• Guidance Note: Research and Research Training published

    TEQSA has published its revised Guidance Note: Research and Research Training after consultation with the sector.

    A further summary of external consultation outlines how TEQSA actioned the sector feedback it received.

    In May 2022, TEQSA commenced a project to enhance our suite of guidance notes for registered higher education providers.

    This work will reinforce the role of guidance notes to provide guidance that focuses on a specific section of the Higher Education Standards Framework (2021) while drawing attention to connections with other sections and highlighting potential compliance issues.

    TEQSA will keep providers updated on our progress in updating the guidance note suite through the monthly TEQSA e-News and our social media channels (subscribe to eNews).

    Please view our consultation page to learn more about present opportunities to provide feedback.

    Date
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  • Public reporting

    Purpose of public reports

    Our public reporting aligns with the objectives of the TEQSA Act, which call for us to:

    • protect and enhance Australia’s reputation for quality higher education and training services
    • protect and enhance Australia’s international competitiveness in the higher education sector
    • protect and enhance Australia’s excellence, diversity and innovation in higher education in Australia
    • protect students undertaking, or proposing to undertake, higher education in Australia by requiring the provision of quality higher education
    • ensure students undertaking, or proposing to undertake, higher education, have access to information relating to higher education in Australia.

    In accordance with these objectives, we make our regulatory decisions and actions publicly available.  Reports provide information about the applicant, the decision and the main reasons for our decision.

    Under the TEQSA Act, we may disclose to the public, higher education information that relates to actions under the Act. The Act also allows us to ‘collect, analyse, interpret and disseminate information’ relating to higher education providers, higher education awards, quality assurance practice and quality improvement in higher education and the Higher Education Standards Framework.

    Approach to public reporting

    TEQSA uses the National Register of Higher Education Providers to share information with the public about registered providers. The National Register includes key information, such as:

    • legal entity name
    • trading name/s used for the provider’s higher education operations
    • Australian Business Number
    • provider category
    • registration renewal date and period of registration
    • head office address
    • website for higher education operations
    • self-accrediting authority status
    • the names of each higher education course of study accredited by TEQSA, as well as the accreditation renewal date of course of study accredited and period of accreditation.

    The information on the National Register identifies whether a decision has resulted in any changes to the information listed, for example, by amending a provider’s course accreditation or registration period, or by listing a new accredited higher education course of study. Conditions imposed are also noted on the National Register and are removed when they have been met by the provider, or if they are revoked.

    More information

    More information relating to our public reporting can be found at:

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  • Academic integrity experts advice hub

    To support the sector to respond to emerging academic integrity issues, we are publishing information here for providers.

    These materials have been prepared by specialist experts within the sector, drawing from their experience on the topics presented. You may also wish to check the assessment integrity resources developed as part of our Online Learning Good Practice hub to support the sector through the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Resources

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  • TEQSA overview

    The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia’s independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education.

    Our purpose is to protect student interests and the reputation of Australia's higher education sector through a proportionate, risk-reflective approach to quality assurance that supports diversity, innovation and excellence.

    We are guided by our TEQSA values of trust, respect, accountability and collaboration as we work across the higher education sector to assure public confidence in higher education.

    More about us:

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  • Toolkit

    Academic integrity toolkit launch webinar

    The academic integrity project team held a webinar on 13 October 2020 to talk through the newly launched TEQSA academic integrity toolkit.

    Infographic: Academic Integrity in Australian Higher Education - A National Priority

    Workshop infographic icon    Explore the infographic which provides an overview of considerations and the priorities explored in the toolkit.

    Toolkit

     Workshop - 2019 TEQSA Academic integrity workshop recording, slides, and resources  Contract cheating -  Guide to substantiating contract cheating, TEQSA good practice note, and case studies

     Policy case studies, useful policy links, and benchmarking tools  Other resources -  Case studies, useful links, academic integrity organisations

    Workshop

    Policy and benchmarking

    Contract cheating

    Other resources

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  • Workshop

    Materials and videos from TEQSA’s Academic Integrity Workshops held in 2019 are available on this page for anyone undertaking academic integrity training or who wishes to refresh their knowledge.

    Videos

    Videos icon

    Infographic

    Workshop infographic icon

    Slides

    Slides icon

    Academic integrity myths encountered by the project team

    Academic integrity myths icon

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  • Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021

    On 1 July 2021, the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 came into effect.

    There were only minor updates to Part A of the Threshold Standards, while Part B was completely rewritten.

    Further amendments to Threshold Standards were made on 1 December 2021 to include a definition of Academic Freedom and update three standards.

    Earlier versions

    The HES Framework was first published in 2011 and revised in 2015.

    You can view these versions on the Federal Register of Legislation:

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  • Candidate information pack: Risk Analyst

    Position Number: 18950
    Position Title: Risk Analyst
    Group/Team: Risk and Compliance / Financial Advisory and Risk
    Employment Type: Ongoing, full-time
    Salary Range: $78,449 - $83,868 pa plus 15.4% superannuation
    Classification: APS Level 5
    Location: Level 11, 452 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
    Reporting to: Assistant Director, Risk Analysis
    Agency Employment Act: Public Service Act 1999

    Applications close at 11:59pm on 15 November 2022

    Applications must include the following cover sheet: TEQSA job application cover sheet [DOCX 1MB]

    About us

    The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) is Australia’s independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education. TEQSA’s purpose is to deliver quality assurance that protects the interests of students and the reputation and standing of Australian higher education.

    As an independent quality assurance and regulatory agency, TEQSA adopts a risk-based approach that is guided by principles of necessity, risk, and proportionality, and which supports quality, diversity, innovation, and excellence in tertiary education.

    TEQSA has three strategic objectives in delivering its purpose:

    1. Promote and support good practice and effective self-assurance across the sector.
    2. Identify, analyse, and respond to risks to the sector.
    3. Ensure compliance with applicable legislation through effective and efficient regulation.

    About you

    • Are you passionate about contributing to the excellence of Australian higher education?
    • Are you a strategic thinker with a drive for innovation and collaboration?
    • Do you want to work in a challenging, dynamic, and rewarding environment that is mission-focused?

    Our culture  

    Our organisational culture reflects our Culture Plan 2021 and the core values and behaviours that guide how we approach our work and interact with each other.

    The core values by which we operate include:

    • Trust – We have confidence in each other to do our best. We encourage open and honest conversations that focus on the issue, not the person. We promote a supportive and safe workplace environment.
    • Respect – We approach every situation with kindness, compassion, and an open mindset. We value people, the range of views and experience they bring, and the work they undertake.
    • Accountability – We hold ourselves and each other accountable for our actions, how we work together, and the quality of what we deliver. We gather feedback, reflect, and act on opportunities for improvement.
    • Collaboration – We draw on our collective strength by encouraging each other to contribute to the achievement of shared objectives. We provide context and information to help others succeed.

    At TEQSA, we are building a working environment that aligns with our cultural values and cultivates a rewarding, stimulating, and engaging workplace. If our organisational culture resonates with you, we want to hear from you. 

    How we value our employees 

    TEQSA is committed to investing in its people. So, what’s on offer for you?

    • A full-time and secure role in a for-purpose organisation that protects the interests of students and the reputation and standing of Australian higher education.
    • Flexible working arrangements, including working from home to balance work and personal life.
    • Conveniently located spacious office close to public transport in the heart of Melbourne CBD. We have relocated to a brand-new, interior-designed office with state-of-the-art technology and facilities designed for flexibility, collaboration, and wellbeing.
    • Generous leave entitlements, including study leave to support your professional development, personal leave, and paid time off over Christmas!
    • Competitive superannuation at 15.4 per cent and remuneration.
    • Professional development that is supported and encouraged so your career continues to grow as you enhance your technical and leadership skills and capabilities and build a career at TEQSA.
    • Free Employee Assistance Program for you and your immediate family members. Our external partner is a leading provider of wellbeing and mental health support services.
    • Workplace diversity and inclusion. TEQSA welcomes people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. TEQSA encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, people with disabilities, people that identify as LGBTQIA+, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

    Our opportunity

    TEQSA currently has an opportunity in the Financial Advisory and Risk Team, which sits within the Risk and Compliance Group.

    The Risk and Compliance Group sits within the Regulatory Operations Division, which is responsible for delivering TEQSA’s core business of undertaking regulatory assessment under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act). This includes the assessment of applications for (re)registration and (re)accreditation against the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (Threshold Standards) as well as applications under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) and its associated standards. The Division has responsibility for the active case management of registered higher education providers covering all aspects of regulation and quality assurance.

    The Financial Advisory and Risk Team is responsible for undertaking quantitative and qualitative analysis of information and intelligence related to risk to inform TEQSA’s regulatory assessment and compliance activity. The work of the team is key to ensuring that TEQSA’s regulatory and compliance activities are proportionate, reflect risk and regulatory necessity. The team work together with TEQSA’s Information Management team, to source, manage and process data from various sources. The team is made up of risk analysts and financial analysts, who collaborate closely to provide specialist and technical advice and services.

    About the position

    As the Risk Analyst, you will work under limited direction to provide specialist technical services, including undertaking risk assessments of higher education providers, analysing information from a range of sources, and translating intelligence into appropriately framed and well-evidenced assessments. You will also undertake tasks which are moderately complex to complex in nature to support the delivery of the annual risk assessment cycle and relevant monitoring programs.

    The core duties of the APS5 Risk Analyst role include:

    • providing logistical and administrative support to enable the smooth delivery of risk assessments, including the preparation of procedural and other documentation and management of communications and interactions with providers and other stakeholders.
    • undertaking risk-based assessments as required, reviewing, and analysing evidence submitted by providers and derived from other sources, interpreting legislation, and applying sound judgment to prepare well-argued recommendations for consideration by decision-makers.
    • integrating qualitative and quantitative data in undertaking risk analysis and risk monitoring tasks and activities.
    • contributing to the preparation of reports to TEQSA’s Commission and senior management to support decision making and education, including relying upon internal and external facing data, research, analysis, and commentary.
    • contributing to the continuous improvement of TEQSA’s risk assessment and risk monitoring program and processes.
    • building, maintaining, and applying work knowledge to deliver timely and effective outcomes, including knowledge of relevant legislation, policy, procedures, and guidelines.
    • working effectively and harmoniously in a team, managing competing priorities and requests, solving problems, and providing advice, training and support to others as required.

    Our ideal candidate

    TEQSA is looking for a high-performing team member who is passionate about contributing to the excellence of Australian higher education.

    Experience working in a regulatory environment and/or experience working in the Australian higher education sector is highly regarded.

    Our ideal candidate has the following:

    1. Well-developed analytical skills including the ability to collect, analyse, interpret, monitor, and report on data/trends including a demonstrated ability to undertake analysis of both qualitative and quantitative datasets.
    2. Sound administrative skills including the ability to prepare documentation and reporting systems to support the delivery of regulatory risk analysis and risk monitoring programs.
    3. Strong written and verbal communication skills including experience communicating complex data and information to a range of audiences verbally and/or in the form of high-quality concise and accurate reports and briefs.
    4. Ability to work under limited direction, to be proactive in making decisions and exercising judgement within defined parameters and manage competing priorities and deadlines.
    5. Ability to build and maintain cooperative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

    How to apply

    Your application should include the following items:

    1. TEQSA job application cover sheet
    2. a CV that demonstrates your experience in relation to the role (maximum two pages)
    3. a two-page pitch (1000 words or less) detailing:
      • how your skills and experience address the ‘our ideal candidate’ section (what makes you the best candidate for the position). Please use specific examples
      • the value you can add to TEQSA’s Risk and Compliance Group.

    Once prepared, please submit your completed application to recruitment@teqsa.gov.au.

    Handy hints

    Eligibility

    The successful applicant must:

    Failure to satisfy any of the above conditions may result in the withdrawal of an offer of employment or termination of employment.

    Other relevant information

    • this recruitment process is being used to fill an ongoing vacancy
    • a merit pool of suitable applicants will be created from this process and may be used to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies within TEQSA. It is active for 18 months from the date of this advertisement.
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  • TEQSA stakeholder survey 2016

    Body

    Overview

    In July 2016 TEQSA undertook a sector wide survey for 2015-16. The primary purpose of the survey was to assess TEQSA’s performance for 2015-16 against the key indicators outlined in TEQSA’s Regulator Performance Framework (2015-16). Additionally, the survey was intended to increase TEQSA’s accountability, better understand its impact on higher education providers, and improve its performance.

    The survey consisted of:

    • Two provider specific versions (a brief survey for the operational head and a more detailed one for the principal contact) for all Higher Education providers (those registered as well as those who had submitted initial registration applications)
    • A brief survey for the operational head of selected peak/professional/student bodies.

    TEQSA engaged Australian Survey Research (ASR) to deploy and analyse a web survey of 194 principal contacts (PC), 194 VC/CEOs (VC/CEO) and 24 peak, professional and student bodies (PPSB).

    The content of the surveys focused on TEQSA’s key performance indicators from its Regulator Performance Framework (2015-16). In addition, principal contacts were asked about various recent interactions with TEQSA including applications, case managers and roundtables. All respondents in all surveys were asked to rate TEQSA’s overall performance as a regulator.

    Stakeholder
    Publication type