• TEQSA registers Australian College of Theology as an Australian University

    The TEQSA Commission has confirmed the registration of the Australian College of Theology (ACT) in the Australian University category.

    The decision followed consultation with state and territory ministers responsible for higher education following a decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in October 2024.

    The Tribunal's decision noted that TEQSA needed to consult with the responsible state and territory ministers in accordance with Section 39 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act).

    In making its decision, TEQSA noted that the Tribunal had formed the view that ACT met the requirements for registration as an Australian University, and State and Territory Ministers did not oppose the change in provider status.

    The Australian College of Theology was founded in 1891 and was granted self-accrediting authority in 2010 and gained University College status in 2022. It has approximately 3,000 students enrolled in courses in Theology, Ministry and Christian Studies.

    Comments attributable to TEQSA Acting Chief Commissioner, Ms Adrienne Nieuwenhuis

    "Following the Tribunal's ruling and in accordance with the TEQSA Act, TEQSA consulted with all state and territory ministers with responsibilities for higher education.

    "Having given consideration to feedback from the relevant Ministers, the TEQSA Commission confirmed the decision to register the Australian College of Theology in the Australian University category on 20 December 2024."

    "On behalf of the TEQSA Commission, I congratulate the Australian College of Theology on achieving registration as the nation's 44th university."

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  • Understanding the standards: TEQSA’s role with regard to Vice-Chancellor salaries, appointments and employment arrangements

    TEQSA has developed the below answers to frequently asked questions regarding its role in relation to Vice-Chancellor salaries, appointments and oversight following recent media coverage of these issues.

    Universities are complex organisations, and leaders of these institutions reflect a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. Given the important role of universities within their communities and public interest in university leadership, TEQSA places high importance on the quality of university leadership, in particular the effectiveness of governing bodies and ensuring the fitness and propriety of those in charge.

    TEQSA will update this page if more questions regarding this topic are raised with the agency.

    What is TEQSA’s role in oversighting Vice-Chancellor salaries, appointments and employment arrangements?

    Vice-Chancellors are appointed by, and responsible to, the university’s governing body, usually known as the university council or senate.

    The university’s governing body has governance responsibility for the Vice-Chancellor’s performance in the role, including salary, ongoing monitoring and management of performance, identifying and addressing potential conflicts of interest and other matters that would impact on effective performance in the role.

    As part of our regulatory and quality assurance activities, TEQSA can seek specific evidence that the governing body has such policies, processes, controls and ongoing oversight in place.

    What are the requirements around the composition of a university’s governing body?

    The act of establishment for each university sets out the requirements for its governing body.

    How does TEQSA apply the Fit and Proper Person requirement?

    In accordance with the TEQSA Act, the requirement to be a Fit and Proper Person applies to all people who make decisions that affect the whole, or a substantial part of, the provider’s affairs, such as the Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor, senior executives and members of the governing body.

    In assessing whether a person is fit and proper, TEQSA considers the person’s character and ability, as well as the likelihood that the person will comply with (or reasonably assist compliance with) the obligations under the TEQSA Act and the Higher Education Standards Framework. These matters are set out in further detail in a legislative instrument (the Fit and Proper Person Determination) made under the TEQSA Act.

    TEQSA is in the process of updating the Fit and Proper Person Determination to align with those that apply to the vocational education and training sector, following consultation in 2024.

    Is TEQSA supporting the priorities around improving university governance identified by the Australian Universities Accord?

    TEQSA supports the implementation of priority action 5 from the Australian Universities Accord.

    TEQSA is presently developing new guidance and reporting requirements regarding provider workplace obligations and is also engaging with work being led by the Department of Education to establish the Expert Council on University Governance.

    Further information

    The below regulatory guidance materials contain more information about TEQSA’s approach to corporate governance and determining the fitness and propriety of a person.

    TEQSA’s previous media responses on this matter

     

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  • Undergraduate Certificate extension

    TEQSA has been advised that Commonwealth, State and Territory government Education and Skills Ministers have agreed to make the Undergraduate Certificate a permanent qualification in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

    The Undergraduate Certificate was previously due to sunset on 30 June 2025.

    The decision means TEQSA will be able to accredit Undergraduate Certificate courses beyond 30 June 2025.

    Over the coming weeks TEQSA will contact providers who have accredited Undergraduate Certificates requiring renewal.

    Further information

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  • Guidance note: Research and research training

    Body

    TEQSA’s guidance notes are concise documents designed to provide high-level, principles-based guidance on interpretation and application of specific standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021. They also draw attention to other interrelated standards and highlight potential risks to compliance. They do not introduce prescriptive obligations.
     

    The definitive instruments that set out providers’ obligations in delivering higher education remain the Threshold Standards (as written by the Higher Education Standards Panel) and the TEQSA Act.
     

    The purpose and intent of this guidance note about research and research training is to explore how providers can ensure the integrity and quality of research and research training is upheld at their institution.
     

    1. What does research and research training encompass?

    For the purposes of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (Threshold Standards), research is defined as ‘the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way by a higher education provider so as to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings’. Research can be carried out in and between all fields and may involve a range of tools and media.

    Undertaking research can be considered:

    • at the level of individual activity (e.g. part of an individual’s personal research or professional practice), or
    • across a provider (e.g. policy frameworks, resource allocation, institutional expectations, staff development).

    At a minimum, research:

    • leads to and/or transmits new knowledge or advances in creative or professional practice in a field
    • is a planned, purposive intellectual inquiry
    • produces outputs that are subject to external, independent scrutiny.

    For the purposes of the Threshold Standards, ‘research training’ is a formal course of graduate study leading to the acquisition of advanced skills, techniques, and knowledge in the conduct of research. Research training also builds towards the production of a contribution to the field of research or creative or professional practice. Research training is a key characteristic of the Masters Degree (Research) and all Doctoral Degrees at AQF 10 (sometimes referred to as higher degrees by research) (Australian Qualifications Framework). In the case of Doctoral Degrees, the Threshold Standards requires a significant and original contribution to the field of research or creative or professional practice.

    Bachelor Honours degrees may include a significant research component and be a pathway to further research training. However, TEQSA will not assess coursework degrees (including Bachelor Honours Degrees) against the research standards.

    2. What TEQSA will look for

    Given the investment and resources necessary to successfully offer and support postgraduate research degrees, TEQSA expects to see well developed and mature course design, research supervision, review, and quality assurance processes.

    TEQSA’s considerations relevant to other aspects of the Threshold Standards include:

    Part A: Key considerations
    1.3.3 Orientation and Progression
    • Research candidate’s program progession is monitored and feedback provided.
    1.4.5–1.4.7: Learning Outcomes and Assessment
    • Research candidates aquire the relevant skills, their major assessable research outputs are assessed by suitably qualified external assessor(s) and contribute to the development of the field.
    2.1: Facilities and Infrastructure
    • Facilities and infrastructure are fit for purpose and can accommodate the research needs of the course, research candidates and staff.
    4.1: Research
    • There is a research policy framework and research is conducted consistent with this policy framework.
    • Research is conducted and overseen by suitably qualified staff.
    • Research outputs of staff and research candidates are recorded and records are current.
    4.2: Research Training
    • There is an institutional research training policy framework.
    • An appropriate environment, induction, supervisory arrangements and resources that support research training are in place.
    • Coursework components meet the governance and quality requirements for coursework set by a provider.
    • Supervisors of research have the requisite knowledge and skill to supervise a research candidate.
    5.2: Academic and Research Integrity
    • Policies and procedures uphold research integrity, mitigate risks, ensure guidance is provided, and integrity maintained in third party arrangements.
    • Promotion and fostering of a culture of research integrity and institutions meeting their responsibilities with respect to the provision of ongoing research integrity training and education for relevant staff and students.
    5.4: Delivery with Other Parties
    • The provider quality assures placements and internships (where applicable) and ensures that research training delivered by third parties (such as industry and higher education partners) is consistent with the Threshold Standards.
    6.1.3c: Corporate Governance
    • The governing body ensures that research and research training are governed by institutional policies.
    6.3.1 and 6.3.2: Academic Governance
    • Academic governance processes and structures maintain academic oversight of research and research training.
    7.3.1j Information Management
    • Information about arrangements with other parties delivering research training is publicly available.

    TEQSA may further consider:

    • referencing of policies to external requirements, particularly regarding research ethics
    • how any allegations of research misconduct have been investigated and resolved, and whether improvements were made to policies or procedures to prevent recurrence of breaches
    • data management and the adequacy of a provider’s arrangements for recording research outputs
    • whether academics supervising research students are ‘active in research’.
      • in determining whether an academic is ‘active in research’, TEQSA will consider whether the academic, in accordance with policies of their institution, currently and meaningfully participates in research
      • considerations will include whether current staff have peer reviewed research outputs, for example, journal articles, books, book chapters, conference papers, presentations, and non-traditional research outputs within the past five years in a relevant field.
    • whether an institutional environment that is supportive of academics being ‘active in research’ is fostered. Examples of factors TEQSA may consider include whether:
      • position descriptions for future staff require staff to have recent outputs and indicate that they must continue to be active in research
      • policies exist that actively support staff to participate in research outside of teaching hours and provide assistance for staff to apply for research funding and grants
      • there are sufficient staff to ensure availability to supervise HDR students
      • policies ensure regular reviews of staff research activities, such as maintaining a research register to track progress and outputs.

    3. Identified issues

    Research

    Within the context of the Threshold Standards, TEQSA has identified a range of  issues which are indicative of risks to the integrity and quality of research. These include, but are not limited to:

    • lack of appropriate engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples where relevant (2.2.2, 4.1.1a,b,d, 6.2.1g) 
    • physical or psychological harm to people or animals, as subjects of the research, to associated communities, to the persons conducting the research and to the environment (Standard 4.1.1a)
    • breaches of Australia’s laws on intellectual property protection, as well as disputes over ownership of, or effective control over, intellectual property (Standard 4.1.1b)
    • breaches of the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research (Standard 4.1.1)
    • improper or inaccurate attribution of authorship to research outputs, not reflective of the personnel (staff or research candidate) who conducted the work (Standard 4.1.1a, d)

    Research training

    Within the context of the Threshold Standards, TEQSA has identified a range of issues which are indicative of risks to the integrity and quality of research training. These include, but are not limited to:

    • Policies, procedures, resourcing and environment
      • inadequate policies and procedures for addressing research candidate grievances (Standard 4.2.1g and Section 2.4)
      • providers having insufficiently strong research cultures surrounding research candidates, including working with other research candidates and having peer support (Standard 4.2.2)
      • a lack of awareness of safety protocols for laboratories or of the dangers in particular environments (Standard 4.2.4)
      • inadequate resourcing for research candidates’ projects, including inadequate on-campus facilities and a less than stimulating intellectual environment (Standard 4.2.2).
    • Delivery by third parties
      • lack of oversight of issues in third party relationships involved in delivering Higher Degrees by Research (Standard 5.4.2).
    • Examination of theses
      • poor choice of examiners or the dispatch of a thesis for examination that is under-prepared (Standard 4.2.1c-e).
    • Supervision of research
      • providers not sufficiently guiding the research candidate in the development of the project concept and expected outcomes (Standards 4.2.1a and 4.2.3)
      • providers not paying adequate attention to ensuring sufficient progress is maintained by research candidates. Any lack of progress should be identified early by supervisors and fresh targets established with the candidate (Standard 4.2.1c)
      • inadequate supervision, whether due to selection of the supervisor (internal or external to provider), insufficient training and preparation of supervisors, policies supporting supervision not being fit for purpose, and/or weak support for the supervisory relationship (Standards 4.2.1a-b and 4.2.3)
      • lack of explicitly and mutually agreed expectations between the research candidate and supervisor. This prevents research candidates from determining whether the supervisory service is reasonable or not. Such requirements would cover, for example, timeliness of work required by both candidate and supervisor and expectations around tasks such as review of chapters or whole thesis at given points (Standard 4.2.1a)
      • making frequent or repeated change of supervisor(s), especially if a new supervisor has less interest in the candidate’s research or lacks appropriate experience or qualifications than the original supervisor (Standard 4.2.3)
      • the principal supervisor not being suitably qualified and experienced in research in the relevant field, such as having little or low quality published research output in that field (Standard 4.2.3a).
         

    Related resources

    Version # Date Key changes
    1.0 21 October 2016 Made available as beta version for consultation.
    1.1 30 August 2017 Revised in response to consultation feedback.
    1.2 11 October 2017 Minor amendment to ‘What will TEQSA look for?” text box.
    1.3 5 July 2018 Updates to resources and references section for new publications and changed hyperlinks.
    2.0 12 September 2022 Major revision.
    2.1 11 December 2024 Minor updates including additional information on ‘active in research’.

     

    Subtitle
    Version 2.1
    Stakeholder
    Publication type

    Documents

    tom.hewitt-mcmanus

  • TEQSA team member's Public Service Medal

    Respected former TEQSA colleague, Anne McFall, has been awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) in the Australia Day Honours List for her outstanding public service to Australian higher education.

    Recently retired, Anne is one of only 100 government employees to be recognised in 2025 for outstanding public service, in these annual awards. Deservedly, her honour focuses on her exemplary guidance to the sector in the regulation of the Higher Education Standards Framework 2021 (Threshold Standards), and her contributions to policy development and design that have achieved significant efficiencies in TEQSA’s management of provider applications.

    To summarise the official description of her honour:
    “Anne McFall has consistently delivered outstanding service to support Australia’s higher education sector in areas such as compliance and investigations, customer service, stakeholder management, provider registrations / re-registrations and course accreditations / reaccreditations assessments, and contributions to policy development and projects. Her exemplary leadership was noted in the regulating of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) (2011/2015/2021), which sets the standards that a provider must meet and continue to meet to be registered to operate as a higher education provider in Australia.

    “The design processes and reporting arrangements led to significant efficiencies in the management of applications and successful maintenance of the integrity of entry to Australia’s higher education sector under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Act 2011 (TEQSA). 

    “Ms McFall’s leadership skills, her consultative and inclusive management style has resulted in recognition and respect throughout the sector as a person with extensive experience and knowledge of regulation within higher education. She has assumed a leadership role to guide and support staff across TEQSA’s regulatory operations groups, where she worked across multiple roles to provide a supportive and knowledgeable team environment.

    "(Her) leadership skills, her consultative and inclusive management style has resulted in recognition and respect throughout the sector as a person with extensive experience and knowledge of regulation within higher education... (she) consistently exhibits excellence in her leadership and has done so while modelling TEQSA’s values of trust, respect, accountability and collaboration.”

    •    Read the full PSM honour description

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  • Privacy

    TEQSA is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information. Our online privacy statement explains how we handle personal information and is an overview of our Complete Australian Privacy Principles (APP) Privacy Policy and Privacy Management Plan.

    Consistent with the guidelines from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC), we use a layered approach to presenting our privacy policy.

    Our complete Privacy Policy, which incorporates our Privacy Management Plan, can be accessed below.

    Types of information collected by TEQSA

    We collect and hold personal information for three main purposes:

    • to perform our regulatory and quality assurance functions
    • to manage our operations an Australian Public Service agency
    • to comply with legislation/laws.

    The type of information we collect and hold includes:

    • for our regulatory and quality assurance functions, information relating to provider case management, regulatory complaints, enquiries and information obtained as part of our annual Provider Information Request
    • for our management as an Australian Public Service agency, personnel records, financial management records, consultancy services records and legal services records
    • to comply with legislation or other laws, records of requests for access under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

    Details of these types of information are set out in our Complete APP Privacy Policy and Privacy Management Plan.

    Collection of information

    Information about our regulatory functions is usually collected from:

    • regulated entities
    • publicly available sources
    • other agencies or organisations with functions relevant to higher education or the regulation of higher education.

    These include the Department of Education and Training and other organisations specified in our Information Guidelines.

    Other information is usually collected directly from the individual unless:

    • the individual has consented to the collection, or
    • it is unreasonable or impracticable to do so, for example where TEQSA obtains an individual’s contact details from an entity listed on our Register of experts.

    We only collect personal information which is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, our functions or activities under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act) or the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act).

    Our use and disclosure of personal information

    We only use personal information for the purposes for which we collected it – purposes which are directly related to one of our functions or activities.

    For information obtained for the purposes of our regulatory and quality assurance functions, we may disclose the information to:

    • Commonwealth, state or territory agencies with responsibility for the regulation of education (including the Department of Immigration and the Australian Skills Quality Authority), for the purposes of informing assessment of applications
    • credit rating agencies, for the purpose of checking credit history information of applicants or related entities
    • experts contracted (by TEQSA) for the purpose of providing advice to inform assessment of applications.

    TEQSA has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Productivity Commission to perform information technology services, financial processing and human resources management services.

    We do not give personal information to other government agencies, private sector organisations or anyone else unless one of the following applies:

    • the individual has consented
    • the individual would reasonably expect, or has been told, that information of that kind is usually passed to those individuals, organisations or agencies
    • it is otherwise required or authorised by law
    • it will prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to somebody's life or health, or
    • it is reasonably necessary for the enforcement of the criminal law or of a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of public revenue.

    It is unlikely the records we hold that contain personal information will be disclosed to any overseas recipients.

    Data security

    We take all reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold against loss, unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure, and against other misuse.

    When the personal information that we collect is no longer required, it is deleted/destroyed in a secure manner and in accordance with the Archives Act 1983, TEQSA’s Records Authority and the Privacy Act 1988.

    Your information

    You can access and ask for corrections to the personal information we hold about you. For more information, view our Complete APP Privacy Policy and Privacy Management Plan – ‘access and correction’.

    Our obligations

    We are bound by the Australian Privacy Principles in the Privacy Act 1988. 

    For more information see our Complete APP Privacy Policy and Privacy Management Plan.

    Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) Register

    TEQSA is required under the Australian Privacy Principles Code to maintain a register of the PIAs it conducts and publish the register, or a version of the register, on its website. This register is posted below and is reviewed and updated twice yearly. This register was last reviewed and updated on 25 February 2025.

    Date Document Title
    14 November 2019 Documents obtained from the University of New South Wales regarding Australian and overseas providers
    30 March 2022 COVID-19 vaccination mandate
    13 May 2024 Student records management solution
    19 December 2024 Records management project (digital uplift)

    How to contact us 

    For further information, or to make a complaint about our handling of personal information, contact:

    Privacy Contact Officer
    Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
    GPO Box 1672
    Melbourne VIC 3001
    Email: foi@teqsa.gov.au

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  • Ensuring wellbeing and safety in higher education

    TEQSA has written to all higher education providers to remind them of their obligations to ensure student and staff safety and wellbeing as the academic year commences.

    The letter also updates providers on TEQSA's work to develop new regulatory guidance, which will be released for consultation shortly.

    TEQSA will share information about the consultation process, including the draft materials, through our website and social media channels shortly.

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  • Media centre

    Journalists can contact TEQSA’s media team by emailing comms@teqsa.gov.au

    Stay informed

    You can receive our media releases and e-News directly to your inbox.

    Media releases

    2025

    Date Media release
    8 January 2025 TEQSA registers Australian College of Theology as an Australian University

    2024

    Date Media release
    18 November 2024 TEQSA registers Excelsia College as a University College
    8 October 2024 TEQSA commences legal proceedings against Chegg

    2023

    Date Media release
    7 July 2023 TEQSA registers Sydney College of Divinity as a University College
    20 April 2023 New TEQSA training course to help academic and professional staff detect and deter contract cheating

    2022

    Date Media release
    19 October 2022 International launch of Global Academic Integrity Network (GAIN)
    13 October 2022 TEQSA disrupts access to another 110 illegal academic cheating websites
    7 October 2022 TEQSA registers Australian College of Theology as University College
    31 January 2022 Alphacrucis College registered as Australia's fourth University College

    2021

    Date Media release
    3 November 2021 TEQSA welcomes new Commissioner Stephen Somogyi
    8 October 2021 TEQSA successful in Federal Court action to block access to cheating website
    1 October 2021 TEQSA welcomes new Commissioner
    7 July 2021 TEQSA commences Federal Court action against alleged academic cheating service
    1 July 2021 New university and three University Colleges registered by TEQSA
    7 May 2021 TEQSA leading action to combat illegal commercial academic cheating services
    9 April 2021 TEQSA alerts higher education sector about new cyber threat

     

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  • Information for TEQSA external experts

    Overview of TEQSA’s external experts

    With higher education playing a critical role in driving innovation and productivity for Australia, and providing students the skills required for future success, TEQSA's work is more important than ever. Having access to a register of external experts helps us perform our regulatory functions efficiently and to a high standard.

    TEQSA uses external experts to provide independent advice on specific, identified elements within our regulatory assessments and reviews. Our staff use input from external experts to provide advice that contributes to assessments of providers’ applications for:

    • registration as a higher education provider
    • renewal of registration as a higher education provider  
    • accreditation of a course of study
    • renewal of accreditation of a course of study.

    It is important to note that external expert advice is only one input into our regulatory process and experts do not draft recommendations or make regulatory decisions. External experts are required to respond to specific briefs prepared by our staff on components of an application that have been identified by the assessment manager.

    Conflict of interest and external experts

    We treat confidentiality and managing conflicts of interest with external experts with the upmost seriousness.

    External experts engaged by TEQSA are required to declare any real or perceived conflicts of interest that might arise before they undertake assignments for the agency.

    Conflicts of interest could include: 

    • any financial interest in the assignment
    • any relatives or friends with an interest in the assignment
    • any personal bias or inclination which would affect decisions in relation to their assessment of an assignment
    • any personal obligation, allegiance or loyalty which would affect decisions in relation to the assignment
    • any employment history and/or prior contracts with the applicant involved in an assignment.

    Existing external experts are obliged to notify us as soon as possible if they consider that they have any matters that need to be declared in light of the above, in addition to providing us with a conflict of interest declaration form annually. If you require the conflict of interest declaration form, it may be downloaded from the link below and returned to the team at: engaging.experts@teqsa.gov.au.

    Useful resources for external experts

    External experts may find the below tip sheet helpful when using the portal:

    External experts should ensure that their contact details are always up to date. You can advise us of any changes by emailing the team at: engaging.experts@teqsa.gov.au.

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