Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of ICHM Pty Ltd

TEQSA has determined, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of the ICHM Pty Ltd as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of seven years to 23 January 2021 in the provider category of Higher Education Provider

Background to Decision

The ICHM Pty Ltd 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 has assessed the application submitted by the ICHM Pty Ltd against the Threshold Standards. The scope of the assessment included its Australian site and its site in the Philippines. The ICHM Pty Ltd has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Le Cordon Bleu Australia Pty. Limited

TEQSA has determined, under Section 36(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), that registration of Le Cordon Bleu Australia Pty. Limited (LCBA) as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of two years to 17 July 2016 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 LCBA as a higher education provider.

LCBA provide to TEQSA as part of its application to renew registration:

Condition 1:

A report on the outcomes of the independent review of the existing corporate and academic governance structure, which includes LCBA's response to the findings of the review, approved by the Corporate Board, and evidence of the implementation of the review recommendations. The report must provide TEQSA with details of how the LCBA reviewed corporate and academic governance arrangements meet the requirements of Provider Registration Standards (PRS) Sections 1 and 3, including:

1. a clearly articulated higher education purpose that includes a commitment to free intellectual inquiry;
2. evidence that the Corporate Board has ultimate oversight and responsibility for all of LCBA's higher education operations, and is the body to which management is accountable including reporting to the Corporate Board from responsible committees. This should demonstrate the Corporate Board's consideration of responsible committees' key reports, accurate data, including minutes of meetings documenting accurate record keeping of actions taken and outcomes achieved;
3. evidence that the Corporate Board has, or has access to, higher education management and academic governance expertise either through membership or an external advisor or advisors. Evidence is to demonstrate that this expertise is available to the Corporate Board on a regular basis and that the expertise is appropriate to the higher education operations of LCBA; and
4. evidence that all undergraduate courses have been mapped against the AQF requirements at the course and subject levels and are linked to course learning outcomes and graduate attributes, including rationale, objectives, structure, learning outcomes, assessment approaches and compulsory requirements.

Condition 2:

Evidence that the LCBA Academic Board:

1. has implemented effective systems to protect academic quality and integrity to meet the requirements of PRS 4;
2. has fully developed and implemented its plan to undertake effective benchmarking of academic standards against similar accredited courses offered by other higher education providers; and
3. ensures quality assurance is implemented effectively to drive improvement of LCBA's higher education operations through systematic monitoring, review and improvement of LCBA's higher education operations, including the collection and analysis of relevant data.

Condition 3:

The LCBA Academic Board review of the mechanisms to manage and quality assure all aspects of third party delivery arrangements for each of the courses accredited by LCBA. The review report is to demonstrate the meeting of the requirements of PRS 4.5 outlining the review objectives, implementation strategies, key performance measures and outcomes, to centrally and effectively manage and quality assure all aspects of the third party delivery arrangements.

1. Evidence of the implementation of a workforce plan incorporating development and implementation of an overarching scholarship policy and strategy that ensures LCBA's third party partners' staff are active in scholarship that informs their teaching; and
2. An audit of staff qualifications and experience in relation to each course at each delivery partner and site, demonstrating that third party partners have sufficient and appropriately qualified personnel to provide academic leadership, and teaching and learning that engages with advanced knowledge and inquiry in the delivery of LCBA higher education courses.

Condition 4:

Evidence that LCBA collects and monitors attrition and completion rates across delivery partners, and annual reporting to and monitoring by the Academic Board via the respective partner Academic Committees and Joint Committee/Supervisory Councils to demonstrate improvement in attrition and completion rates through comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the student performance data.

Background to Decision

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

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

• The broad issues which relate to the LCBA registration include:

  a) corporate and academic governance

  b) management and quality assurance of third party arrangements to maintain academic quality and integrity in the provider's higher education operations

  c) qualifications of academic staff and leadership personnel.

TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect LCBA capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of The University of Adelaide

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of The University of Adelaide for a period of seven years to 19 August 2022 in the provider category of Australian University.

Main reasons for decision

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

The University of Adelaide has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of University College London and self-accrediting authority

TEQSA has determined, under subsection 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of University College London as a higher education provider be renewed for a period of seven years to 19 June 2021 in the provider category of 'Overseas University'.

TEQSA has also determined, under subsection 41(1) of the TEQSA Act, that University College London is authorised to self-accredit its courses of study.

Background to Decision

University College London submitted an application for renewal of registration in the category of 'Overseas University' 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.

University College London submitted an application for self-accrediting authority under Section 41 of the TEQSA Act. Subsection 41(1) of the TEQSA Act enables TEQSA to authorise a registered provider to self-accredit one or more courses of study.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the renewal of registration process, TEQSA has assessed the application submitted by University College London against the Threshold Standards.

University College London has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards and has demonstrated compliance with the criteria for self-accrediting authority. Specifically, the decision reflects the strength of University College London's quality assurance framework in Australia which is an integrated part of the University's overall framework for academic quality.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of University of South Australia

TEQSA has renewed the registration as a higher education provider, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, of the University of South Australia for a period of seven years to 28 September 2023 in the provider category of 'Australian University.'

Main reasons for decision

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

University of South Australia has demonstrated to TEQSA that it continues to meet the Threshold Standards and that it:

• shows sound corporate and academic governance and regularly monitors potential risks to its higher education operations
• has effective policies and practices to maintain academic standards
• demonstrates a commitment to internal and external feedback to strategic planning through the massively open online consultation process, 'unijam', and the University's 'We're Listening' website
• has effective academic quality assurance framework, including for offshore programs, to establish and maintain academic quality and integrity
• demonstrated that its higher education students have access to effective grievance processes.

Withdrawal of registration

Report on the application to withdraw registration by the Law Society of South Australia

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 the Law Society of South Australia to withdraw its registration as a Higher Education Provider, with effect from 30 June 2015.

Background to Decision

The Law Society of South Australia 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 Law Society of South Australia to be withdrawn. The main reasons for the withdrawal relate to an agreement entered into with the University of Adelaide to jointly deliver the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from 1 January 2013. Under the terms of the joint delivery agreement, the testamur is awarded by the University of Adelaide under the authority of The University of Adelaide Act 1971 (SA). The delegate was satisfied there were appropriate transition arrangements in place during the teach-out period. All students eligible to complete the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice have either completed, or resolved not to complete the award. The delegate was satisfied there are appropriate arrangements for the retention of student records and replacement certification.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies

On 14 May 2015 TEQSA decided, under subsection 36(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to reject the application by Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies for renewal of registration as a higher education provider.

TEQSA imposed, under subsection 32 (1) of the TEQSA Act, the following condition on the registration of WCIS, effective from the date of notification of this decision:

Condition 1:

Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies is not to offer any student a place in any of its higher education courses, or enrol or commence any new students in its higher education courses.

On 24 June 2015, TEQSA decided, under section 37A of the TEQSA Act, to extend the registration period of Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies until 31 December 2015.

Background to Decision

Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies submitted an application for renewal of registration as a higher education provider under Section 35 of the TEQSA Act. Section 36 of the TEQSA Act enables TEQSA to renew a provider's registration for a period not exceeding seven years if TEQSA is satisfied that the provider continues to meet the Threshold Standards.

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA made its decision on 14 May 2015 on the basis that it was not satisfied that Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies continues to meet the Threshold Standards. Specifically, TEQSA was not satisfied that Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies:

• satisfies the requirements of the Provider Category Standards for the Higher Education Provider Category;
• shows sound corporate and academic governance of its higher education operations in accordance with the requirements of the standards within section 3 of the Provider Registration Standards;
• higher education operations are well-managed in accordance with the requirements of the standards within section 5 of the Provider Registration Standards.

TEQSA made its decision on 24 June following discussions with Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies and the on the basis that:

• the extension of the registration period would be in the interests of affected students; and
• Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies advised that if an extension was granted it would not apply to TEQSA for renewal of registration during the period of the extension or enroll students in any of its courses.

Renewal of registration and renewal of accreditation

Report on renewal of registration of Australian Guild of Music Education Inc and the renewal of accreditation of the Bachelor of Music

TEQSA has agreed to orders made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under which the registration of Australian Guild of Music Education Inc (AGME) as a higher education provider was renewed for a period of two years to 10 June 2018 under subsection 36(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act) in the provider category of higher education provider.

These orders also involve the renewal of the accreditation of AGME's Bachelor of Music for the same period under subsection 56(1) of the TEQSA Act, and the imposition of five conditions on the registration of the AGME as a higher education provider under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act:

Condition 1:

By 10 October 2016, and every four months thereafter until the submission of AGME's next renewal of registration application, AGME must provide TEQSA with a report, approved by AGME's Committee of Management, describing AGME's progress against its Distance Learning Plan

Condition 2:

AGME must develop, and provide to TEQSA no later than 10 October 2016, a procedure to systematically collect, review, benchmark and act on student performance data. That procedure must provide for AGME to collect and report upon student attrition, student progress, course completions and grade distributions data, and to analyse that data by reference to:

1. entry path (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway)
2. credit awarded (comparing students admitted with no credit awarded with students admitted with credit for up to a third of the course and between a third and two thirds of the course)
3. study load (comparing students who take less than a full-time study load, exactly a full-time study load and greater than a full-time study load, where full-time study load is equal to 120 credit points in a calendar year)
4. study mode (comparing students who undertake a component of their course by distance with those who study entirely face-to-face) and
5. student achievement in similar courses at other higher education providers.

Condition 3:

AGME must use the analysis required by Condition 2 to develop a strategy to address the underlying causes of student attrition or failure rates in AGME's higher education course. This strategy must be approved by AGME's governing bodies and provided to TEQSA in its next renewal of registration application, together with evidence of a regular and systematic review cycle which uses an analysis of the most recent available data to inform the ongoing revision of the strategy and its effectiveness.

Condition 4:

AGME must:

1. undertake the external review and benchmarking activities identified in its Course Review and Quality Assurance Policy
2. ensure that these activities inform AGME's ongoing reviews of its higher education operations, and
3. provide TEQSA with a report, describing those activities and how those activities have informed AGME's reviews of its operations, in its next renewal of registration application.

Condition 5:

AGME's next renewal of registration application must include a document which describes the basis on which AGME's Academic Board is satisfied that each member of AGME's higher education teaching or leadership staff has qualifications or experience consistent with the requirements of the Threshold Standards and with AGME's own recruitment policy.

Main Reasons for Decision

After reviewing the material submitted by AGME, TEQSA was satisfied that AGME meets the Threshold Standards. However TEQSA considered that there remained a number of risks related to AGME's capacity to meet the Threshold Standards in the future. On this basis, TEQSA considered that the period of registration and accreditation and the conditions to be applied to AGME's registration are consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act.

• The broad issues led TEQSA to this view include:

  a) Management of AGME's distance education operations

  b) Monitoring and acting on comparative student performance data

  c) The use of benchmarking to quality assure its course of study and higher education operations

  d) The number, qualifications, experience and expertise of academic staff who teach or tutor the course of study and the extent to which these are appropriate to the course of study and mode of delivery.

Addendum to Public Report 5 Sep 2013 - Registration Condition Revoked

TEQSA has determined, under Section 36(1) of the TEQSA Act, that registration of Oases Community Learning Limited as a higher education provider is renewed until 31 December 2016 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

Condition imposed 5 September 2013

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed one condition on the registration of Oases Community Learning Limited as a higher education provider.

Condition 1:

a) Oases Community Learning Limited provides to TEQSA, within 90 days of the notification of this decision, evidence that it has a cash reserve that will:

i) provide an underpinning for the sustainability of its higher education operation; and

ii) ensure funds are available to repay any portion of tuition fees paid by a student for a unit of study in an accredited course ('the course of study') that the student commences but is not able to complete as a result of the provider being unable, for any reason, to deliver the course of study.

b) Oases Community Learning Limited maintains, at all times, the level of cash reserves identified in part (a) throughout the period of registration and if exceptional circumstances dictate the need to draw on funds that affects this minimum level, Oases Community Learning Limited must notify TEQSA through a Material Change Notification prior to this occurring.

Condition revoked

On 16 January 2014 TEQSA revoked Condition 1a) on the basis that OCL had provided evidence that it has the necessary cash reserves in place to satisfy this sub-condition.