Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd

TEQSA has agreed to orders made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under which:

• the registration of Kent Institute Pty Ltd is renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of four years until 31 March 2022.
• the accreditation of Kent Institute Pty Ltd's Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Accounting courses is renewed, under section 56 of the TEQSA Act for a period of four years until 31 March 2022.

TEQSA has also agreed that six conditions be imposed on the registration of Kent Institute Pty Ltd under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act.

A copy of the conditions is at Attachment 1.

Main reasons for the decision

The conditions have been imposed in light of risks identified in relation to the following aspects of Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd's higher education operations:

1. corporate and academic governance;
2. academic quality assurance in relation to course design, benchmarking, course assessment and moderation, and the use of comparative student performance data; and
3. the adequacy of Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd's staffing arrangements, including its approach to staff scholarship and professional development.

TEQSA's assessment considered Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Attachment 1

Condition 1

Within 6 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, the Applicant must provide evidence to the Respondent of the appointment of a suitably qualified person to the position of Executive Dean, based in Melbourne. The appointment must be made in accordance with the Applicant's position description dated 19 February 2018 and must be made with the agreement of the Respondent as to the identity of the appointee (which agreement is not to be unreasonably withheld).

Condition 2

The Applicant must:

1. within 2 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, provide the Respondent with a plan for the enhancement of scholarly activity of the staff of the applicant. The plan must:
1. be approved by the Applicant's Academic Board;
2. include only activities or memberships which have scholarly or professional relevance to the individual's role with the Applicant;
3. include a framework for collating, and reporting on, information about the scholarly activities of its staff. The framework must include a description of the steps taken by the Applicant to ensure that this information is consistently and appropriately categorised, having regard to the relevant guidance published by the Respondent in relation to scholarship.
4. specify the resources to be made available to support staff scholarly activity and the basis on which the application of these resources is reported;
5. specify the basis on which the policy will be reviewed by the Applicant.
2. no later than 4 weeks prior to the commencement of each of trimester 1 and 2(i.e. excluding trimester 3) in the Applicant's courses, provide the Respondent with a report on its academic staff and the scholarly activities of those staff, which must include:
1. the steps taken to implement the plan at (a), including the scholarly activities undertaken in the previous 6 months by each staff member with academic leadership or teaching responsibilities, and (where relevant)the amount spent by the applicant to support each of those activities; and
2. the academic leadership and teaching responsibilities of each staff member of the applicant, whether the staff member is engaged on a full-time, part-time or casual basis, the units to be taught by each staff member in the subsequent teaching period, the location at which those units will be taught, and the relevant qualifications or professional experience of the staff member in relation to those units;

Condition 3

The Applicant must, every 2 years for the period in which the applicant is registered with the Respondent:

1. engage a suitably qualified independent expert (with the agreement of the Respondent to the identity and terms of reference of the expert, which agreement is not to be unreasonably withheld) to prepare a report which contains an independent external review of the Applicant's Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Accounting courses. The independent expert must:
1. be suitably qualified to undertake the independent review;
2. not be a past or present member of the Applicant's staff;
3. not have been engaged as a consultant to the Applicant (and for the avoidance of doubt, this exclusion of 'consultants' is not to exclude any expert witnesses relied upon by the Applicant); and
4. not have any conflict of interest.
2. submit the independent expert's report to the Applicant's Academic Board, Board of Directors and the Respondent no later than one month after the independent expert provides their report (which must not be later than three months after the independent expert was engaged).
3. provide the Respondent with a copy of the independent expert's report, together with a plan for the implementation of the recommendations in the report which has been approved by the Applicant's Board of Directors and its Academic Board, within six weeks after the independent expert provides their report to the Applicant.

Condition 4

The Applicant must provide the Respondent with reports on its moderation and benchmarking activities, including benchmarking of student performance data undertaken by the Applicant, in the preceding 12 month period. The Applicant must provide its first report by 15 May 2018 and a report by 15 May in each subsequent year.

Condition 5

The Applicant must complete its appointment of 3 new external members (consisting of 2 replacement members and 1 additional member) to its Academic Board within 6 months of the date of the decision by the Tribunal and report on those appointments within 1 month of the appointments being finalised.

Condition 6

The Applicant must:

1. within 3 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, provide the Respondent with a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression, grade distribution and minimum time completion rates, for each accredited higher education course it offers and each year, for the period from 2012 to 2016 inclusive. The analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression and grade distribution rates and include analysis by:
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. basis for assessment of the student's English language proficiencies) country of origin;
4. referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs); and
5. student achievement in similar courses at other higher education providers.
2. develop and provide to the Respondent within 6 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, a detailed strategy, having regard to the comprehensive diagnostic analysis required under paragraph (a) above, which:
1. includes specific targets for improvement of student attrition, completion and progression rates for each course and each year over the forward registration period;
2. gives consideration to admission practices and standards, study load of students, the identification of students at risk of not progressing academically and the adequacy and effectiveness of student support;
3. has been considered and approved by the Applicant's Corporate Board and Academic Board.
3. revise the targets determined in accordance with paragraph (b) above if and as directed by the Respondent.
4. demonstrate improvement, with reference to the targets to be established under paragraphs (b) and (c), overall and for each accredited higher education course of study, through annually reporting to the Respondent on these rates by 15 March each year (for the rates in the previous year)throughout the period of registration, with these reports to commence on 15 March 2019. The reports must be considered and approved by the Applicant's Corporate Board and Academic Board and be accompanied by evidence of this approval.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd

TEQSA has agreed to orders made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under which:

• the registration of Kent Institute Pty Ltd is renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of four years until 31 March 2022.
• the accreditation of Kent Institute Pty Ltd's Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Accounting courses is renewed, under section 56 of the TEQSA Act for a period of four years until 31 March 2022.

TEQSA has also agreed that six conditions be imposed on the registration of Kent Institute Pty Ltd under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act.

A copy of the conditions is at Attachment 1.

Main reasons for the decision

The conditions have been imposed in light of risks identified in relation to the following aspects of Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd's higher education operations:

1. corporate and academic governance;
2. academic quality assurance in relation to course design, benchmarking, course assessment and moderation, and the use of comparative student performance data; and
3. the adequacy of Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd's staffing arrangements, including its approach to staff scholarship and professional development.

TEQSA's assessment considered Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Attachment 1

Condition 1

Within 6 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, the Applicant must provide evidence to the Respondent of the appointment of a suitably qualified person to the position of Executive Dean, based in Melbourne. The appointment must be made in accordance with the Applicant's position description dated 19 February 2018 and must be made with the agreement of the Respondent as to the identity of the appointee (which agreement is not to be unreasonably withheld).

Condition 2

The Applicant must:

1. within 2 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, provide the Respondent with a plan for the enhancement of scholarly activity of the staff of the applicant. The plan must:
1. be approved by the Applicant's Academic Board;
2. include only activities or memberships which have scholarly or professional relevance to the individual's role with the Applicant;
3. include a framework for collating, and reporting on, information about the scholarly activities of its staff. The framework must include a description of the steps taken by the Applicant to ensure that this information is consistently and appropriately categorised, having regard to the relevant guidance published by the Respondent in relation to scholarship.
4. specify the resources to be made available to support staff scholarly activity and the basis on which the application of these resources is reported;
5. specify the basis on which the policy will be reviewed by the Applicant.
2. no later than 4 weeks prior to the commencement of each of trimester 1 and 2(i.e. excluding trimester 3) in the Applicant's courses, provide the Respondent with a report on its academic staff and the scholarly activities of those staff, which must include:
1. the steps taken to implement the plan at (a), including the scholarly activities undertaken in the previous 6 months by each staff member with academic leadership or teaching responsibilities, and (where relevant)the amount spent by the applicant to support each of those activities; and
2. the academic leadership and teaching responsibilities of each staff member of the applicant, whether the staff member is engaged on a full-time, part-time or casual basis, the units to be taught by each staff member in the subsequent teaching period, the location at which those units will be taught, and the relevant qualifications or professional experience of the staff member in relation to those units;

Condition 3

The Applicant must, every 2 years for the period in which the applicant is registered with the Respondent:

1. engage a suitably qualified independent expert (with the agreement of the Respondent to the identity and terms of reference of the expert, which agreement is not to be unreasonably withheld) to prepare a report which contains an independent external review of the Applicant's Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Accounting courses. The independent expert must:
1. be suitably qualified to undertake the independent review;
2. not be a past or present member of the Applicant's staff;
3. not have been engaged as a consultant to the Applicant (and for the avoidance of doubt, this exclusion of 'consultants' is not to exclude any expert witnesses relied upon by the Applicant); and
4. not have any conflict of interest.
2. submit the independent expert's report to the Applicant's Academic Board, Board of Directors and the Respondent no later than one month after the independent expert provides their report (which must not be later than three months after the independent expert was engaged).
3. provide the Respondent with a copy of the independent expert's report, together with a plan for the implementation of the recommendations in the report which has been approved by the Applicant's Board of Directors and its Academic Board, within six weeks after the independent expert provides their report to the Applicant.

Condition 4

The Applicant must provide the Respondent with reports on its moderation and benchmarking activities, including benchmarking of student performance data undertaken by the Applicant, in the preceding 12 month period. The Applicant must provide its first report by 15 May 2018 and a report by 15 May in each subsequent year.

Condition 5

The Applicant must complete its appointment of 3 new external members (consisting of 2 replacement members and 1 additional member) to its Academic Board within 6 months of the date of the decision by the Tribunal and report on those appointments within 1 month of the appointments being finalised.

Condition 6

The Applicant must:

1. within 3 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, provide the Respondent with a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition, progression, grade distribution and minimum time completion rates, for each accredited higher education course it offers and each year, for the period from 2012 to 2016 inclusive. The analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression and grade distribution rates and include analysis by:
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. basis for assessment of the student's English language proficiencies) country of origin;
4. referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs); and
5. student achievement in similar courses at other higher education providers.
2. develop and provide to the Respondent within 6 months after the date on which this condition is imposed, a detailed strategy, having regard to the comprehensive diagnostic analysis required under paragraph (a) above, which:
1. includes specific targets for improvement of student attrition, completion and progression rates for each course and each year over the forward registration period;
2. gives consideration to admission practices and standards, study load of students, the identification of students at risk of not progressing academically and the adequacy and effectiveness of student support;
3. has been considered and approved by the Applicant's Corporate Board and Academic Board.
3. revise the targets determined in accordance with paragraph (b) above if and as directed by the Respondent.
4. demonstrate improvement, with reference to the targets to be established under paragraphs (b) and (c), overall and for each accredited higher education course of study, through annually reporting to the Respondent on these rates by 15 March each year (for the rates in the previous year)throughout the period of registration, with these reports to commence on 15 March 2019. The reports must be considered and approved by the Applicant's Corporate Board and Academic Board and be accompanied by evidence of this approval.

Withdrawal of registration

Report on application to withdraw registration by Harvest Bible College Ltd

The Commission has determined, under subsection 43(2) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to grant the application from Harvest Bible College Ltd (Harvest) to withdraw its registration as a Higher Education Provider, with effect from 26 April 2018.

Background to Decision

Harvest 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 Commission was satisfied that it is appropriate for the registration of Harvest to be withdrawn. This decision reflects Harvest's choice to withdraw its registration as a higher education provider and the appropriateness of the approach Harvest took to notify students, support student transfer into equivalent courses and arrangements to store student records, results and testamurs.

Course accreditation

Report on revocation of condition of accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd

On 24 November 2017 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, the condition imposed on the accreditation of the following courses offered by Victorian Institute of Technology (refer public report of 5 September 2017):

• Master of Business Administration
• Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
• Graduate Certificate of Business Administration

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

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by International College of Management, Sydney Pty. Limited

On 28 June 2018, a delegate of TEQSA renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses offered by International College of Management, Sydney Pty. Limited, for a period of seven years until 28 June 2025:

• Master of Management
• Master of Management (Tourism and Hospitality).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the courses submitted by International College of Management, Sydney Pty. Limited for renewal of accreditation continues to meet the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

TEQSA's assessment considered International College of Management, Sydney Pty. Limited's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by International College of Management, Sydney Pty. Limited

On 28 June 2018, a delegate of TEQSA renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses offered by International College of Management, Sydney Pty. Limited, for a period of seven years until 28 June 2025:

• Master of Management
• Master of Management (Tourism and Hospitality).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the courses submitted by International College of Management, Sydney Pty. Limited for renewal of accreditation continues to meet the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

TEQSA's assessment considered International College of Management, Sydney Pty. Limited's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Kaplan Higher Education Pty Ltd

On 29 May 2018, a delegate of TEQSA:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following course offered by Kaplan Higher Education Pty Ltd, for a period of seven years until 29 May 2025:
  • Bachelor of Financial Planning
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, three conditions on the accreditation of the Bachelor of Financial Planning

Condition 1:

Prior to marketing and enrolling students into the Bachelor of Financial Planning KHE must provide to TEQSA:

1. Evidence that the course is accredited by the Financial Advisor and Ethics Authority (FASEA) or the Financial Planning Education Council (FPEC) as applicable.

Condition 2:

By 31 March 2019, and each following year for the period of accreditation KHE must provide a report on its academic workforce plan approved by the corporate governing body, in order to demonstrate its continued responsibility

1. The report should include the responses and actions arising from the corporate governing body's review of the academic workforce, including the confirmation of next year's academic resourcing allocation, as informed by the recommendations of the academic governing body.
2. The report should include, but not limited to, the number of academic leaders (expressed as FTE) across all fields of education, resourcing for academic support outside of timetabled classes (expressed as FTE), student to staff ratio and the mixture of academic staffing (expressed as ongoing/casual) for the previous year.

Condition 3:

Within 90 days of the decision provide all policies and assessments linked to the internship elective unit. This includes but is not limited to:

• WIL Implementation Guide
• WIL Policy
• WIL Handbook
• Selection Procedures
• Privacy agreements
• Host Company Guidelines
• Student Guidelines

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA has made these decisions in light of risk that KHE may not continue to meet the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 3.5 in relation to the need for professional accreditation of a course of study being achieved when it is required for a graduate to be eligible to practise.
2. Section 3.2 in relation to the numbers of qualified staffing for a course of study being sufficient to meet the educational, academic support and administrative needs of students.
3. Section 5.4.1 in relation to work-integrated learning arrangements being quality assured, including the assurance of the quality of supervision of student experiences.

TEQSA's assessment considered Kaplan Higher Education Pty Ltd's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Eastern College Australia

On 14 October 2016, a delegate of TEQSA:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following courses offered by Eastern College Australia Incorporated, for a period of four years until 14 October 2020:
• Master of Teaching (Primary)
• Master of Teaching (Secondary)
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, four conditions on the accreditation of the Master of Teaching (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary).

Condition 1:

Prior to marketing the courses and enrolling students, Eastern College Australia Incorporated must provide to TEQSA, evidence that the course is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).

Condition 2:

Prior to marketing the course and enrolling students, Eastern College Australia Incorporated must provide to TEQSA a report, approved by the Academic Board, which describes a comprehensive rationale for the units in the course, including for the sequence of units in the course. This rationale must state how the units and the unit sequencing prepares students to undertake practicums, and enables students to achieve the course learning outcomes.

Condition 3:

Eastern College Australia must provide TEQSA with a report, not later than four weeks prior to the commencement of each semester for its higher education course, which, in relation to each staff member at each location proposed to teach one or more units in the course, describes:

1. the highest qualification in the discipline of the course being taught;
2. the units proposed to be taught;
3. the professional experience held; and (where applicable)
4. a summary of how Eastern College Australia's policy for academic staff qualifications and experience has been applied to that staff member.

Condition 4:

Eastern College Australia must provide to TEQSA by 30 June 2017, a copy of a written agreement with another higher education provider that will enable it to benchmark the academic standards intended to be achieved by students and the standards actually achieved by students in the course against similar accredited courses of study offered by other higher education providers.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that the courses submitted by Eastern College Australia Incorporated may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011:

1. Provider Course Accreditation Standard (PCAS) 1.2, in relation to course design and professional accreditation
2. PCAS 1.7, in relation to course documentation and overall coherence:
3. PCAS 4.2, in relation to appropriately qualitied and experienced academic staff
4. PCAS 5.5 in relation to benchmarking against similar accredited courses of study

TEQSA's assessment considered Eastern College Australia Incorporated's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Eastern College Australia

On 14 October 2016, a delegate of TEQSA:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following courses offered by Eastern College Australia Incorporated, for a period of four years until 14 October 2020:
• Master of Teaching (Primary)
• Master of Teaching (Secondary)
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, four conditions on the accreditation of the Master of Teaching (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Secondary).

Condition 1:

Prior to marketing the courses and enrolling students, Eastern College Australia Incorporated must provide to TEQSA, evidence that the course is accredited by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT).

Condition 2:

Prior to marketing the course and enrolling students, Eastern College Australia Incorporated must provide to TEQSA a report, approved by the Academic Board, which describes a comprehensive rationale for the units in the course, including for the sequence of units in the course. This rationale must state how the units and the unit sequencing prepares students to undertake practicums, and enables students to achieve the course learning outcomes.

Condition 3:

Eastern College Australia must provide TEQSA with a report, not later than four weeks prior to the commencement of each semester for its higher education course, which, in relation to each staff member at each location proposed to teach one or more units in the course, describes:

1. the highest qualification in the discipline of the course being taught;
2. the units proposed to be taught;
3. the professional experience held; and (where applicable)
4. a summary of how Eastern College Australia's policy for academic staff qualifications and experience has been applied to that staff member.

Condition 4:

Eastern College Australia must provide to TEQSA by 30 June 2017, a copy of a written agreement with another higher education provider that will enable it to benchmark the academic standards intended to be achieved by students and the standards actually achieved by students in the course against similar accredited courses of study offered by other higher education providers.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that the courses submitted by Eastern College Australia Incorporated may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011:

1. Provider Course Accreditation Standard (PCAS) 1.2, in relation to course design and professional accreditation
2. PCAS 1.7, in relation to course documentation and overall coherence:
3. PCAS 4.2, in relation to appropriately qualitied and experienced academic staff
4. PCAS 5.5 in relation to benchmarking against similar accredited courses of study

TEQSA's assessment considered Eastern College Australia Incorporated's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.