registration period is appropriate.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Melbourne Polytechnic

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 courses of study offered by Melbourne Polytechnic until 27 November 2017:

• Bachelor of Accounting
• Associate Degree of Accounting

Main reasons for decision

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

TEQSA has determined that some risks of non-compliance relating to staff, course progression and benchmarking exist and alignment of accreditation period with the provider's registration period is appropriate.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Tabor College (Victoria) Inc.

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 courses of study offered by Tabor College (Victoria) Inc. for a period of seven years until 27 May 2022:

• Master of Practical Theology
• Master of Transformational Development

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has determined that the two higher education courses of study submitted by Tabor College (Victoria) Inc. for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards and arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites, and in relation to the Master of Transformational Development also its Malaysian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Tabor College (Victoria) Inc.

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 courses of study offered by Tabor College (Victoria) Inc. for a period of seven years until 27 May 2022:

• Master of Practical Theology
• Master of Transformational Development

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has determined that the two higher education courses of study submitted by Tabor College (Victoria) Inc. for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards and arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites, and in relation to the Master of Transformational Development also its Malaysian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by William Angliss Institute of TAFE

A delegate of TEQSA has accredited, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the following higher education courses of study offered by William Angliss Institute of TAFE for a period of seven years until 10 November 2023:

• Bachelor of Culinary Management
• Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has determined that the two higher education courses of study submitted by William Angliss Institute of TAFE 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 two higher education courses of study offered by William Angliss Institute of TAFE

A delegate of TEQSA has accredited, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the following higher education courses of study offered by William Angliss Institute of TAFE for a period of seven years until 10 November 2023:

• Bachelor of Culinary Management
• Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has determined that the two higher education courses of study submitted by William Angliss Institute of TAFE 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 two higher education courses of study offered by Polytechnic West

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 courses of study offered by Polytechnic West for a period of seven years until 15 August 2020:

• Associate Degree in Aviation (Aeronautics)
• Associate Degree in Aviation (Operations Management)

TEQSA has, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed five conditions on the accreditation of the above courses of study. Polytechnic West must:

Condition 1:

For each of the two areas of study, the recruitment of senior academic leaders with experience in higher education, scholarship and professional practice;

Condition 2:

Confirmation in writing of a decision by the Institute's Executive to commit the funds necessary for the delivery of each the course at the required standards;

Condition 3:

A revision of all existing course materials by the appointed academic leaders, drawing on external expertise as required, addressing the following issues, the outcomes of which are to be reported to TEQSA:

a) That consistency is ensured across all course documentation and course materials;

b) That stated graduate attributes and employment opportunities for each course of study ensure accurate advice is provided to current and prospective students; and

c) That the course assessment tasks present the required level of intellectual engagement and critical reflection of material and issues pertinent to the field of study.

Condition 4:

Confirmation of articulation agreements into any degree course that are cognate to a professional pathway for the two areas of study; and

Condition 5:

No marketing or new enrolments are to be taken into the two courses of study until the above conditions have been fulfilled.

Background to Decision

Polytechnic West submitted an application for renewal of accreditation of two courses 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 considers that the decision to apply conditions to the application from Polytechnic West for accreditation of two courses of study is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act as Polytechnic West 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 significant matters that may affect Polytechnic West's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards consistently with the Threshold Standards.

• There are a number of compliance issues, however, key concerns relate to four issues, which can be addressed with conditions on the accreditation of the courses.

• Broadly the issues relating to the Associate Degree in Aviation (Aeronautics) and the Associate Degree in Aviation (Operations Management) include:

  a) A lack of senior academic leaders for the discipline

  b) Inadequate course resourcing

  c) A lack of input by senior academic leaders on the course documentation

  d) No articulation arrangements with other higher education providers

• Student performance data for these courses (attrition rates and student satisfaction) have been collected and reviewed periodically by Polytechnic West, and are satisfactory, but the risks to students posed by the lack of academic leadership and the lack of firm and specific articulation arrangements need to be addressed.