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TEQSA publishes compliance in focus resources to support providers in meeting their obligations under the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework).
The resources below contain information on best practice and links to other useful information to assist providers in ensuring their continued compliance with the HES Framework.
In 2023, TEQSA observed an increase in risks to compliance in the recruitment of overseas students and the monitoring of education agents.
This included a large increase in the number of overseas students who, after being recruited by education agents, were refused a visa, failed to commence, or left the provider before completing their course of study.
This raised concerns that providers were not meeting their obligations under the National Code and HES Framework to recruit responsibly and to ensure their education agents were acting ethically, honestly and in the best interests of students.
TEQSA expects each provider to vigilantly monitor the conduct and performance of the education agents it engages to formally represent it. Further, providers are expected to develop mature processes for evaluating student performance and outcomes to inform its recruitment activities.
In 2023, TEQSA’s assessments identified significant risks to compliance in the monitoring of education agents for numerous providers, including universities.
TEQSA sought information from each of these providers to better understand their processes for monitoring education agents, and their response to the elevated risk.
Some providers were able to address TEQSA’s concerns by demonstrating that robust and effective self-assurance mechanisms were in place. This included evidence that the provider had identified issues independent of TEQSA’s assessment, had taken steps to understand the root cause of the problems, and was in the process of implementing measures to address them.
Importantly, these providers were able to demonstrate that their governing bodies had sufficient and effective oversight of these risks and the actions to address them.
In contrast, some providers were unable to adequately address TEQSA’s concerns, and further regulatory intervention was required. TEQSA is working closely with the Department of Home Affairs, the Department of Education, and the Australian Skills Quality Authority to continue to monitor risks in the recruitment of overseas students and provider management of education agents.
Providers are expected to be able to demonstrate that they have effective processes and mechanisms in place for monitoring their education agents.
We encourage providers to:
TEQSA’s latest compliance report outlines our current priorities, previous compliance activities and also includes best practice compliance-in-focus resources for providers.
As detailed in the report, TEQSA continues to focus on a number of compliance priorities, systemic issues related to online learning quality and the continuing risk posed by commercial academic cheating services.
Registrations are now open for the free TEQSA Talks#3 webinar on Thursday 3 October, 2-3pm (AEST).
Our TEQSA Talks series aims to inform the sector about our regulatory work, quality assurance matters, and risk. At each webinar, you'll hear from our senior leaders and you can participate in a Q&A if you wish.
Thanks to everyone who attended the TEQSA Talks #2 webinar. If you missed out, a recording is on our TEQSA Talks page and YouTube channel.
Our 8th annual conference on 13 November is exploring the theme of Navigating tomorrow: Anticipating challenges, embracing change.
Join us for Australia's only truly sector-focused event in the award-winning Grand Ballroom at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, in the heart of the Treasury precinct and Fitzroy Gardens. A virtual attendance option is also available.
See the conference website for more details, including early bird tickets and discounted accommodation offers.
Predatory conferences are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their marketing and presentation. They can waste time and research funds, and damage your reputation and academic integrity.
There’s no single checklist for identifying a predatory conference, but reputable conferences share some common qualities and features. These can be used to help you decide which conferences you should, and shouldn’t, engage with.
TEQSA has published an A to Z of predatory conferences, to help you work out which ones are reputable. Providers are welcome to download the A to Z to share with academics and students. You may wish to add it to your institution's website, include it in your next newsletter, or print it for use as a poster around campus.
The Global Academic Integrity Network (GAIN), representing 40 education quality and integrity agencies from around the world including TEQSA, has issued an open letter calling on social media and online platforms to take action to stop the advertising of commercial contract cheating services.
Online contract cheating services facilitate academic dishonesty by allowing students to pay someone else to complete assignments and/or take exams on their behalf. These services undermine students’ learning as well as trust in the qualifications which they ultimately receive.
GAIN’s open letter calls on major social media and online platforms to join the fight against academic dishonesty.
By major online platforms working together with GAIN, and reviewing and upholding their community guidelines, GAIN believes we can significantly reduce the visibility and impact of contract cheating services and send a powerful message worldwide about the value of legitimate academic achievements.
This short document is intended to give institutions and teaching and learning leaders in Australian higher education some ideas about steps that can be taken immediately to address the risks to academic integrity posed by generative artificial intelligence (AI). It is recognised that longer-term planning and action are already occurring. The ideas in this document are intended to provide mitigation strategies while those longer-term plans take shape.
There is no single checklist for determining if a conference is predatory. However, reputable conferences share some common qualities and features.
Compliance monitoring approach