Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of a higher education course of study in teach out mode offered by Wesley Institute

TEQSA has determined, under Section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to renew accreditation of the following higher education course of study in teach out mode offered by Wesley Institute until 31 December 2015:

• Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary)

Background to Decision

Wesley Institute submitted an application for renewal of accreditation of a course of study in teach out mode under Part 4 of the TEQSA Act. The purpose of this decision is to facilitate the completion of studies by students enrolled in the courses or the transition of students into other equivalent courses offered by the provider or other higher education providers. This also means that no further enrolments are permitted into this course. Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 56(4) enables TEQSA to renew accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA has determined that the higher education course of study submitted by Wesley Institute for accreditation complies with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

Revocation of registration conditions

Report on revocation of conditions imposed on registration of Australian Institute of Business Pty Ltd

On 23 March 2018 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 32 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Conditions 2 and 3 imposed on the registration of Australian Institute of Business Pty Ltd (refer public report of 16 March 2017).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the conditions have been met.

Self-accrediting authority

Report on application by Box Hill Institute for authority to self-accredit nominated courses of study

On 6 December 2018, TEQSA refused to authorise, under section 41 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Box Hill Institute to self-accredit courses of study in the narrow field of education 1001 Performing Arts at Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) levels 6 - 7.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision having regard to the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 ('the Threshold Standards'), in particular:

1. Criterion 2.2c of Part B2 of the Threshold Standards relating to BHI's ability to demonstrate successful delivery of courses of study for which self-accrediting authority is sought; and
2. Criterion 2.2d.ii of Part B2 of the Threshold Standards related to demonstrated successful implementation of evidence-based improvements arising from a cycle of review.

Withdrawal of registration

Report on application to withdraw registration by Raffles College Pty Ltd

On 20 December 2018 TEQSA:

• granted, under subsection 43(2) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the application from Raffles College Pty Ltd to withdraw its registration as a Higher Education Provider, with effect from 31 December 2019.
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, three conditions on the registration of Raffles College Pty Ltd.

Condition 1

From the date on which it is notified of these decisions, Raffles College Pty Ltd must not offer any student a place in any of its higher education courses, or enrol or commence any students in any of its higher education courses.

Condition 2

Raffles College Pty Ltd must arrange for a suitably qualified independent academic to provide advice on the suitability of credit arrangements and study plans of students seeking to undertake study at an alternative provider in order to complete their course. The College must obtain TEQSA's approval of the identity of the academic prior to appointment and that approval must not be unreasonably withheld.

Condition 3

Raffles College Pty Ltd must not confer an award on any student not identified in the report titled Raffles Student Status_111218 provided to TEQSA on 13 December 2019.

Background to Decision

Raffles 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

TEQSA was satisfied that it is appropriate for the registration of Raffles College Pty Ltd to be withdrawn. This decision reflects Raffles College Pty Ltd's choice to withdraw its registration as a higher education provider and the appropriateness of the approach Raffles College Pty Ltd plans to take to mitigate disadvantage to students.

The conditions are essential to ensure that clear mechanisms are in place to allow TEQSA to oversee transition arrangements for each remaining higher education student of Raffles College Pty Ltd.

Revocation of registration conditions

Report on revocation of conditions imposed on registration of Crown Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd

On 21 December 2018 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 32 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Conditions 3 and 6 imposed on the registration of Crown Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd (refer public report of 21 August 2018).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the conditions have been met.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of University of New South Wales

On 20 December 2018, TEQSA renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of University of New South Wales in the category of Australian University, for a period of seven years until 20 December 2025.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that University of New South Wales continues to meet the Provider Registration and Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

TEQSA's assessment considered University of New South Wales' arrangements for delivery at its Australian and overseas sites.

TEQSA found that University of New South Wales has demonstrated:

1. a strong commitment to continuous quality assurance and improvement through targeted audit and performance reviews at all levels of the organisation
2. a strong commitment to increasing participation of under-represented groups of students in higher education activities, evidenced by well-targeted support, appropriate to the varying needs of its students as evidenced in its 2025 Strategy
3. a strong pledge to academic quality and research outcomes
4. a sound commitment to maintaining academic and research integrity at every level of governance, enacted through a comprehensive suite of policies, procedures, educational resources and interventions.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd

On 20 December 2018 TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of the Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of four years until 20 December 2022.
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, six conditions on the registration of the Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd.

Condition 1:

Prior to the beginning of each academic year for the period of registration, the Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd must provide to TEQSA:

1. copies of the policies and procedures that have been reviewed and approved in the previous 12 months by the Board of Directors and the Academic Board
2. a report evaluating the effectiveness of the academic quality assurance framework policies and procedures
3. minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors and the Academic Board which demonstrate:
1. effective corporate and academic governance processes.
2. the extent to which discussion took account of external advice and input.

Condition 2:

By 30 June 2019 and by 30 June of each subsequent year for the period of registration, the Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd must provide TEQSA with a copy of:

1. a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes of observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression, minimum time completion rates and absent failure rates, for each accredited higher education course it offers. The analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression, grade distribution and absent failure rates and include analysis by:
1. entry path (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway)
2. credit awarded
3. referral to, and uptake of, student support including participation in formal study support programs
4. student achievement in similar courses at other higher education providers
2. a review of the diagnostic analysis at paragraph (a) by the Academic Board which includes consideration of the quality of teaching and learning at the Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd in light of the diagnostic analysis required by paragraph (a), as well as any recommendations necessary to address concerns about the quality of teaching and learning
3. evidence that the diagnostic analysis at paragraph (a) and the Academic Board's report at paragraph (b) have been reviewed by the Board, including minutes of a meeting at which the Board provides its response to the analysis, the review and any recommendations in the review.

Condition 3:

At the beginning of each academic year for the period of registration the Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd must provide to TEQSA:

1. a review of the academic workforce of the Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd which includes the number of academic leaders (expressed as FTE) across all fields, resourcing for academic support to students outside of timetabled classes (expressed as FTE), student to staff ratio and mixture of academic staffing (expressed as ongoing / casual) for the previous year
2. the Board of Directors' response to the review of the academic workforce
3. a current organisational chart which indicates vacant positions across the whole of the organisation.

Condition 4:

At the beginning of each academic year for the period of registration the Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd must provide to TEQSA:

1. a report on the scholarly activities undertaken by each academic staff member in the preceding 12 months.
2. the Board of Directors' response to and any actions arising from the report.

Condition 5:

Each application for accreditation of a course of study or renewal of accreditation of a course of study made to TEQSA during the period of registration must be accompanied by a report that sets out:

1. each step in the approval process
2. all staff, external consultants, or industry or academic experts involved in the process
3. all advice received and how the advice was incorporated or why it was not acted upon
4. all stages in the approval process documented by minutes of the relevant committees and boards.

Condition 6:

The Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd must provide to TEQSA

1. by 31 March 2019, revised financial projections reflecting the student to staff ratio (SSR) as per its Strategic and Workforce plans, that is, a SSR of 30:1, and an explanation of how it would be financially viable with that SSR rather than the SSR its financial projections are based on.

On that same date, the Australian Institute of Higher Education Pty Ltd must also provide TEQSA with its financial outcomes for the financial year 2018

2. by 28 September each following year for the period of its registration, financial projections for the following five years as well as preliminary estimates of its financial outcomes for the preceding financial year.