Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd for a period of four years to 19 January 2021 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed four conditions on the registration of Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd as a higher education provider.

Condition 1:

By 31 March 2017, Collarts must provide TEQSA with the 'Formal Scholarship Policy', the 'Scholarship and Research Portfolio' and a Workforce Plan. The Workforce Plan must demonstrate:

a) the maintenance of an appropriate level of academic leadership for each course of study and academic field

b) that all teaching staff are qualified to at least one AQF qualification level higher than the course of study being taught by them or have equivalent professional experience relevant to the units they are teaching, and that the AQF+1 Qualification Mapping Policy is consistently applied

c) academic staff will be active in a range of relevant types of scholarship that informs their teaching

Condition 2:

By 30 June 2017, Collarts must provide TEQSA with a plan to ensure that facilities and infrastructure, including staff office space, student meeting areas and library facilities, and IT infrastructure are appropriate. Collarts must also provide a report, by 31 March 2018 and each subsequent year until further notice, on the implementation of the facilities and infrastructure plan.

Condition 3:

In the event of a breach of the loan agreement between Australian College of the Arts International Pty Ltd and National Australian Bank that gives rise to action by National Australia Bank, Collarts must notify TEQSA within 2 business day of any financial impact on the college.

Condition 4:

By 31 March 2017, and each year thereafter, Collarts must provide reports on:

• student performance data including attrition, progression and completion rates (this report must include Collarts' own analysis of the causes and sources of attrition and plans to address them
• the implementation of the workforce plan
• scholarship activities carried out by academic staff through the Annual Scholarship Report and scholarship portfolios

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as Australian College of the Arts Pty is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards.

• The broad issues which relate to the Australian College of the Arts Pty registration include:

  a) The academic leadership and staffing profile, which may not be appropriate to the AQF level of the courses for the attainment of expected student learning outcomes, and for students to receive adequate feedback on their assessed work from appropriately qualified academic staff.

  b) The relatively low level of scholarship, in particular associated with teaching and learning that could denote a risk that staff are not sufficiently knowledgeable in pedagogy that promotes active and critical learning in students.

  c) The high level of attrition in two of the three Bachelor courses

  d) Physical and electronic resources and infrastructure at the main campus, which may not be suitable for both students and teaching staff, particularly if student numbers increase as planned.

Withdrawal of registration

Report on the application to withdraw provider registration by Swinburne College Pty Ltd

A delegate has determined, under subsection 43(2) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to grant the application from Swinburne College Pty Ltd to withdraw its registration as a Higher Education Provider, with effect from 08 September 2015.

Background to Decision

Swinburne College Pty Ltd submitted an application to withdraw its registration as a Higher Education Provider under section 43(1) of the TEQSA Act.

Main Reasons for the Decision

The TEQSA delegate was satisfied that it is appropriate for the registration of the Swinburne College Pty Ltd to be withdrawn as Swinburne College is no longer operating as a commercial entity. The delegate was satisfied that no students were affected by the withdrawal.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of International Institute of Business and Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of International Institute of Business and Technology (Australia) Pty Ltd (IIBT) for a period of three years to 19 March 2018 in the provider category of Higher Education Provider.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed one condition on the registration of IIBT as a higher education provider requiring IIBT to provide TEQSA with:

Condition 1:

1. A plan to enhance scholarship among staff teaching IIBT's higher education course by 19 May 2015.
2. A report on scholarly activities undertaken by IIBT staff in the year prior to the report, with the report to be provided by 28 February of each year after 2015 in which IIBT is registered as a higher education provider.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by IIBT against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to IIBT's registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as IIBT is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards.

The broad issues which relate to the IIBT's registration include:

• Provider Category Standard 1.4, in relation to the scholarly activities undertaken by IIBT staff.

Cancellation of registration

Report on cancellation of registration of Australian Institute of Professional Education Pty Ltd

TEQSA has cancelled the registration of Australian Institute of Professional Education Pty Ltd (AIPE) under section 101 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act) with the decision to take effect on 31 December 2016.

Main Reasons for Decision

In December 2016 TEQSA initiated a compliance assessment of AIPE's higher education operations under section 59 of the TEQSA Act. This assessment found that AIPE had failed to demonstrate it continued to meet a number of Threshold Standards. On 6 October 2016, Morgan Kelly, Ryan Eagle and George Georges of Ferrier Hodgson were appointed Liquidators of Australian Institute of Professional Education Pty Ltd (In Liquidation).

TEQSA considers that the decision to cancel the registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as it is not satisfied that Australian Institute of Professional Education Pty Ltd continues to meet the following Threshold Standards:

• Provider Registration Standard (PRS) 2.1 in relation to AIPE's financial viability and its capacity to sustain quality in its current and planned higher education operations.
• PRS 1.5 and 1.6, in relation to AIPE's provider standing and the history of its operations, and
• PRS 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6 and 3.8 in relation to AIPE's corporate governance.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of TAFE Queensland

TEQSA has determined, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of TAFE Queensland as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of seven years to 21 August 2021 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'. TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed two conditions on the registration of TAFE Queensland as a higher education provider.

Condition 1:

TAFE Queensland to offer the accredited courses only at the South Bank location.

Condition 2:

TAFE Queensland to provide a plan with timeline for the development and authorisation of academic and student-related policies and procedures and academic governance for higher education at TAFE Queensland, and to report on progress against the plan (including submission of the policies and procedures developed) with the first report due by the 31 December 2014 and then annually by 31 December until further notice.

Background to Decision

TAFE Queensland submitted an application for renewal of registration in the category of 'Higher Education Provider' under Section 35 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act). Subsection 36(4) of the TEQSA Act enables TEQSA to renew a provider's registration for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, TEQSA assessed the application submitted by TAFE Queensland against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included only the South Bank site.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to TAFE Queensland's registration is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act. TAFE Queensland was established on 1 July 2013 as an overarching entity to oversee and operate Queensland's further education and training sector. Given the transitional nature of TAFE Queensland's governance framework and higher education operations, the provider is considered to be at risk of non-compliance with a number of Threshold Standards.

• The broad issues which relate to TAFE Queensland's registration include the transitional nature of the provider's:

  a) corporate and academic governance arrangements; and

  b) academic and student-related policies and procedures.

TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards may affect TAFE Queensland's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of TAFE SA

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of TAFE SA for a period of seven years to 17 December 2022 in the provider category of Higher Education Provider.

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by TAFE SA against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites.

TAFE SA has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of The Cairnmillar Institute

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of The Cairnmillar Institute for a period of seven years to 9 June 2023 in the provider category of Higher Education Provider.

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by The Cairnmillar Institute against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included all its Australian sites.

The Cairnmillar Institute has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards.

Renewal of registration

Report on revocation of conditions of registration of Sheridan College Inc

On 13 November 2014 TEQSA made a decision, under Sections 32(2) and 53(2) of the TEQSA Act, to revoke the conditions imposed on the registration of Sheridan College Inc and the accreditation of the following courses (refer public report of 10 June 2014):

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

The decision to revoke the conditions was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the conditions had been met.

Registration

Report on revocation and variation of conditions on registration of National Institute of Organisation Dynamics Australia Ltd (NIODA)

On 22 November 2016 TEQSA, under Section 32(3) of the TEQSA Act, revoked condition 1 and varied condition 2 imposed on the registration of the National Institute of Organisation Dynamics Australia Ltd (refer public report of 13 October 2016).

Condition 1:

Within three months of the notice of decision (and prior to enrolment of any students), NIODA is required to supply TEQSA with evidence demonstrating that it has in place formal arrangements with an external authority for referral of student grievances which have not been resolved within the organisation.

The decision to revoke condition 1 was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the condition had been met.

Condition 2 (varied):

Within twelve months from the notice of decision, NIODA is required to provide details of an effective teach out arrangement with a suitable Australian-registered higher education provider that ensures students enrolled in a course of study at NIODA are not disadvantaged in the event that NIODA does not have capacity to teach out the course.

The decision to vary condition 2 was made on the basis that TEQSA considered a longer period of time was required for NIODA to explore options for students to complete the course with an Australian registered higher education provider.