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TEQSA issues sector update about ASQA regulatory action to cancel qualifications issued by Luvium Pty Ltd
TEQSA has issued a sector update to higher education providers about ASQA regulatory action to cancel qualifications issued by Luvium Pty Ltd.
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Date

Thu, 2024-11-21 12:00

Last updated:
21 Nov 2024

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Sector update
Amendment to the Australian Qualifications Framework Issuance Policy

TEQSA has been advised that the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Issuance Policy has been updated to include an exception for the pharmacy profession.

This follows approval for this amendment by the Commonwealth, State and Territory ministers responsible for higher education in Australia, as detailed in Addendum No.5 to the AQF Second Edition January 2013: Amended Qualification Type: AQF Issuance Policy, Masters Degree (Extended).

From 1 January 2025, graduates who have completed the course requirements for an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended) course in the pharmacy discipline will be able to use the qualification title ‘Doctor of Pharmacy’.

Pharmacy graduates who have not completed an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Extended) cannot use the title ‘Doctor of’.

Further information about this amendment, including frequently asked questions, is available on the AQF website.

Date

Fri, 2024-11-22 12:00

Last updated:
22 Nov 2024

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CRICOS - frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is CRICOS?

The Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) is the official register of all Australian education providers that are permitted to offer courses to students studying in Australia on student visas. For more information visit the CRICOS website, which lists registered providers and registered courses.

Where can I find information about the ESOS transition to compliance?

In recognition of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, TEQSA approved regulatory flexibility in relation to delivery mode to allow providers to deliver courses online to overseas students. Based on a review of the current situation, TEQSA now expects the sector to transition to compliance with all requirements relating to delivery mode (under the National Code and ELICOS Standards) by 30 June 2023. TEQSA has now published answers to frequently asked questions on the ESOS return to compliance. For any further questions, please contact the CRICOS team at cricos@teqsa.gov.au.

Who can submit CRICOS applications via the TEQSA Provider Portal?

Your organisation’s Principal Executive Officer can make a request for access to the Portal on behalf of other staff within the organisation. All requests for Portal access should be sent to cricos@teqsa.gov.au and include the names and email addresses of the users to be added. Once the request has been actioned by TEQSA, the new users will receive instructions on how to access the Portal.

Providers can nominate more than one ESOS Application Contact to have access to the Portal but it is important that these contacts are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain current. Please notify cricos@teqsa.gov.au as soon as possible if Portal access needs to be cancelled, for example if the contact has left the organisation or access is no longer required.

For further information on using the Portal, access our Provider Portal – Frequently Asked Questions.

What should I do if I receive an error message or I am unable to upload documents to the TEQSA Provider Portal due to the file size exceeding the limit?

Check that the documents you are trying to upload do not:
- include a file name that exceeds 128 characters in length
- include a file name that contains any special characters
- exceed the size limit for each file of 10MB.
For further information on using the Portal, access our Provider Portal – Frequently Asked Questions.

If you are still unable to upload documentation via the TEQSA Provider Portal please contact cricos@teqsa.gov.au or your assessment manager for assistance. Please do not provide links to drop boxes or other document sharing platforms.

Where can I get help in using PRISMS?

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment has published a Provider User Guide for using the Provider Registration and International Student Management System (PRISMS) which provides step by step instructions for performing various functions.

How do I register an ELICOS course on CRICOS?

In order to deliver an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) course, your organisation must be a registered higher education provider, or a provider that has an entry arrangement with at least one registered higher education provider. To add an ELICOS course to CRICOS, providers should submit an Add ELICOS on CRICOS application via the TEQSA Provider Portal. The application will be assessed against the requirements of the ESOS Act, the National Code and the ELICOS National Standards.

How do I register a Foundation course?

TEQSA has regulatory responsibility for all Foundation programs. Foundation programs for international students are nationally recognised courses that equip students with the skills for entry into Australian higher education programs. They provide an academic entry pathway to first year undergraduate study or its equivalent.

Please submit an Add Foundation Program/s on CRICOS application.

Foundation programs must comply with requirements set out in the:
- Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act)
- National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018)
- National Standards for Foundation Programs.
Exemption - U17s in Foundation Programs

Providers seeking to apply for an exemption to enrol students under the age of 17 (minimum acceptable age is 16) in a Foundation program, must submit an Application for exemption to enrol students under the age of 17 in Foundation Programs application detailing arrangements in place to support younger students.

The application must meet the necessary requirements, include all information requested and be submitted through the Provider portal. No fees apply for seeking an exemption.

For international students

How do I find out about course availability, admission requirements and fees?

To find out about course availability, admission requirements, associated fees or any other course details or requirements, you should contact your higher education provider directly. TEQSA is not able to provide this information.

Can TEQSA provide advice about my student visa?

No, TEQSA is not able to give advice on any visa queries nor comment on the impact that individual circumstances may have on particular visas. For all visa enquiries, you should contact the Department of Home Affairs, or seek assistance from a student advisor at your higher education provider.

Further information

For more information or assistance, please see TEQSA’s Application forms and support page, or contact the CRICOS team at cricos@teqsa.gov.au.
Last updated:
27 Apr 2023
Related links
- CRICOS and ELICOS

How to apply to add an ELICOS course to CRICOS

ELICOS courses

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) courses are nationally recognised and provide solely or mostly English language instruction to help overseas students improve their English. This may be for work or career purposes, personal interest, travel, or to prepare them to continue their education in English, either in Australia or elsewhere.

Only education institutions registered under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) and listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) can enrol overseas students to study in Australia on a student visa.

TEQSA has regulatory responsibility for ELICOS courses delivered by registered higher education providers, and ELICOS courses delivered by education providers with an entry arrangement with at least one registered higher education provider. TEQSA is also the ESOS agency responsible for registering and renewing registration on CRICOS by these providers.

ELICOS courses must comply with requirements set out in the:

ESOS Act
National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018)
ELICOS Standards 2018 (ELICOS Standards).

Where there is an arrangement in place for an overseas student to enter a tertiary course directly following successful completion of the ELICOS course, providers must demonstrate that assessment outcomes for overseas students are comparable to other English language criteria used for admission to that tertiary course. For more information, see TEQSA’s ELICOS direct entry guide.

While there are non-statutory organisations that provide professional accreditation, professional development, quality assurance reviews and other services supporting the standard of English language teaching in Australia, only an Australian Government ESOS agency can approve providers to deliver ELICOS courses to overseas students who are in Australia on a student visa.

TEQSA strongly encourages providers applying to accredit a new course or to renew accreditation for their ELICOS course to engage independent expert advice.

TEQSA expects that ELICOS providers can demonstrate how they are ensuring their management, teaching, marketing and administration staff are engaged with contemporary, best-practice approaches to educational and professional outcomes, reflecting an up-to-date knowledge of significant developments in theory and practice in English language training.

Self-assurance report

TEQSA requires that providers seeking to add an ELICOS course to their CRICOS registration or renew an existing ELICOS course submit a self-assurance report.

A self-assurance report is an opportunity for providers to demonstrate the effectiveness of their self-assurance mechanisms.

The report should consist of no more than 5 pages outlining how the provider’s governing body assures itself of the quality of its education operations in relation to its ELICOS course, and that it meets and will continue to meet the requirements of the ESOS Act, the National Code 2018 and the ELICOS Standards.

Note: All claims made in the self-assurance report must be substantiated by evidence, with reference to specific supporting documents in-text. Wherever possible, supporting evidence should be directly accessible via in-text hyperlinks, included as attachments to the report where specified, or otherwise listed in an index for later submission on request.

Adding a new ELICOS course

As part of the self-assurance report, providers wishing to add a new ELICOS course to CRICOS should:

Provide evidence of how risks have been identified, managed and mitigated, and how the provider will manage these risks going forward, including areas for continuous improvement, and associated actions and measures to monitor success.
Demonstrate how the provider manages key sector risks in the following areas:

Student participation, support and experience	TEQSA recommends that providers consider: guidance on staffing, learning resources and educational support, wellbeing and safety the Department of Education’s best practice international student engagement guides the Australian Government’s Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education good practice resources on welfare and wellbeing.
Student attainment	TEQSA recommends that providers consider: guidance on monitoring and analysis of student performance, academic and research integrity, technology-enhanced learning, and addressing contract cheating to safeguard academic integrity and academic and research integrity resources on artificial intelligence.
Workforce planning	TEQSA recommends that providers consider: guidance on workforce planning and staffing, learning resources and educational support.

Student participation, support and experience

TEQSA recommends that providers consider:

guidance on staffing, learning resources and educational support, wellbeing and safety
the Department of Education’s best practice international student engagement guides
the Australian Government’s Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education
good practice resources on welfare and wellbeing.

Student attainment

TEQSA recommends that providers consider:

guidance on monitoring and analysis of student performance, academic and research integrity, technology-enhanced learning, and addressing contract cheating to safeguard academic integrity and academic and research integrity
resources on artificial intelligence.

Workforce planning

TEQSA recommends that providers consider:

guidance on workforce planning and staffing, learning resources and educational support.

Note: TEQSA expects that providers specialising in the delivery of ELICOS courses will adapt sector-wide advice to the specific needs of their students.

Outline the findings, actions arising, and resulting outcomes of at least one review by a suitably qualified discipline expert that verifies that the course is compliant with the ELICOS Standards. A copy of the review should be included as an attachment to the self-assurance report. See the section Commissioning a review of compliance with the ELICOS Standards below for further information.
Provide evidence of the course’s approval and oversight through the provider’s internal quality assurance mechanisms.
Demonstrate that the ELICOS Course meets the minimum requirement of 20 hours face-to-face scheduled course contact per week, as well as any other study requirements and any scheduled breaks.
Verify that policies and procedures related to study arrangements for students under the age of 18 comply with the National Code 2018.
Outline that facilities and operations for any mixed-age student cohorts are designed to meet the needs of students of different ages, maturity and levels of English language proficiency.
Outline access to services, learning opportunities, facilities and equipment that address students’ English language learning needs.
Demonstrate that course materials and tutoring are tailored to meet student learning requirements, taking into account the differing levels of students’ age and maturity.
Provide evidence of the formal measures the provider has implemented to ensure that assessment outcomes for the English language subjects are comparable to other criteria used for admission to the available higher education pathways, or for admission to other similar courses of study.

Renewing an existing ELICOS course

TEQSA requires CRICOS-registered providers who deliver ELICOS courses to apply for re-accreditation of their ELICOS course(s) at the same time they are applying to renew their CRICOS registration. For these providers, the application to renew their ELICOS course(s) is integrated into the application to renew their CRICOS registration. These providers will submit 2 self-assurance reports as part of their CRICOS renewal: one focused on the CRICOS re-registration requirements, and one focused on the ELICOS requirements.

Providers wishing to renew an ELICOS course should follow the same requirements in preparing the self-assurance report as when applying to add a new ELICOS course to CRICOS.

Commissioning a review of compliance with the ELICOS Standards

TEQSA strongly encourages providers to commission a review by a suitably qualified discipline expert to verify their ELICOS courses’ compliance with the ESOS Act, the National Code 2018 and the ELICOS Standards. Commissioning a review can be an effective way for a provider to check that the design of their ELICOS course and their institutional policies, procedures and practices are fit for purpose.

The engagement of an independent expert should be seen primarily as an opportunity to contribute to self-assurance and the continuous improvement of the organisation, rather than a method to meet TEQSA or other requirements. TEQSA expects providers can show how they have reflected on the recommendations made and identified and implemented improvements, both of which are critical elements of a healthy self-assurance and quality improvement process.

Reviewers’ professional experience and qualifications should match the requirements of the review task, and reviewers should be briefed before the assignment and given clear specifications for the task. TEQSA has prepared a sample brief for reviewers, to indicate TEQSA’s expectations in relation to the scope of the review.