• Websites blocked to protect the integrity of higher education

    TEQSA is continuing to protect students and the integrity of Australia’s higher education sector by blocking websites and social media accounts which offer academic cheating services.

    We recently blocked an additional 79 websites, under protocols with major ISPs.

    Australia’s anti-cheating laws make it an offence to provide or advertise academic cheating services in higher education. Since August 2022 TEQSA has blocked almost 370 websites. We’ve also worked with social media companies to remove posts and profiles that advertise academic cheating services.

    A list of blocked illegal cheating websites is available on TEQSA’s website. TEQSA has also shared our entire database of suspected academic cheating services with all registered providers via Sigbox.

    TEQSA has resources available for higher education students, academics and professional staff to support good practice in, and manage risk to, academic integrity, including TEQSA’s online Masterclass: Contract cheating detection and deterrence.

    You can help us support academic integrity by reporting websites you suspect offer commercial academic cheating services.
     

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  • Adelaide University achieves TEQSA registration

    The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has registered Adelaide University as a new higher education provider within the Australian University category.

    The TEQSA Commission made this decision following an application from the new university, which is being created through the amalgamation of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

    TEQSA’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Mary Russell said the national regulatory and quality assurance agency for higher education had determined Adelaide University met the requirements for registration.

    This decision means Adelaide University is registered for a period of 7 years. The new university plans to commence operations from 1 January 2026.

    TEQSA’s notice of decision can be viewed on the National Register of Higher Education Providers and Courses, which can be accessed via the TEQSA website.

    Quotes attributable to TEQSA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mary Russell

    “The establishment of the new Adelaide University is a unique occurrence, bringing together 2 established universities to create a new institution.

    “TEQSA has been working with all parties involved to ensure the appropriate governance and academic provisions are in place and that the new institution meets the requirements for registration.

    “We appreciate the willingness of all involved to work collaboratively with TEQSA during the application process and we look forward to this constructive relationship continuing as the new university prepares to commence operations.

    “On behalf of TEQSA, I congratulate all who have been working to establish Adelaide University on achieving this significant milestone.”

    Media enquiries: TEQSA Communications 0437 143 012

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  • Fees and charges consultation

    On 30 April 2021, TEQSA released the TEQSA Fees and Charges Consultation Paper for feedback from the sector. 

    The consultation paper outlines the details of TEQSA’s proposed approach for transitioning to the new cost recovery arrangements, scheduled to commence from 1 January 2022. This transition will be phased in over three years.

    As part of the consultation process, TEQSA is keen to hear from stakeholders across the higher education sector. 

    TEQSA will review all submissions received and consider how the proposal might be adapted to best support the transition to full cost recovery before seeking the Minister’s approval.

    Final implementation arrangements will be outlined in a subsequent Cost Recovery Implementation Statement that will be released later this year.

    Background

    The 2018–19 Australian Government budget announced TEQSA would begin operating as a full cost recovery agency a change from the current partial cost recovery arrangements. 

    Under the Australian Government Charging Framework, full cost recovery means an agency’s activities are fully funded by fees and charges. 

    In April 2021, the Minister for Education and Youth confirmed that TEQSA will commence increased cost recovery arrangements from 1 January 2022, with a phased three-year introductory period. 

    The Minister also announced TEQSA’s new cost recovery model will include reductions to course accreditation fees for providers with less than 5,000 enrolled students (equivalent full-time student load) to support innovation and market responsiveness in course design.

    Making a submission

    You can make a submission in response to these proposed changes outlined in the consultation paper by emailing consultation@teqsa.gov.au. Submission responses should focus on addressing key questions outlined in the paper on page 28. The consultation closes at 5:00pm (AEST) on Thursday 3 June 2021.

    Submissions received

    Consultation events presentation

    Contact

    If you have any questions not addressed by the Frequently Asked Questions below, please email consultation@teqsa.gov.au.

    Frequently asked questions 

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  • Information request issued: AI risk mitigation

    On Monday 3 June, TEQSA issued a request for information (RFI) to all registered higher education providers. The RFI asks providers for a credible action plan, oversighted by the appropriate governance mechanisms, to address the risk generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) poses to award integrity.

    TEQSA is closely monitoring the rapid enhancement of gen AI tools, and what they mean for teaching, learning and assessment practices. The RFI looks to ensure institutions are meaningfully reflecting on the risks of gen AI. It will also enable TEQSA to share interesting or innovative approaches, with the provider’s permission, to benefit the sector as a whole.

    Providers were advised, in a letter from our Chief Commissioner, of TEQSA’s intention to issue a RFI in October 2023 and in March 2024 TEQSA held a webinar to answer providers’ questions. TEQSA also held a webinar for professional accreditation organisations in March 2024, in recognition of our shared interest in ensuring award integrity.

    Resources to support providers in responding to the RFI are available on TEQSA’s dedicated webpage, Request for information: Addressing the risk of artificial intelligence, including key considerations, frequently asked questions and a video of the provider webinar.

    Providers are asked to respond to the RFI in July 2024.

    Providers are also welcome to direct questions to the Higher Education Integrity Unit by email: integrityunit@teqsa.gov.au.

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  • Artificial intelligence request for information – next steps

    On Monday 3 June, TEQSA issued a request for information (RFI) to all registered higher education providers. We asked providers for a credible institutional action plan, oversighted by the appropriate governance mechanisms, to address the risk generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) poses to award integrity.

    The RFI asked providers to respond by Wednesday 3 July through the provider portal. Thank you to all providers who have responded. We are now moving to the analysis stage of the RFI.

    Within the coming months, the Higher Education Integrity Unit (HEIU) will comprehensively review the information received from providers. This review will focus on the way institutions are adapting teaching, learning and assessment approaches to account for gen AI.

    During the review period, we will also follow-up with any providers who have not made a submission, or whose plans are insufficient or not achievable, to understand the barriers and encourage them to meet their obligations. If a provider continues to fail to submit an action plan, we will consider whether it is appropriate to use regulatory tools.

    Once the review is complete, and where the HEIU identifies that a provider is offering an innovative or interesting approach, we will seek to develop case studies and resources to support the sector. These resources will be developed with the provider’s permission.

    More information:

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  • TEQSA initiative wins global recognition

    The TEQSA Assessment Experts Forum and the guiding principles which arose from this event, outlined in the paper Assessment reform for the age of artificial intelligence (Assessment reform guiding principles), have received global recognition as one of 3 winners of the 2024 Tracey Bretag Prize for Academic Integrity.

    The Assessment reform guiding principles were developed to support the sector in considering the risks and opportunities of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) to teaching, learning and assessment. They were launched by a panel of the lead authors at the 2023 TEQSA Conference.

    Since launching, the Assessment reform guiding principles, which are available on the TEQSA website, have been downloaded more than 10,000 times.

    Congratulations to the team of 17 experts who partnered with TEQSA in this initiative, led by the steering group of Associate Professor Jason Lodge (The University of Queensland), Associate Professor Sarah Howard (University of Wollongong), Professor Margaret Bearman and Professor Phillip Dawson (Deakin University).

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  • Register now for our next TEQSA Talks; latest recording now available

    The recording of the TEQSA Talks #2 webinar, which was held on Thursday 4 July, is now available on our website along with the presentation from CEO, Dr Mary Russell.

    You can now also register for TEQSA Talks #3, to be held on Thursday 3 October 2024 at 2-3pm (AEST).

    We look forward to you joining us in October for a TEQSA regulatory update and Q&A session.

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  • Australian Universities Accord

    The Australian Universities Accord was a 12-month review of Australia’s higher education system, led by a Panel of eminent Australians (the Panel).

    The objective of the Accord was to devise recommendations and performance targets to improve the quality, accessibility, affordability and sustainability of higher education, in order to achieve long-term security and prosperity for the sector and the nation.

    The Minister for Education, the Hon Jason Clare MP, released the Australian Universities Accord Final Report on 25 February 2024. The report contains 47 recommendations and aims to create a long-term reform plan for the higher education sector to meet Australia’s future skills needs.

    Through the 2024-25 Budget, the Australian Government has begun delivering on reforms recommended in the Accord final report.

    TEQSA and the Accord

    We engaged with and supported the Panel’s work ahead of the publication of the Accord final report.

    TEQSA was also a member of the Australian Universities Accord Ministerial Reference Group, which was chaired by the Minister for Education. The group included representatives of higher education institutions, business, staff, students and other experts.

    TEQSA is working with the Department of Education and other stakeholders to support the implementation of agreed Accord measures.

    TEQSA’s submissions to the Accord

    Tertiary harmonisation

    As part of the Accord 2024-25 Budget Measures, the Australian Government announced $27.7 million over 4 years to 2027-28 to fund a initiatives to drive harmonisation between the higher education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors.

    TEQSA looks forward to engaging with the Australian Government, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and other stakeholders to implement initiatives for the tertiary education system that are designed to better align the higher education and VET sectors.

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  • Armstrong Institute Pty Limited

    Application for registration and course accreditation

     

    Decision: Rejected
    Date of decision: 19 June 2024
    Main reasons for decision:

    The decisions were made on the basis that TEQSA was not satisfied that Armstrong Institute Pty Ltd meets the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

    • Standards 1.1.2, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 1.3.4, 1.3.6, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 1.5.1, 1.5.7 in relation to student participation and attainment
    • Standards 2.2.3, 2.3.1, 2.3.2 and 2.3.4 in relation to learning environment
    • Standards 3.2.1 and 3.3.1 in relation to teaching
    • Standards 5.1.2, 5.1.3, 5.2.1, 5.2.2 and 5.2.3 in relation to institutional quality assurance
    • Standards 6.1.1, 6.1.3, 6.3.1 and 6.3.2 in relation to governance and accountability
    • Standard 6.2.1 in relation to financial viability
    • Standards 7.1.2, 7.2.1, 7.2.2, 7.2.3, 7.2.4, 7.3.1, 7.3.2 and 7.3.3 in relation to representation, information and information management.

    The decision to reject the application for accreditation of the course was made as a consequence of the application for registration being rejected.
    Review stage:  

     

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