Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Southern Cross Education Institute (Higher Education) Pty Ltd

On 10 October 2022, the TEQSA Commission:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following course offered by Southern Cross Education Institute (Higher Education) Pty Ltd, for a period of five years until 10 October 2027:
  • Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary).
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, two conditions on the accreditation of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary).

strong>Condition 1: Staffing

Southern Cross Education Institute (Higher Education) Pty Ltd (SCEI HE) is not to commence delivery of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) until such time as TEQSA notifies SCEI HE that TEQSA is satisfied SCEI HE has appointed suitably qualified academic staff to teach and provide academic leadership in the course.

For this to be assessed by TEQSA, SCEI HE must provide TEQSA the CVs of all teaching and academic leadership staff appointed for the course, including details of SCEI HE's assessment of professional equivalency for those who do not meet the requirements of Standard 3.2.3, prior to the commencement of delivery.

Condition 2: Delivery with Other Parties

Southern Cross Education Institute (Higher Education) Pty Ltd (SCEI HE) is not to commence delivery of the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) until such time as TEQSA notifies SCEI HE that TEQSA is satisfied SCEI HE has obtained professional accreditation from the relevant state bodies and has secured professional placements at primary schools.

For these to be assessed by TEQSA, SCEI HE must provide TEQSA with evidence of professional accreditation and agreements that demonstrate professional placements for students have been secured, prior to the commencement of delivery.

Main reasons for the decision

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

3. Standards 3.2.1, 3.2.2 and 3.2.3 in relation to the adequacy of staffing.
4. Standards 5.4.1 and 3.1.5 in relation to the securing of professional accreditation and primary school professional placements.

TEQSA's decision to impose conditions on the accreditation of the course is a reviewable decision under section 183 of the TEQSA Act.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 53 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the accreditation of a higher education course of study, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

Registration

Report on registration of The Australian Data Institute Pty Ltd

On 10 October 2022, TEQSA:

• granted, under section 21 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the application by The Australian Data Institute Pty Ltd (ADI) for registration in the category of Institute of Higher Education, for a period of 5 years until 10 October 2027.
• accredited, under section 49 of the TEQSA Act, the following courses for delivery by ADI for a period of 5 years until 10 October 2027:
  • Bachelor of Cyber Security
  • Bachelor of Data Science
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of ADI.

Condition 1: Corporate Monitoring and Accountability

For the first 5 years after registration, ADI must report to TEQSA if any of the following events occur, based on board accepted management accounts as at 30 June and 31 December each year:

1. The Current Ratio, defined as Current Assets divided by Current Liabilities (excluding related party transactions), falls below 0.
2. The Net Operating Cash Flow falls below projections listed in the revised sensitised forecast of ADI's finances by a margin of 10 per cent or greater.
3. EBITDA, defined as Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortisation, falls below projections listed in the revised sensitised forecast of ADI's finances by a margin of 10 per cent or greater.
4. Closing cash balance falls below projections listed in the revised sensitised forecast by a margin of 10 per cent or greater.
5. The number of commencing and continuing students (domestic and international), and the equivalent full time student load (EFTSL) falls below projections listed in the revised sensitised forecast by a margin of 10 per cent or greater. For both the number of students enrolled and the EFTSL, ADI must provide the actual figures compared to those projected in the sensitised forecast, as well as the budget period.

The reporting, if any of these events occur, must be within 60 days of 30 June or 31 December respectively, based on the board approved management accounts.

Content of reports

The report provided to TEQSA must:

1. be based on ADI's board approved management accounts (which must be provided to TEQSA)
2. include a business plan, revised financial and student projections
3. include all actions and short timeframes planned for correcting negative elements.

For this condition, the revised sensitised forecast is the forecast contained in the Statement of Reasons report provided with the Notice of Decision.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions on the basis that it was satisfied that ADI meets the Provider Registration Standards and the courses meet the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the HES Framework. However, TEQSA considered that there remained a risk related to ADI's capacity to meet the Threshold Standards in the future. On this basis, TEQSA decided that it was appropriate to register ADI for a period of 5 years until 10 October 2027, and to accredit ADI's Bachelor of Cyber Security and Bachelor of Data Science courses for the same period.

The five-year period of registration and accreditation is consistent with the basic principles of regulation and reflects risks associated with an applicant for initial registration intending to offer a higher education course but having no history in the provision of higher education.

TEQSA also decided it was appropriate to impose one condition on ADI's registration.

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.

Registration

Report on registration of The Australian Data Institute Pty Ltd

On 10 October 2022, TEQSA:

• granted, under section 21 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the application by The Australian Data Institute Pty Ltd (ADI) for registration in the category of Institute of Higher Education, for a period of 5 years until 10 October 2027.
• accredited, under section 49 of the TEQSA Act, the following courses for delivery by ADI for a period of 5 years until 10 October 2027:
  • Bachelor of Cyber Security
  • Bachelor of Data Science
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of ADI.

Condition 1: Corporate Monitoring and Accountability

For the first 5 years after registration, ADI must report to TEQSA if any of the following events occur, based on board accepted management accounts as at 30 June and 31 December each year:

1. The Current Ratio, defined as Current Assets divided by Current Liabilities (excluding related party transactions), falls below 0.
2. The Net Operating Cash Flow falls below projections listed in the revised sensitised forecast of ADI's finances by a margin of 10 per cent or greater.
3. EBITDA, defined as Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortisation, falls below projections listed in the revised sensitised forecast of ADI's finances by a margin of 10 per cent or greater.
4. Closing cash balance falls below projections listed in the revised sensitised forecast by a margin of 10 per cent or greater.
5. The number of commencing and continuing students (domestic and international), and the equivalent full time student load (EFTSL) falls below projections listed in the revised sensitised forecast by a margin of 10 per cent or greater. For both the number of students enrolled and the EFTSL, ADI must provide the actual figures compared to those projected in the sensitised forecast, as well as the budget period.

The reporting, if any of these events occur, must be within 60 days of 30 June or 31 December respectively, based on the board approved management accounts.

Content of reports

The report provided to TEQSA must:

1. be based on ADI's board approved management accounts (which must be provided to TEQSA)
2. include a business plan, revised financial and student projections
3. include all actions and short timeframes planned for correcting negative elements.

For this condition, the revised sensitised forecast is the forecast contained in the Statement of Reasons report provided with the Notice of Decision.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions on the basis that it was satisfied that ADI meets the Provider Registration Standards and the courses meet the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the HES Framework. However, TEQSA considered that there remained a risk related to ADI's capacity to meet the Threshold Standards in the future. On this basis, TEQSA decided that it was appropriate to register ADI for a period of 5 years until 10 October 2027, and to accredit ADI's Bachelor of Cyber Security and Bachelor of Data Science courses for the same period.

The five-year period of registration and accreditation is consistent with the basic principles of regulation and reflects risks associated with an applicant for initial registration intending to offer a higher education course but having no history in the provision of higher education.

TEQSA also decided it was appropriate to impose one condition on ADI's registration.

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.

Cancellation of Course Accreditation

Report on the cancellation of an accredited course of study offered by Technical and Further Education Commission

On 30 June 2021 a delegate of TEQSA cancelled, under section 99 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following course currently accredited with the Technical and Further Education Commission:

• Bachelor of Aged Services

The National Register will indicate for this course:

Accreditation cancelled by TEQSA at provider's request, effective 30 June 2021.

Main reasons for the decision

The course accreditation was cancelled by mutual agreement between TEQSA and the Technical and Further Education Commission on the basis that the courses will not be delivered. The delegate is satisfied that no enrolments have been or will be accepted and that the provider has not recommenced delivery of the courses.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Excelsia College

On 9 June 2021, TEQSA renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Excelsia College in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of seven years until 9 June 2028.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that Excelsia College continues to meet the Provider Registration and Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

TEQSA found that Excelsia College has demonstrated:

• a commitment to building and supporting its culture of scholarship
• plans for extensive benchmarking and external academic input
• plans for well-targeted support, appropriate to the varying needs of its students
• sound governance of its coursework offerings.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Murdoch University

On 9 June 2021 TEQSA renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Murdoch University in the category of Australian University, for a period of four years until 9 June 2025.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that Murdoch University (Murdoch) continues to meet the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

TEQSA has renewed the registration for a shortened period to allow Murdoch to demonstrate to TEQSA the effective implementation of improvements it is making to its higher education operations and to allow Murdoch to advise TEQSA of the progress of these ongoing improvements during the period of registration.

TEQSA will offer Murdoch an opportunity to enter a voluntary undertaking to address the risk of future non-compliance and to provide a suitable framework to allow Murdoch to demonstrate ongoing improvements to its corporate and academic governance.

Revocation of accreditation condition

Report on the revocation of one condition imposed on the accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Technical and Further Education Commission

On 30 June 2021 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 53 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Condition 1 imposed on the accreditation of the following course offered by the Technical and Further Education Commission (refer public report of 19 November 2019):

• Associate Degree of Applied Engineering (Renewable Energy Technologies)

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the condition is no longer necessary.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by The Cairnmillar Institute

On 30 June 2021, a delegate of TEQSA accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following course offered by The Cairnmillar Institute, for a period of seven years until 30 June 2028:

• Bachelor of Psychology and Counselling.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the course submitted by The Cairnmillar Institute for accreditation meets the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd

On 26 July 2021, a delegate of TEQSA accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following courses offered by Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd, for a period of seven years until 26 July 2028:

• Master of Business
• Graduate Diploma in Business
• Graduate Certificate in Business.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the courses submitted by Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd for accreditation meet the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.