Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts

On 28 August 2024, TEQSA renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts as an Institute of Higher Education, for a period of 7 years until 28 August 2031.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that Australian Academy of Music and Performing Arts continues to meet the applicable Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.

Extensions of registration and accreditation periods

Report on extensions to the registration and accreditation of a course offered by

On 28 August 2024 a delegate of TEQSA extended:

• under section 37A of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011(TEQSA Act), the registration of Kontea Pty Ltd in the category of Higher Education Provider to 31 December 2024
• under section 57A of the TEQSA Act, the accreditation of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) to 31 December 2024.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions consistent with the principles set out in TEQSA's policy on extensions to the period of provider registration or course accreditation, including an assessment of risks associated with the extension.

Extensions of registration and accreditation periods

Report on extensions to the registration and accreditation of a course offered by

On 28 August 2024 a delegate of TEQSA extended:

• under section 37A of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011(TEQSA Act), the registration of Kontea Pty Ltd in the category of Higher Education Provider to 31 December 2024
• under section 57A of the TEQSA Act, the accreditation of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) to 31 December 2024.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions consistent with the principles set out in TEQSA's policy on extensions to the period of provider registration or course accreditation, including an assessment of risks associated with the extension.

Suspension of ESOS registration

Report on the suspension of the ESOS registration of Kontea Pty Ltd

On 28 August 2024 a delegate of TEQSA suspended the registration of Kontea Pty Ltd under section 83(3)(b) of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act).

• The suspension is effective immediately
• Under section 95 of the ESOS Act Kontea must not:
  • do anything for the purpose of recruiting or enrolling overseas students for any course at any location; or
  • solicit or accept any money from an overseas student or an intending overseas student for any course at any location; or
  • if an accepted student has not begun a course - permit the student to begin any course at any location.
• TEQSA has decided that for the whole period of the suspension that paragraph (b) does not apply to Kontea Pty Ltd in relation to overseas students that have already started their course.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision based on concerns regarding Kontea Pty Ltd.'s financial viability and corporate governance.

In particular, TEQSA is concerned Kontea:

• did not meet its obligations under section 29(3) of the ESOS Act to ensure that, at all times, there is a sufficient amount to repay all tuition fees to every overseas student or intending overseas student
• based on its non-payment of the Registered Higher Education Provider (RHEP) charge imposed by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Charges) Act 2021, may not meet the registration requirements of the ESOS Act, considering paragraph 11(h) of that Act
• has shown there are issues with its financial viability and governance
• lacks the financial capacity to address the non-compliance
• has not provided credible evidence to show it is currently ableto meet its obligations under section 29(3).

Right of review

The decision to impose a condition on CRICOS registration is a reviewable decision under Part 7A of the ESOS Act. Kontea Pty Ltd may apply to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for an external review of the decision. Information about making applications to the AAT, including the time limits, contact details and fees payable, is available at http://www.aat.gov.au/applying-for-a-review.

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of three higher education courses of study in teach out mode offered by Sydney Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd

On 02 September 2024, a delegate of TEQSA renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses in teach out mode offered by Sydney Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd, until 29 May 2026:

• Diploma of Business Administration
• Diploma of Information Technology (formerly Diploma of Computing)
• Diploma of Media and Communication (formerly Diploma of Communication)

No new enrolments are permitted in the above course(s).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it considers it appropriate to permit Sydney Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd to teach out the above courses over a period of two years.

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of three higher education courses of study in teach out mode offered by Sydney Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd

On 02 September 2024, a delegate of TEQSA renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses in teach out mode offered by Sydney Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd, until 29 May 2026:

• Diploma of Business Administration
• Diploma of Information Technology (formerly Diploma of Computing)
• Diploma of Media and Communication (formerly Diploma of Communication)

No new enrolments are permitted in the above course(s).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it considers it appropriate to permit Sydney Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd to teach out the above courses over a period of two years.

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of three higher education courses of study in teach out mode offered by Sydney Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd

On 02 September 2024, a delegate of TEQSA renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses in teach out mode offered by Sydney Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd, until 29 May 2026:

• Diploma of Business Administration
• Diploma of Information Technology (formerly Diploma of Computing)
• Diploma of Media and Communication (formerly Diploma of Communication)

No new enrolments are permitted in the above course(s).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it considers it appropriate to permit Sydney Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd to teach out the above courses over a period of two years.

Extension of registration period

Report on extension of SAE Institute Pty Limited's registration

On 28 August 2024, a delegate of TEQSA extended, under section 37A of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of SAE Institute Pty Limited in the category of University College, from 06 November 2026 to 06 November 2029.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision consistent with the principles set out in TEQSA's policy on extensions to the period of provider registration or course accreditation, including an assessment of risks associated with the extension.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd

On 28 August 2024, TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd as an Institute of Higher Education, for a period of 7 years until 28 August 2031
• renewed, under section 56 of the TEQSA Act, the accreditation of the Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Bachelor of Business (Marketing), and Diploma of Business courses, for a period of 7 years until 28 August 2031
• renewed, under section 10E of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act), the application by Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd for renewal of registration on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS), for a period of 7 years until 28 August 2031 in order to align with its TEQSA registration
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, the following condition on the registration of Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd:

Condition 1.

1. By 31 December 2024, PIA must engage a suitably qualified independent reviewer or reviewers to undertake a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of PIA's oversight and management of risks to its higher education operations. The reviewer/s should have particular regard to the effectiveness of:
   
   1. the governing board's oversight of, and processes for monitoring performance and managing risk; and
   2. PIA's organisational management, delegated decision making and academic administrative processes.

      The reviewer/s and the scope of review must be approved by TEQSA, and the review, in addressing the above, must consider, but is not limited to, the concerns outlined in the assessment report relating to the effectiveness of PIA's: agent management; student admission processes; performance monitoring and evaluation of student outcomes and student attrition rates; student support structures; and academic governance, scholarship, and course design and review processes.

2. By 31 August 2025, PIA must provide TEQSA with:
   
   1. A copy of the completed review report.
   2. Evidence of PIA's governing body has considered the review; including any action plans to address or implement recommendations from the review.
   3. Evidence of progress towards implementing any agreed actions arising from the review.
3. By 31 August 2026, PIA must provide TEQSA with:
   
   1. Evidence that PIA's governing body has reviewed the implementation of any actions arising from the comprehensive review, and the effectiveness of these actions in addressing any identified issues.
   2. Evidence that PIA's governing body has used the review of the effectiveness of their actions to embed continuous improvements into their routine corporate and academic governance processes.

The condition will cease to be in effect upon completion of all of the above actions.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

1. Corporate monitoring and accountability (Standard 6.2.1): PIA has not demonstrated that its corporate and academic governing bodies assures themselves that PIA is identifying and managing risks to its higher education operations effectively including with regard to its risk management oversight and monitoring accountable bodies with delegated responsibilities for managing risk, student attrition rates, agent management, and student admission and support.
2. Scholarship (Standard 3.2.3 and Criterion B1.1.2): PIA has not demonstrated that it has meaningfully implemented measures that ensures its academic staff continue to engage in, or be informed by, scholarship.
3. Monitoring, review and improvement (Section 5.3): PIA has not demonstrated that reviews of its courses involve adequate oversight by the institutional academic governance processes. The lack of evidence of regular benchmarking, external referencing, and using student feedback for improvements and risk mitigation indicates deficiencies in PIA's course review processes.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 32 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.