A new TEQSA report has found most Australian higher education providers have taken steps to improve the transparency of admissions information for prospective students.

TEQSA evaluated admissions information at 28 universities and 36 independent higher education providers that offer courses to Australian domestic students.

Overall, TEQSA found that there have been improvements in the transparency of admissions information, with 92 per cent of sampled providers having implemented changes to their admissions information.

The improvements follow recommendations from the Higher Education Standards Panel and agreement by the sector-wide Implementation Working Group that aim to provide prospective domestic undergraduate students with easily accessible, high-quality admissions information that allows them to compare both providers and courses to make informed choices.

TEQSA also identified several areas for further improvement within the sector. These include:

• Providers needing to ensure that ATAR profiles are up-to-date.
• The types of ATAR adjustment factors should be detailed more clearly and consistently.
• Greater quality, consistency, and clarity of admissions information for the four applicant groups (Higher Education Study, Vocational Education and Training, Recent Secondary Education, and Work Life Experience).
• The availability of course level admissions information on credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and advanced credit can be improved.

TEQSA Chief Executive Officer Alistair Maclean welcomed the sector’s work to improve the transparency of admissions information, but noted it was essential providers continued to focus on further improvements.

“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the need for clear and transparent information, with the increased demand from domestic school leavers for tertiary education and providers offering different entry options for students whose final year of schooling has been disrupted,” Mr Maclean said. 

“It is essential that transparent admissions information is made available for prospective students, and TEQSA encourages higher education institutions to make use of resources such as the Good Practice Note and checklist for providers available on our website.”

The Improving the transparency of higher education admissions report was developed by TEQSA as part of the sector-led Admissions Transparency Implementation Working Group (IWG)’s final implementation plan.

The report is based on a summative evaluation of admission transparency actions by providers against the Higher Education Panel’s admissions transparency recommendations and the IWG’s Phase Two Common Terminology and Information Sets.

TEQSA reported the results to the Minister for Education and presented the report at the Higher Education Standards Panel meeting in September 2020.

Further information

• Improving the transparency of higher education admissions report
• Admissions transparency

Every year, the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI) holds an International Day of Action against Contract Cheating (IDoA). 

This year’s IDoA is on Wednesday 21 October 2020 and ICAI is hosting Twenty in 20 – Sharing and Conversation about Contract Cheating, a series of 20 live feed events from across the globe over 20 hours involving students, institutions, higher education institutions, and quality assurance agencies.

TEQSA is delighted to be participating in this international event by hosting a panel discussion on: 

A Window of Opportunity: COVID and Contract Cheating – an Australian approach

When: Wednesday 21 October at 2.00pm (Melbourne time)

Panellists:

Rosemary Marcon, Manager, Executive Office, TEQSA
Greg Simmons, Director, Policy and Analysis Group, TEQSA
Karen Treloar, Director, Engagement Group, TEQSA

• Please register online

TEQSA recently finalised its compliance assessment of Murdoch University (Murdoch) under section 59 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act). 

The compliance assessment focused on Murdoch’s international student admissions and relevant English language proficiency requirements with reference to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards).

TEQSA found that Murdoch had been at risk of non-compliance due to an inconsistent application of its own Admissions practices, which resulted in the admission of some international students (in 2018) who were ill-equipped to progress through their course of study. 

TEQSA is satisfied that Murdoch responded appropriately in addressing these issues, having:

• identified the causal and contributing factors that resulted in the admission of this cohort in 2018, and having implemented comprehensive changes to mitigate future risks
• subsequently demonstrated continuous improvement in relation to its international admissions practices in 2019 and 2020
• ensured the international students impacted were adequately supported.

The finalisation of this compliance assessment is distinct from a renewal of registration application. 

TEQSA has made this statement in light of the general public interest in the matters covered by the assessment. This disclosure is made under s196 of the TEQSA Act.

The Minister for Education the Hon. Dan Tehan MP has announced the appointment of Alistair Maclean as TEQSA’s new CEO.

Mr Maclean brings extensive public and private sector leadership experience to TEQSA, as well as strong skills in international engagement and negotiations developed during his 25 years working as a diplomat and advisor.

Prior to his appointment at TEQSA, Mr Maclean was the inaugural CEO of Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) from 2013-20, where he was responsible for the management of IBAC’s activities and functions. From 2008-13, he was General Manager (External Affairs) with PanAust Ltd, an ASX-listed gold and copper producer.

Mr Maclean was previously an Australian diplomat, serving as Ambassador to Laos from 2004-07, with prior postings to Washington DC and Bangkok. In between, he fulfilled various roles in Canberra, including as a senior advisor to the Prime Minister.

Mr Maclean will commence with TEQSA on 1 September 2020.

TEQSA has published a new resource to support higher education quality assurance agencies around the world to promote, develop and sustain cultures of academic integrity.

TEQSA led the development of the new Toolkit to support quality assurance agencies to address academic integrity and contract cheating, which was funded by a grant from the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).

TEQSA Chief Commissioner and Acting CEO Professor Nick Saunders said ensuring academic integrity was a shared focus among global higher education quality assurance agencies and TEQSA was proud to have made this contribution.

“The reputation of higher education globally depends on students, institutions, business and governments having confidence that academic integrity is being upheld,” Professor Saunders said.

“This new resource, developed by TEQSA with support from the Quality Beyond Boundaries Group of quality assurance agencies, will assist higher education quality assurance agencies around the world in developing and sustaining cultures of academic integrity within their respective jurisdictions and will support them to stamp out contract cheating.”

“At a time when there has been considerable disruption to higher education worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that academic standards continue to be supported and upheld, and I believe this new resource will be a welcome tool for many agencies.”

The new toolkit includes good practice advice around a range of topics including academic integrity frameworks, contract cheating and supporting and sustaining cultures of academic integrity.

• View the toolkit

Media enquiries 

Bryan Allchin, Assistant Director, Communications: comms@teqsa.gov.au, 0437 143 012

TEQSA has welcomed Australian Government funding to strengthen the agency’s ability to identify and protect against risks to the integrity of the nation’s higher education sector.

Announced earlier today by the Minister for Education, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, the Australian Government will provide $3.9 million per year to maintain the new Higher Education Integrity Unit within TEQSA to identify and analyse emerging risks and take pre-emptive action to assist the sector to address these threats.

‘This welcome investment will enable TEQSA to be more proactive in responding to risks to the integrity of Australia’s higher education sector, supporting the protection of student interests and the reputation of the sector,’ said TEQSA Chief Commissioner and Acting CEO Professor Nick Saunders.

‘The Higher Education Integrity Unit will continue TEQSA’s partnership approach, collaborating with higher education providers and other stakeholders to deliver a range of activities including data and intelligence analysis, provision of educational resources and establishing communities of practice.’

Areas of focus for the Higher Education Integrity Unit will change as circumstances require (following consultation with the sector, government and other stakeholders), but will include admission standards and information, academic and research governance integrity, student safety, foreign interference, cyber security, fraud and corruption. The integrity unit’s activities will not be subject to cost recovery.

The funding will also support TEQSA’s responsibilities under the Prohibiting Academic Cheating Services Bill which is currently before Parliament.

• TEQSA’s approach to implementation of the Higher Education Integrity Unit

Media enquiries 

Bryan Allchin, Assistant Director, Communications: comms@teqsa.gov.au, 0437 143 012

TEQSA has released a new online resource to assist Australian higher education providers in preventing and responding to sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH).

The Good Practice Note: Preventing and responding to sexual assault and sexual harassment in the Australian higher education sector features examples and practical advice for providers to support further improvements in policies, procedures and practices.

“The sector has been working to improve its ability to prevent and respond to sexual assault and sexual harassment for several years. It is essential that this work continue, even during the disruption caused by COVID-19, to ensure student interests are protected,” said TEQSA Chief Commissioner and Acting CEO Professor Nick Saunders.

“This Good Practice Note aims to further support Australian higher education providers to adopt policies and practices to prevent and respond to sexual assault and sexual harassment, consistent with TEQSA’s fundamental purpose to safeguard student interests and the reputation of Australia’s higher education sector,” he said.

The Good Practice Note was developed following extensive consultation and input from across the sector.

TEQSA acknowledges and thanks all students, experts, providers and their staff, as well as other stakeholders who have made a contribution to its development.

• View the Good Practice Note

Media enquiries 

Bryan Allchin, Assistant Director, Communications: comms@teqsa.gov.au, 0437 143 012

TEQSA has announced the appointment of Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake AO as a Commissioner. The appointment, made by the Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Education, is for a period of five years.

TEQSA Chief Commissioner Professor Nick Saunders, in welcoming Professor Coaldrake’s appointment, said “Professor Coaldrake brings a wealth of experience to TEQSA, drawn from his extensive national and international higher education service and leadership; and his comprehensive understanding of Australia’s higher education sector, quality assurance and regulatory standards. His expertise will support the agency in protecting students and the reputation of the Australian higher education sector as we continue to work through the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Professor Coaldrake has a distinguished record in higher education, having completed his almost 15-year term as Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in December 2017. A dual Fulbright scholar, he is also a former chair of both Universities Australia and the governing board of the OECD’s then higher education group IMHE.  

In October 2018 Professor Coaldrake was appointed by the Education Minister, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, to conduct a review into the Higher Education Provider Category Standards. In 2018 he also undertook two separate reviews for the Queensland government: one dealing with the present and future Queensland public sector workforce, and the other of the future of vocational education, training and skilling in central-western Queensland.

Professor Coaldrake is currently the Chair of the Board of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust, and a Board Member of the Queensland Community Foundation. Upon accepting his appointment as a Commissioner of TEQSA, Professor Coaldrake is stepping down from two other roles, as Chair of Jobs Queensland and as an external Council member of the University of Newcastle.  

Professor Coaldrake will join existing TEQSA Commissioners Professor Nick Saunders AO, Emeritus Professor Joan Cooper and Emeritus Professor Cliff Walsh.

Along with responsibility for TEQSA’s regulatory decisions, the Commissioners, as TEQSA’s Accountable Authority, are also responsible for setting the strategic directions of the agency, governance, financial management, performance reporting and its regulatory approach.

Media enquiries 

Bryan Allchin, Assistant Director, Communications: comms@teqsa.gov.au, 0437 143 012