Course accreditation

Report on revocation of condition of accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd

On 24 November 2017 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, the condition imposed on the accreditation of the following courses offered by Victorian Institute of Technology (refer public report of 5 September 2017):

• Master of Business Administration
• Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
• Graduate Certificate of Business Administration

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

Course accreditation

Report on revocation of condition of accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd

On 24 November 2017 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, the condition imposed on the accreditation of the following courses offered by Victorian Institute of Technology (refer public report of 5 September 2017):

• Master of Business Administration
• Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
• Graduate Certificate of Business Administration

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

Self-accrediting authority

Report on authority of Top Education Group Pty Ltd to self-accredit courses of study

On 9 May 2018 TEQSA authorised, under section 41 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Top Education Group Pty Ltd to self-accredit courses of study in the Broad Field of Education 08 Management and Commerce at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels 5 - 9.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the application for self-accrediting authority of courses of study in the management and commerce field of education submitted by Top Education Group Pty Ltd meets the Criteria for Authorising 'Self-Accrediting Authority, of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of University of Southern Queensland (USQ)

On 26 April 2018, TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of the University of Southern Queensland in the category of Australian University, for a period of seven years until 26 April 2025.
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of the University of Southern Queensland.

Condition 1: Governance and accountability reporting obligations

By 30 September in 2019, 2020 and 2021 USQ must provide TEQSA with a copy of the approved minutes of each meeting of its Council and Academic Board for the previous 12 months. These minutes must:

1. For the minutes of the Council, demonstrate that the governing Council has monitored and reviewed:
1. the effectiveness of its delegations, including regular reporting on the roles and effectiveness of delegations for academic governance (including the monitoring of teaching and research performance data) and consideration of the annual self-review of the Academic Board;
2. the effectiveness of risk management, including the consideration and approval of a risk register which specifically addresses risks associated with the delivery of educational services through external parties.
2. For the minutes of the Academic Board, demonstrate that:
1. the Academic Board regularly receives a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of rates and trends for student attrition, progression, and minimum time completion rates, for each higher education course USQ offers each semester. The analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression, grade distribution and include analysis by:
1. entry path (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway, including by external partner);
2. study mode (online, on campus, supported external delivery)
3. education agent;
4. country of origin;
5. referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs); and
6. student achievement in similar courses at other Australian universities.
2. the Academic Board develops comprehensive action plans to address any issues identified through the comprehensive diagnostic analysis in accordance with 1(b)(i), and undertakes periodic monitoring of the effectiveness of any interventions.
3. the Academic Board reviews its own performance and the effectiveness of its role in academic governance, including:
1. course accreditation, academic quality, and assurance of learning;
2. an annual self-review; and
3. consideration of these matters in light of teaching and research performance data.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made the decision to renew the provider's registration on the basis that it was satisfied that the University of Southern Queensland continues to meet the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011.

TEQSA made the decision to impose one condition in light of risks that the University of Southern Queensland may not continue to meet the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011:

1. Provider Registration Standard 3.8 in relation to corporate and academic governance, especially with regard to delivery with other parties.
2. Provider Registration Standard 4.5 in relation to effective systems for overseeing the education quality and academic outcomes of students enrolled through arrangements with other parties.
3. Provider Registration Standard 5.6 in relation to sufficiently detailed cohort analysis to enable appropriate comparison and benchmarking of performance on teaching and learning outcomes.

TEQSA considers that following the re-shaping of the governance structure in January 2018, the University of Southern Queensland is making good progress in developing a detailed analysis and reporting structure to enable the University to carry out detailed analysis of student performance and implement timely and appropriate support.

TEQSA's assessment considered the University of Southern Queensland's arrangements for delivery at its Australian and overseas sites.

Withdrawal of registration

Report on application to withdraw registration by Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Pty Limited

A delegate has determined, under subsection 43(2) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to grant the application from Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Pty Limited to withdraw its registration as a Higher Education Provider, with effect from 27 October 2017.

Main Reasons for the Decision

The TEQSA delegate was satisfied that it is appropriate to allow the registration of Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Pty Limited to be withdrawn as the provider demonstrated that all higher education operations had ceased.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Australian Institute of Business and Management

On 4 May 2018, a delegate of TEQSA:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following course offered by Australian Institute of Business and Management, for a period of four years until 4 May 2022:
• Bachelor of Information Technology
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the accreditation of the Bachelor of Information Technology.

Condition: Academic Leadership

Australian Institute of Business and Management Pty Ltd must not enrol students in or commence delivery of the Bachelor of Information Technology until TEQSA notifies the provider that TEQSA is satisfied that the provider has appointed a suitably qualified Head of Program.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision in light of risks that the course submitted by the Australian Institute of Business and Management may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 3.2.3a in relation to staff with academic oversight being equipped with the knowledge in the discipline or field, which is informed by continuing scholarship or research or advances in practice.

This is the first course to be delivered in the Information Technology field of education by the Australian Institute of Business and Management. TEQSA's assessment considered the Australian Institute of Business and Management's arrangements for delivery at its Australian site.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd

TEQSA has agreed to orders made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under which:

• the registration of Kent Institute Pty Ltd is renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of four years until 31 March 2022.
• the accreditation of Kent Institute Pty Ltd's Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Accounting courses is renewed, under section 56 of the TEQSA Act for a period of four years until 31 March 2022.

TEQSA has also agreed that six conditions be imposed on the registration of Kent Institute Pty Ltd under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act.

A copy of the conditions is at Attachment 1.

Main reasons for the decision

The conditions have been imposed in light of risks identified in relation to the following aspects of Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd's higher education operations:

1. corporate and academic governance;
2. academic quality assurance in relation to course design, benchmarking, course assessment and moderation, and the use of comparative student performance data; and
3. the adequacy of Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd's staffing arrangements, including its approach to staff scholarship and professional development.

TEQSA's assessment considered Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Attachment 1

Condition 1

Within 6 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, the Applicant must provide evidence to the Respondent of the appointment of a suitably qualified person to the position of Executive Dean, based in Melbourne. The appointment must be made in accordance with the Applicant's position description dated 19 February 2018 and must be made with the agreement of the Respondent as to the identity of the appointee (which agreement is not to be unreasonably withheld).

Condition 2

The Applicant must:

1. within 2 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, provide the Respondent with a plan for the enhancement of scholarly activity of the staff of the applicant. The plan must:
1. be approved by the Applicant's Academic Board;
2. include only activities or memberships which have scholarly or professional relevance to the individual's role with the Applicant;
3. include a framework for collating, and reporting on, information about the scholarly activities of its staff. The framework must include a description of the steps taken by the Applicant to ensure that this information is consistently and appropriately categorised, having regard to the relevant guidance published by the Respondent in relation to scholarship.
4. specify the resources to be made available to support staff scholarly activity and the basis on which the application of these resources is reported;
5. specify the basis on which the policy will be reviewed by the Applicant.
2. no later than 4 weeks prior to the commencement of each of trimester 1 and 2(i.e. excluding trimester 3) in the Applicant's courses, provide the Respondent with a report on its academic staff and the scholarly activities of those staff, which must include:
1. the steps taken to implement the plan at (a), including the scholarly activities undertaken in the previous 6 months by each staff member with academic leadership or teaching responsibilities, and (where relevant)the amount spent by the applicant to support each of those activities; and
2. the academic leadership and teaching responsibilities of each staff member of the applicant, whether the staff member is engaged on a full-time, part-time or casual basis, the units to be taught by each staff member in the subsequent teaching period, the location at which those units will be taught, and the relevant qualifications or professional experience of the staff member in relation to those units;

Condition 3

The Applicant must, every 2 years for the period in which the applicant is registered with the Respondent:

1. engage a suitably qualified independent expert (with the agreement of the Respondent to the identity and terms of reference of the expert, which agreement is not to be unreasonably withheld) to prepare a report which contains an independent external review of the Applicant's Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Accounting courses. The independent expert must:
1. be suitably qualified to undertake the independent review;
2. not be a past or present member of the Applicant's staff;
3. not have been engaged as a consultant to the Applicant (and for the avoidance of doubt, this exclusion of 'consultants' is not to exclude any expert witnesses relied upon by the Applicant); and
4. not have any conflict of interest.
2. submit the independent expert's report to the Applicant's Academic Board, Board of Directors and the Respondent no later than one month after the independent expert provides their report (which must not be later than three months after the independent expert was engaged).
3. provide the Respondent with a copy of the independent expert's report, together with a plan for the implementation of the recommendations in the report which has been approved by the Applicant's Board of Directors and its Academic Board, within six weeks after the independent expert provides their report to the Applicant.

Condition 4

The Applicant must provide the Respondent with reports on its moderation and benchmarking activities, including benchmarking of student performance data undertaken by the Applicant, in the preceding 12 month period. The Applicant must provide its first report by 15 May 2018 and a report by 15 May in each subsequent year.

Condition 5

The Applicant must complete its appointment of 3 new external members (consisting of 2 replacement members and 1 additional member) to its Academic Board within 6 months of the date of the decision by the Tribunal and report on those appointments within 1 month of the appointments being finalised.

Condition 6

The Applicant must:

1. within 3 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, provide the Respondent with a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression, grade distribution and minimum time completion rates, for each accredited higher education course it offers and each year, for the period from 2012 to 2016 inclusive. The analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression and grade distribution rates 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. basis for assessment of the student's English language proficiencies) country of origin;
4. referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs); and
5. student achievement in similar courses at other higher education providers.
2. develop and provide to the Respondent within 6 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, a detailed strategy, having regard to the comprehensive diagnostic analysis required under paragraph (a) above, which:
1. includes specific targets for improvement of student attrition, completion and progression rates for each course and each year over the forward registration period;
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;
3. has been considered and approved by the Applicant's Corporate Board and Academic Board.
3. revise the targets determined in accordance with paragraph (b) above if and as directed by the Respondent.
4. 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 the Respondent on these rates by 15 March each year (for the rates in the previous year)throughout the period of registration, with these reports to commence on 15 March 2019. The reports must be considered and approved by the Applicant's Corporate Board and Academic Board and be accompanied by evidence of this approval.

Registration

Report on compliance assessment of Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd

On 8 June 2017 TEQSA:

• Commenced, under section 59 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), a compliance assessment of Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd (PIA).

On 9 May 2018, TEQSA:

• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, six conditions on the registration of Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd.

Condition 1:

By 31 March 2019, PIA must provide TEQSA with evidence demonstrating consideration and approval of the following documents by the Board of Directors:

1. revised strategic plan, and reports monitoring progress against targets, including actions taken to correct any underperformance.
2. risk management framework, including reports monitoring risks to PIA's higher education operations.

Condition 2:

By 31 August 2018 PIA must provide TEQSA with:

1. a report from the Academic Board to the Board of Directors which addresses reasons for high failure rates and includes recommendations to improve student outcomes.
2. Board of Directors meeting minutes demonstrating consideration of the report at (a) and action taken in response to recommendations in the report.

Condition 3:

By 31 March each year from 2019 until further notice, PIA must provide TEQSA with a copy of:

1. a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression, minimum time completion rates and absent failure rates, for each accredited higher education course it offers. The analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression, grade distribution and absent failure rates 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. education agent;
4. basis for assessment of the student's English language proficiency;
5. country of origin;
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.
2. evidence of the Academic Board's report to the Board of Directors on student outcomes and the quality of teaching and learning, which addresses issues identified in the diagnostic analysis at (a), and includes recommendations for improvement.
3. Board of Directors meeting minutes demonstrating consideration of the report at (b) and action taken in response to recommendations in the report.

Condition 4:

1. By 31 January 2019, PIA must provide TEQSA with a scholarship development plan, approved by the Board of Directors, which includes targets for scholarly output for categories of scholarship recognised in TEQSA's Guidance Note on scholarship, to ensure academic staff are active in scholarship that informs their teaching.
2. By 31 January each year from 2020 until further notice PIA must provide TEQSA with an annual scholarship report to the Board of Directors which reports against the scholarship development plan and evidence of the Board of Directors' consideration of, and response to, the report.

Condition 5:

Not later than four weeks prior to the commencement of each teaching period, PIA must provide TEQSA with:

1. the schedule of units of study to be delivered in the relevant teaching period.
2. the name of each staff member proposed to teach and assess each unit of study.
3. each staff member's qualifications in the discipline of the unit being taught.

Condition 6:

The following restrictions apply to PIA's delivery of its accredited courses:

1. PIA may deliver its accredited courses of study only from its Sydney campus.
2. PIA may not exceed total student numbers of 300.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made the decision to impose conditions on PIA's registration in light of risks that PIA may not continue to meet the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 6.2 of Part A, in relation to further development and implementation by PIA of its corporate governance monitoring and accountability framework, specifically its risk management and strategy for determining its future directions in higher education with realistic performance targets.
2. Section 6.3 of Part A, in relation to further development and implementation by PIA of academic governance and quality assurance mechanisms relating to monitoring and reporting of student performance.
3. Section 3.2 of Part A and Criterion B1.1.4 of Part B in relation to academic leadership and development and implementation by PIA of a scholarship framework to ensure academic staff are active in scholarship that informs their teaching

TEQSA's assessment considered PIA's arrangements for delivery at the Sydney campus.

Review status of decision

PIA has applied to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of the decision to impose the conditions on PIA's registration.

Revocation of accreditation conditions

Report on revocation of conditions imposed on accreditation of six higher education courses of study offered by Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd

On 17 August 2021 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 53 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act):

• Conditions (a), (c) and (d) imposed on the accreditation of the following courses offered by Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd (refer Public Report of 6 February 2014):
  • Diploma of Accounting
  • Associate Degree of Accounting
  • Bachelor of Accounting
• Conditions 1 and 2 imposed on the accreditation of the following courses offered by Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd (refer Public Report of 10 November 2014):
• Diploma of Business
• Associate Degree of Business
• Bachelor of Business

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the conditions are no longer necessary.