To deliver a higher education course of study, registered higher education providers without self-accrediting authority must apply to have the course accredited by TEQSA.

If TEQSA approves an application to accredit a course of study, we will determine the accreditation period up to a maximum of seven years.

Applications must be submitted using the approved online form through the Provider Portal, include all information requested, and be accompanied by the applicable fee. See more information on our fees page.

Applications will only be considered received by TEQSA once the approved application form, requested evidence and preliminary assessment fee payment have been received.

Application guide for course accreditation

It is essential that providers read the application guide for course accreditation before submitting an application. The application guide explains the application process, sets out the required evidence that will need to be submitted with each application, and provides guidance in preparing the application.

• Access the application guide

Key considerations for providers preparing a self-assurance report (course accreditation for existing providers)

All providers are required to prepare and submit a self-assurance report as part of a course accreditation application. This report should demonstrate the effectiveness of a provider’s self-assurance processes in monitoring, managing and mitigating risks to the course as an integral part of their day-to-day operations.

Guidance on what TEQSA recommends applicants consider in preparing the report is available on our website.

• Key considerations for providers preparing a self-assurance report (course accreditation for existing providers)

External reviews

TEQSA strongly encourages providers to seek review of a proposed course of study by a suitably qualified independent external reviewer. External reviews can be an effective way for providers to validate course design, ensuring that course content and learning outcomes are consistent with the level and field of education, and to identify and implement improvements.

The engagement of an independent external reviewer should be viewed primarily as an opportunity to contribute to self-assurance practices and efforts at continuous improvement, rather than a method to meet TEQSA or other requirements. 

Where providers have sought an independent external review of a proposed course of study, copies of the reviewer’s reports and evidence of the provider’s response should be submitted with the application.

• Access the sector update: Engaging an independent expert to undertake a review

Further information

For more information or assistance with preparing a course accreditation application, please contact the Courses team at assessments@teqsa.gov.au.

NOTE: The above guidance applies to courses of study that lead to a higher education qualification recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Providers seeking to add a ELICOS or Foundation Program to CRICOS should refer to our CRICOS page.

Registered higher education providers without self-accrediting authority must apply to TEQSA to renew the accreditation of a higher education course of study. This application must be submitted at least 180 days before accreditation is due to expire, unless TEQSA has agreed to a shorter time frame. Providers hoping for a shorter time frame must contact us as soon as possible.

If TEQSA approves an application to renew the accreditation of a course of study, we will determine the accreditation period up to a maximum of seven years.

Applications must be submitted using the approved online application form through the Provider Portal, include all information requested, and be accompanied by the applicable fee. See more information on our fees page.

Applications will only be considered received by TEQSA once both the approved application form and fee payment have been received

Please note there is a separate application form available in the provider portal for providers seeking renewal of an Undergraduate Certificate course.

Once an application has been submitted, the course accreditation continues until TEQSA has made a decision on the application.

Application guide for renewal of accreditation

It is essential that providers read the application guide for renewal of accreditation before submitting an application. The application guide explains the application process, sets out the required evidence that will need to be submitted with each application, and provides guidance in preparing the application.

• Access the application guide

Key considerations for providers preparing a self-assurance report (renewal of accreditation)

All providers are required to prepare and submit a self-assurance report as part of a renewal of accreditation application. This report should demonstrate the effectiveness of a provider’s self-assurance processes in monitoring, managing and mitigating risks to the course as an integral part of their day-to-day operations.

Guidance on what TEQSA recommends providers consider in preparing the report is available on our website.

• Key considerations for providers preparing a self-assurance report (renewal of accreditation)

External reviews

TEQSA strongly encourages providers to consider engaging a suitably qualified independent external reviewer in support of course review and improvement processes. Independent external reviews can be an effective way for providers to check the effectiveness of their quality assurance processes and ensure that accredited courses remain current and aligned with developments in the field of education.

The engagement of an independent external reviewer should be viewed primarily as an opportunity to contribute to self-assurance practices and continuous improvement of the course and related institutional policies, rather than a method to meet TEQSA or other requirements.

Where providers have sought an independent external review of the course of study, copies of the reviewer’s reports and evidence of the provider’s response should be submitted with the application.

• Access the sector update: Engaging an independent expert to undertake a review

Multiple applications

Providers are encouraged to apply for renewal of course accreditation at the same time as renewal of registration, and where applicable, other regulatory processes such as CRICOS re-registration. The ability to submit concurrent applications depends on a range of factors, including accreditation and registration periods.

Providers are strongly encouraged to contact us to discuss the best way of packaging applications prior to submission.

Further information

For more information or assistance with preparing an application to renew course accreditation, please contact the Courses team at assessments@teqsa.gov.au.

NOTE: the above guidance applies to the renewal of accreditation of courses of study that lead to a higher education qualification recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Providers seeking to renew an existing ELICOS course or Foundation Program should refer to our CRICOS page.
 

What are teach out arrangements?

Teach out occurs where a decision is taken to phase out a course of study that still has students enrolled. The course continues to be accredited but no new students can be enrolled, and arrangements are in place to ensure that all existing students can either complete the course of study, or transition to a mutually agreed course at no disadvantage.

The Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework) requires providers to have effective teach out or course transition plans in place as teach out can be initiated by either TEQSA or the provider. Providers cannot offer an unaccredited course of study.

TEQSA initiated teach out

A course may enter teach out when TEQSA decides:

• not to renew accreditation of a course while students are currently enrolled
• not to accredit a course that is intended to replace an existing accredited course that a provider has not sought to reaccredit
• to cancel the accreditation of a course while students are currently enrolled.

In these scenarios, TEQSA will follow a risk-based approach and consider the interests of the enrolled students in determining the date on which the course accreditation will end.

Provider initiated teach out

Providers may initiate teach out when:

• they do not intend to continue delivering a course of study, however, there will be students enrolled past the current accreditation expiry date that will either complete or transition out during a teach out period. In this scenario, the provider must apply to TEQSA to renew the course of study, noting that it is being taught out.
• they do not intend to renew the accreditation of a course of study, and there will be no students enrolled at the current accreditation expiry date as they will have completed or transitioned out. In this scenario, the provider must submit a material change notification to advise of the decision to let the course expire.

Planned teach out arrangements may include transitioning students into a new course that is intended to replace the existing accredited course (subject to a decision by TEQSA to accredit the new course).

Accreditation for courses in teach out mode

A course that is due to expire, but is still in teach out mode, is required to be accredited until all students have either completed or transitioned out.

Registered higher education providers without self-accrediting authority must apply to TEQSA to seek renewal of accreditation for the course being taught out.

Because of the special circumstances that apply to courses in teach out, we have introduced a separate accreditation renewal process and a reduced fee. Providers may apply using this process where the period of accreditation to facilitate course teach out does not exceed two years.

Where a longer period of accreditation is required, providers may apply to renew accreditation of the course using the standard renewal of accreditation process.

Applications must be submitted at least 180 days before accreditation is due to expire, unless TEQSA has agreed to a shorter time frame. Providers hoping for a shorter time frame must contact us as soon as possible.

Application guide for renewal of accreditation in teach out

It is essential that providers read the application guide for renewal of accreditation in teach out before submitting an application. The application guide explains the application process, sets out the required evidence that will need to be submitted with each application, and provides guidance in preparing the application.

• Access the application guide

Key considerations for providers in preparing a self-assurance report (renewal of accreditation in teach out)

All providers are required to prepare and submit a self-assurance report as part of a renewal of accreditation in teach out application. This report should demonstrate the effectiveness of a provider’s self-assurance processes in monitoring, managing and mitigating risks to the course during teach out.

Guidance on what TEQSA recommends providers consider in preparing the report is available on our website.

• Key considerations for providers preparing a self-assurance report (renewal of accreditation in teach out)

Maintenance of standards

Courses delivered in teach out mode are still required to meet the requirements of the HES Framework. The teach out re-accreditation process requires providers to demonstrate how they have assured themselves that course resourcing, course outcomes and overall service and support to students will not be adversely impacted by the decision to teach out the course.

Expiring a course

If a course is in teach out, but no students will be enrolled beyond the current accreditation expiry date, an application will not be required to renew the course in teach out and the accreditation of the course will expire at that time.

In this case, providers will be required to submit a material change notification to materialchanges@teqsa.gov.au to advise TEQSA of the decision to let the course expire. Material change notifications should be accompanied by the following:

• a teach out plan
• evidence that enrolments have ceased for the course and the course listing on the provider’s website has been updated or removed to reflect this
• evidence that students enrolled in the course were notified of the decision to cease offering the course and there was no adverse impact to those students
• confirmed meeting minutes of the academic governing body demonstrating approval to discontinue the course after due consideration of all matters, including the rationale and impact and risks to students
• confirmation that the course can be expired from the National Register.

Further information about material change notifications can be found on the TEQSA website.

Notification requirements

Providers should also submit a notification to TEQSA via materialchanges@teqsa.gov.au:

• if the teach out process has not proceeded as planned and there is an adverse impact on students. In this scenario TEQSA will expect to see evidence of the actions being taken by the provider to mitigate any risks to students
• to confirm that all students have either successfully graduated from the course or transitioned to a comparable course, and that the course can be expired from the National Register.

National Register

Where a provider has advised TEQSA that they do not intend to renew the accreditation of a course of study, or the renewal of accreditation has been approved in teach out mode, the National Register entry for the course will include a comment stating ‘Course accredited to [Effective To Date] to facilitate teach out. No further enrolment of students will be permitted.’

Any accreditation of a course in teach out mode may be subject to a condition regarding the enrolment of new students.

Further information

For more information or assistance with preparing an application to renew course accreditation in teach out, please contact the Courses team at assessments@teqsa.gov.au.
 

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