Self-accrediting authority

Report on authority of Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd to self-accredit nominated courses of study

On 30 March 2017, TEQSA authorized, under section 41 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd to self-accredit courses of study, at AQF levels 5; 9, in the following fields of education:

• 0903 Studies in Human Society
• 0905 Human Welfare Studies and Services
• 0907 Behavioural Science
• 0911 Justice and Law Enforcement
• 0999 Other Society and Culture

Due to this decision, the following courses previously accredited by TEQSA do not need to be re-accredited by TEQSA. Please visit the provider website for information on the courses it offers.

• Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
• Master of Social Work
• Bachelor of Counselling (Coaching) (formerly Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Coaching))
• Bachelor of Counselling (formerly Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling))
• Associate Degree of Applied Social Science

Main reasons for the decision

Navitas Professional Institute Pty Limited demonstrated to TEQSA that it meets the Threshold Standards, including the criteria for authorising 'self-accrediting authority', in relation to courses of study at AQF levels 5 - 9 in the fields of education identified above.

The scope of the assessment included all Australian sites.

Revocation of Registration Conditions

Report on revocation of conditions imposed on registration of Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd

On 30 June 2021 TEQSA:

• Revoked, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Conditions 1 to 7 imposed on the registration of Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd (refer to Public Report of 18 May 2018).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions to revoke the seven conditions on the basis that they are no longer necessary in their current form, and where risks remain, these risks are adequately mitigated through new conditions.

On 30 June 2021, TEQSA imposed three conditions on the registration of Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd in relation to student performance monitoring, assessment moderation and scholarship (refer to Public Report of 30 June 2021).

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd and renewal of accreditation of nine courses of study

On 30 June 2021 TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Group Colleges Australia in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of four years until 30 June 2025.
• renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses for a period of four years until 30 June 2025:
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
  • Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Business
  • Associate Degree of Business
  • Diploma of Business
  • Bachelor of Accounting
  • Associate Degree of Accounting
  • Diploma of Accounting
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, two conditions on the registration of Group Colleges Australia.

Condition 1: Student performance monitoring

GCA must provide to TEQSA:

1. By 30 June 2022, a report containing a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition for each accredited higher education course it offers, for the period from 2016-2020 inclusive. Data on attrition rates must be calculated in accordance with the definition used in the TEQSA Risk Assessment Framework.
2. By 30 September 2022:
   
   1. evidence that attrition as defined in the TEQSA Risk Assessments and adjusted attrition rates are regularly reported to the GCA Board of Directors and the Academic Senate, and
   2. evidence of the actions and mitigating strategies that have and will be implemented to address the continued high rate of unadjusted attrition.

Condition 2: Scholarship

1. By 31 March 2022, GCA must obtain a report from an independent expert that considers the extent to which GCA academic staff with academic oversight, and those with teaching and supervisory responsibilities, meet the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework to:
   
   1. have the appropriate qualifications and experience for their roles; and
   2. be engaged in continuing scholarship.
2. Prior to engaging the reviewer to perform the review in paragraph 1, GCA must obtain TEQSA's approval for the identity of the reviewer and the terms of reference for the review.

On 30 July 2021 TEQSA:

• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of Group Colleges Australia.

Condition 3: Assessment moderation

By 31 December 2021, GCA must:

1. Engage an independent external moderation expert to prepare and sent to TEQSA a moderation assessment report of a statistically significant representative sample of randomly selected assessments from the Master of Business Administration by the external expert, for each completed subject in each study period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. The report is to contain recommendation(s), if any, on matters associated with the ability of the assessments to accurately reflect students achieving the stated learning outcomes from the assessment.
2. Prior to engaging the expert to complete the moderation assessment report, GCA must obtain TEQSA's approval for the identity of the reviewer and the terms of reference for the report.
3. If recommendation(s) are identified in the moderation assessment report, by 25 February 2022, GCA must provide TEQSA with evidence of the actions and mitigating strategies that have and will be implemented to address the recommendation(s).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 and for Condition 3 only, the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

1. Standard 6.3.2 of Part A, in relation to academic oversight of effective monitoring and initiating action to improve performance against institutional benchmarks for academic quality and outcomes, particularly focusing on the number of students who commence but do not continue their studies with Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd into their second year.
2. Standard 3.2.3 of Part A, in relation to scholarship activities undertaken by staff, and concerns that academic staff are not engaged in adequate levels of scholarly activity.
3. Standard 5.3.4 of Part A, in relation to monitoring, review and improvement activities, particularly in relation to the appropriate moderation of student assessment.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 32 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd and renewal of accreditation of nine courses of study

On 30 June 2021 TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Group Colleges Australia in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of four years until 30 June 2025.
• renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses for a period of four years until 30 June 2025:
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
  • Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Business
  • Associate Degree of Business
  • Diploma of Business
  • Bachelor of Accounting
  • Associate Degree of Accounting
  • Diploma of Accounting
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, two conditions on the registration of Group Colleges Australia.

Condition 1: Student performance monitoring

GCA must provide to TEQSA:

1. By 30 June 2022, a report containing a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition for each accredited higher education course it offers, for the period from 2016-2020 inclusive. Data on attrition rates must be calculated in accordance with the definition used in the TEQSA Risk Assessment Framework.
2. By 30 September 2022:
   
   1. evidence that attrition as defined in the TEQSA Risk Assessments and adjusted attrition rates are regularly reported to the GCA Board of Directors and the Academic Senate, and
   2. evidence of the actions and mitigating strategies that have and will be implemented to address the continued high rate of unadjusted attrition.

Condition 2: Scholarship

1. By 31 March 2022, GCA must obtain a report from an independent expert that considers the extent to which GCA academic staff with academic oversight, and those with teaching and supervisory responsibilities, meet the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework to:
   
   1. have the appropriate qualifications and experience for their roles; and
   2. be engaged in continuing scholarship.
2. Prior to engaging the reviewer to perform the review in paragraph 1, GCA must obtain TEQSA's approval for the identity of the reviewer and the terms of reference for the review.

On 30 July 2021 TEQSA:

• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of Group Colleges Australia.

Condition 3: Assessment moderation

By 31 December 2021, GCA must:

1. Engage an independent external moderation expert to prepare and sent to TEQSA a moderation assessment report of a statistically significant representative sample of randomly selected assessments from the Master of Business Administration by the external expert, for each completed subject in each study period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. The report is to contain recommendation(s), if any, on matters associated with the ability of the assessments to accurately reflect students achieving the stated learning outcomes from the assessment.
2. Prior to engaging the expert to complete the moderation assessment report, GCA must obtain TEQSA's approval for the identity of the reviewer and the terms of reference for the report.
3. If recommendation(s) are identified in the moderation assessment report, by 25 February 2022, GCA must provide TEQSA with evidence of the actions and mitigating strategies that have and will be implemented to address the recommendation(s).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 and for Condition 3 only, the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

1. Standard 6.3.2 of Part A, in relation to academic oversight of effective monitoring and initiating action to improve performance against institutional benchmarks for academic quality and outcomes, particularly focusing on the number of students who commence but do not continue their studies with Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd into their second year.
2. Standard 3.2.3 of Part A, in relation to scholarship activities undertaken by staff, and concerns that academic staff are not engaged in adequate levels of scholarly activity.
3. Standard 5.3.4 of Part A, in relation to monitoring, review and improvement activities, particularly in relation to the appropriate moderation of student assessment.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 32 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

Course accreditation condition

Report on imposition of condition of two higher education courses of study offered by ISN Psychology Pty Ltd

On 27 July 2021 a delegate of TEQSA imposed, under section 53 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Condition 1 imposed on the accreditation of the following courses offered by by ISN Psychology Pty Ltd:

• Bachelor of Psychological Science
• Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)

Condition 1: ISN Psychology Pty Ltd must not offer or enrol students in the Bachelor of Psychological Science or Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) until ISN Psychology Pty Ltd has provided TEQSA with evidence that the courses are accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that the courses no longer meet the requirements of Standard 3.1.5 of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 which requires: "Where professional accreditation of a course of study is required for graduates to be eligible to practise, the course of study is accredited and continues to be accredited by the relevant professional body".

TEQSA acknowledges that ISN made a decision to discontinue the above mentioned courses and advised the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) of its decision. Consequentially APAC withdrew the professional accreditation of these courses.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of four higher education courses of study offered by INSEARCH Limited

On 30 July 2021, 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 INSEARCH Limited, until 31 December 2021:

• Undergraduate Certificate in Business Essentials
• Undergraduate Certificate in Design Practice
• Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Literacy
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Technology.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the courses submitted by INSEARCH Limited for accreditation meet the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of eleven higher education courses of study in teach out mode offered by Box Hill Institute

On 5 August 2021, 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 in teach out mode offered by Box Hill Institute, for a period of two years until 31 July 2023:

• Bachelor of Applied Music (Performance)
• Bachelor of Applied Music (Composition)
• Bachelor of Applied Music (Audio Production)
• Associate Degree in Applied Music
• Bachelor of Applied Business in Music Industry
• Associate Degree in Applied Business in Music Industry
• Bachelor of Sound Production
• Associate Degree in Sound Production
• Diploma of Sound Production
• Graduate Diploma of Music (Contemporary Practice)
• Master of Music (Contemporary Practice).

No new enrolments are permitted in the above courses.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it considers it appropriate to permit Box Hill Institute to teach out the above courses over a period of two years.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Alphacrucis College Limited

On 23 August 2021, 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 Alphacrucis College Limited, for a period of 7 years until 23 August 2028:

• Master of Counselling
• Master of Counselling (Korean).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the courses submitted by Alphacrucis College Limited for accreditation meet the applicable Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of nine higher education courses of study offered by ICHM Pty Ltd

On 31 August 2021, 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 ICHM Pty Ltd, for a period of 7 years until 31 August 2028:

• Bachelor of Business
• Associate Degree of Business
• Diploma of Business
• Bachelor of Business (Marketing)
• Associate Degree of Business (Marketing)
• Diploma of Business (Marketing)
• Bachelor of Business (Entrepreneurship)
• Associate Degree of Business (Entrepreneurship)
• Diploma of Business (Entrepreneurship).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the courses submitted by ICHM Pty Ltd for accreditation meet the applicable Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.