The TEQSA Conference is a must-attend event for anyone with an interest in higher education regulation, quality assurance and emerging risks and trends.

Our attendees include:

• higher education professionals and quality practitioners interested in current and future trends within the sector
• institutes of higher education, university colleges, TAFEs and universities
• higher education students
• representatives from higher education peak bodies and industry professional accreditation bodies.

2026 TEQSA Conference

Our 2026 conference will be delivered as a fully virtual event on 17 and 18 November from 10:00am to 3:30pm (AEDT)

Previous TEQSA Conferences

TEQSA 2025: Trust, Transparency, Transformation

18-19 November 2025, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins and online

• TEQSA 2025 Conference

TEQSA 2024: Navigating tomorrow – anticipating challenges, embracing change

12-13 November 2024, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins and online

• TEQSA 2024 Conference

TEQSA 2023: Reshaping higher education

22–23 November 2023, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and online

• TEQSA 2023 Conference 

TEQSA 2022: Fit for the Future – Leadership, Quality, Integrity

23–24 November 2022, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins and online

• TEQSA 2022 Conference 

TEQSA 2021: Hard Lessons, Valuable Learnings, Heightened Expectations

25 November 2021, Virtual

• TEQSA 2021 Conference

TEQSA 2019: Partnerships Driving Quality

27-29 November 2019, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins

• TEQSA 2019 Conference

TEQSA 2018: Innovation, Excellent, Diversity

28-30 November 2018, Grand Hyatt, Melbourne

• TEQSA 2018 Conference

TEQSA 2017: Students, Quality, Success

29 November – 1 December 2017, Grand Hyatt Melbourne

• TEQSA 2017 Conference

TEQSA 2016: Sharing Excellence: Assuring Quality

9 November 2016, Park Royal Hotel, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport 

Our inaugural conference, held in collaboration with Higher Ed Services (HES), attracted huge support from the sector with 420 people from 95 institutions attending.

Before applying for registration as a higher education provider

How to apply for registration as a higher education provider

Key considerations for providers preparing a self-assurance report (initial registration)

Indicative timeframes for registration

The Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework 2021) replaced the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 (HES Framework 2015) on 1 July 2021. Information regarding the HES Framework 2021 (including a contextual overview and breakdown of each Domain) is available from our Higher Education Standards Framework 2021 section.

Supporting materials for online applications

Application guides

• Application guide for initial registration as a prospective higher education provider *updated 19 June 2026
• Application guide for renewal of registration *updated 6 August 2024
• Application guide for self-accrediting authority *updated 5 December 2025
• Application guide for course accreditation (registered providers) *updated 15 July 2025
• Application guide for renewal of course accreditation *updated 15 July 2025
• Application guide for renewal of course accreditation in teach out *updated 15 July 2025
• Application guide for authorisation to provide Australian courses offshore *updated 1 January 2026

Guides/templates

• Naming conventions for evidence – guide

We appreciate the constructive feedback received to date on the revised application guides. While the beta consultation period for the application guides above has now closed, comments are still welcome. 

Please direct any feedback to standards@teqsa.gov.au. 

Good practice notes

• Addressing contract cheating to safeguard academic integrity
• Making higher education admissions transparent for prospective students

Guidance notes

View TEQSA's guidance notes relating to the HES Framework on our guidance notes page.

Online forms

Online application forms (for applications under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011) are available through the Provider Portal.

Prospective higher education providers applying for initial registration

• Registration in HEP Category
• Initial Course Accreditation

Registered higher education providers

• Course Accreditation existing provider
• Renewal of Course Accreditation
• Renewal of Registration
• Self-Accrediting Authority

These new forms are supported by a range of application guides (see above for examples).

Other guides

• Application for variation or revocation of a condition – application guide and form

Confidentiality

• TEQSA's approach to confidential information

Core Plus model for regulatory assessments

• Policy on Core Plus model for regulatory assessments

eLearning

• eLearning and compliance with the Threshold Standards

ELICOS

• ELICOS direct entry – guide
• TEQSA and the regulation of ELICOS (FAQs)

English waivers

• English waivers - definition

Risk assessment

• How TEQSA rates risk indicators
• Risk ratings: Examples of relevant context and provider controls that TEQSA considers

Fit and proper person declarations

• TEQSA and ESOS fit and proper person requirements declaration form [MS Word, 137 KB] [PDF, 228 KB]

Please note that this fit and proper person declaration can be used for both the TEQSA and ESOS Acts.

• Access our Guide to fitness and propriety under the TEQSA Act

Supporting materials for CRICOS applications

For further information or assistance, please refer to TEQSA’s CRICOS and ELICOS page, or contact the CRICOS team at cricos@teqsa.gov.au.

TEQSA's public disclosure policy

This document outlines our approach to public statements about regulatory actions and issues. 

• TEQSA's public disclosure policy

The self-assurance report is an opportunity for you to articulate and evidence the effectiveness of your systems of self-assurance as they relate to your operational context and the course accreditation application, thereby demonstrating how you have assured yourself of compliance with the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (Threshold Standards).

In preparing your self-assurance report, TEQSA highly recommends demonstrating how your institute manages key sector risks in the following areas:

Corporate governance	TEQSA expects proposed providers will review its guidance on corporate governance.
Academic governance	TEQSA expects proposed providers will review its guidance on academic governance and engage with the higher education good practice hub.    Academic governance should consider threats to academic integrity including from contract cheating.
Financial viability and sustainability	TEQSA expects proposed providers review the guidance on financial assessment.
Institutional quality assurance	TEQSA expects proposed providers review its guidance on: academic quality assurance institutional quality assurance research and research training delivery with other parties scholarship.
Student wellbeing and safety	TEQSA expects proposed providers will review its guidance on: wellbeing and safety welfare and wellbeing grievance and complaint handling diversity and equity preventing and responding to sexual assault and sexual harassment.
Cyber security and foreign interference	TEQSA expects proposed providers review the Australian Signals Directorate’s Strategies to mitigate cyber security incidents and TEQSA’s Compliance in focus: Cyber security.
Course accreditation	Refer to the key considerations for providers preparing a self-assurance report for course accreditation.

In preparing your self-assurance report you are also expected to self-identify and address any significant risks or opportunities for improvement specific to your individual circumstances. These may include, but not be limited to risks associated with:

• emerging challenges across the higher education sector and within your operational context
• issues identified by other government and regulatory bodies (ASQA, the Department of Home Affairs, etc), or professional accreditation bodies.

Further information

For further information when preparing your application for registration, please contact TEQSA’s Initial Registration team at new.registration.enquiries@teqsa.gov.au.

Applicants should carefully consider whether they meet the following fundamental requirements for registration before applying to become a higher education provider. Applicants should consult with TEQSA before applying to ensure they understand the evidence they will need to submit.

This guidance is intended to be used by applicants to ensure that some of the major shortcomings that commonly arise in applications for registration have been addressed. It is not a summary or restatement of all relevant criteria, standards or matters that we will consider in assessing an application for registration.

To apply for registration as an Australian higher education provider, applicants must be:

• a constitutional corporation, or
• a corporation established by (or under) a law of the Commonwealth or Territory, or
• a person who conducts activities in a Territory.

Before applying for registration as a higher education provider, applicants should ensure that they are able to demonstrate that:

1. They are an entity listed under the definition of regulated entity in Section 5 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act).
2. They have a clearly articulated higher education purpose that includes a commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom – Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework 2021), Standard B1.1.1.
3. They have a formally constituted and accountable governing body, which includes independent members that exercise competent governance oversight of all of its proposed higher education operations in or from Australia – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 6.1.1.
4. Members of its governing body are fit and proper persons – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 6.1.2.
5. Members of its governing body meet the Australian residency requirements (if any) of the instrument under which the applicant is established or incorporated, or otherwise there are at least two members of the governing body who are residents of Australia – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 6.1.2.
6. Their proposed staffing for each course of study is sufficient to meet the educational, academic support and administrative needs of students undertaking the course. This includes oversight by academic leaders with sufficient experience to develop a higher education learning environment – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 3.2.1.
7. They can operate effectively and sustainably and in compliance with all relevant legislative requirements and their constitution or equivalent – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 6.2.1.
8. Their application for registration is in the approved form, accompanied by any information, documents and assistance requested (including a concurrent application for accreditation of at least one higher education course and all other information specified in the relevant application guide) as well as the relevant fee – Section 18(3) of the TEQSA Act.