Course accreditation

Report on revocation of conditions of accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd

On 30 June 2016 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under Section 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, Condition 1 imposed on the accreditation of the following course offered by Polytechnic Institute Australia Pty Ltd (refer public report of 29 October 2015):

• Bachelor of Business (Accounting)

The decision to revoke the condition (Condition 1) was made on the basis that the delegate was satisfied that the condition had been met.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Elite Education Institute Pty Ltd.

A delegate of TEQSA has accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the following higher education course of study offered by Elite Education Institute Pty Ltd for a period of four years until 20 October 2020:

• Graduate Certificate in Business

The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

Main reasons for decision

TEQSA considers that the decision to accredit the course of study for a period of four years is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act. The shortened accreditation period provides an appropriate timeframe for TEQSA to review the course to ensure on-going compliance with the Threshold Standards, given that this will be the first AQF level 8 course delivered by Elite Education Institute Pty Ltd.

Initial registration

Report on initial registration of South Metropolitan TAFE

TEQSA has determined, under subsection 21(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), that registration of South Metropolitan TAFE as a higher education provider be granted from 11 April 2016 to 31 December 2017 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed one condition on the registration of South Metropolitan TAFE as a higher education provider.

Condition 1:

South Metropolitan TAFE to provide quarterly progress reports on the redevelopment and authorisation of the corporate and academic governance framework and activities for higher education including:

• strategic plan
• business plan, showing adequate funding and resources for higher education
• recruitment of academic leaders
• achievement of scholarship activity targets

TEQSA has accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the following nine higher education courses of study offered by South Metropolitan TAFE from 11 April 2016 to 30 June 2018:

• Diploma of Network Technology
• Diploma of Programming (Applications)
• Associate Degree of Network Technology
• Associate Degree of Software Development (Mobile Applications)
• Associate Degree of Fashion Business
• Associate Degree of Business
• Associate Degree of Hospitality Management
• Associate Degree of Aviation (Operations Management)
• Associate Degree of Aviation (Aeronautics)

On 11 April 2016, TEQSA, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed three conditions on these courses and granted accreditation until 31 December 2017. On 27 July 2016 TEQSA made a decision to revoke Conditions 1 and 2 and extend the period of accreditation until 30 June 2018.

South Metropolitan TAFE must continue to meet Condition 3 until such time as it is revoked.

Condition 3:

South Metropolitan TAFE notify TEQSA prior to any changes to the teach-out or course transition plans for all students enrolled in the courses of study to ensure that these students are not disadvantaged.

The course accreditations cover delivery at all Australian sites.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the initial registration process, TEQSA has assessed the registration and course accreditation for the course title submitted by South Metropolitan TAFE against the Threshold Standards for Provider Registration and Course Accreditation.

TEQSA has determined that the period of registration from 11 April 2016 to 31 December 2017 as a Higher Education Provider is to allow for transition arrangements to be implemented following the formation on 11 April 2016 of new State Government statutory authorities as part of the reorganisation of the Western Australian TAFE system. South Metropolitan TAFE is being formed from the merged operations of Polytechnic West and Challenger TAFE.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to South Metropolitan TAFE's applications for registration and accreditation is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as South Metropolitan TAFE (because of the transition) is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards. TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect South Metropolitan TAFE's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

• The broad issues which relate to the South Metropolitan TAFE's registration include:

  a) The newly established TAFE needs to redevelop its strategic plans and business plan to consolidate its commitment to Higher Education; and

  b) The TAFE needs to further establish its overall corporate and academic governance and its academic leadership for each field of education in which Higher Education Courses are offered.

• The broad issues which relate to the accreditation of the courses are relevant to their teach out status and include:

  a) Should the higher education provider discontinue the course of study, there are effective teach-out plans for all students enrolled in the course of study to ensure that these students are not disadvantaged.

Initial registration

Report on initial registration of South Metropolitan TAFE

TEQSA has determined, under subsection 21(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), that registration of South Metropolitan TAFE as a higher education provider be granted from 11 April 2016 to 31 December 2017 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed one condition on the registration of South Metropolitan TAFE as a higher education provider.

Condition 1:

South Metropolitan TAFE to provide quarterly progress reports on the redevelopment and authorisation of the corporate and academic governance framework and activities for higher education including:

• strategic plan
• business plan, showing adequate funding and resources for higher education
• recruitment of academic leaders
• achievement of scholarship activity targets

TEQSA has accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the following nine higher education courses of study offered by South Metropolitan TAFE from 11 April 2016 to 30 June 2018:

• Diploma of Network Technology
• Diploma of Programming (Applications)
• Associate Degree of Network Technology
• Associate Degree of Software Development (Mobile Applications)
• Associate Degree of Fashion Business
• Associate Degree of Business
• Associate Degree of Hospitality Management
• Associate Degree of Aviation (Operations Management)
• Associate Degree of Aviation (Aeronautics)

On 11 April 2016, TEQSA, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed three conditions on these courses and granted accreditation until 31 December 2017. On 27 July 2016 TEQSA made a decision to revoke Conditions 1 and 2 and extend the period of accreditation until 30 June 2018.

South Metropolitan TAFE must continue to meet Condition 3 until such time as it is revoked.

Condition 3:

South Metropolitan TAFE notify TEQSA prior to any changes to the teach-out or course transition plans for all students enrolled in the courses of study to ensure that these students are not disadvantaged.

The course accreditations cover delivery at all Australian sites.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the initial registration process, TEQSA has assessed the registration and course accreditation for the course title submitted by South Metropolitan TAFE against the Threshold Standards for Provider Registration and Course Accreditation.

TEQSA has determined that the period of registration from 11 April 2016 to 31 December 2017 as a Higher Education Provider is to allow for transition arrangements to be implemented following the formation on 11 April 2016 of new State Government statutory authorities as part of the reorganisation of the Western Australian TAFE system. South Metropolitan TAFE is being formed from the merged operations of Polytechnic West and Challenger TAFE.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to South Metropolitan TAFE's applications for registration and accreditation is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as South Metropolitan TAFE (because of the transition) is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards. TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect South Metropolitan TAFE's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

• The broad issues which relate to the South Metropolitan TAFE's registration include:

  a) The newly established TAFE needs to redevelop its strategic plans and business plan to consolidate its commitment to Higher Education; and

  b) The TAFE needs to further establish its overall corporate and academic governance and its academic leadership for each field of education in which Higher Education Courses are offered.

• The broad issues which relate to the accreditation of the courses are relevant to their teach out status and include:

  a) Should the higher education provider discontinue the course of study, there are effective teach-out plans for all students enrolled in the course of study to ensure that these students are not disadvantaged.

Initial registration

Report on initial registration of South Metropolitan TAFE

TEQSA has determined, under subsection 21(1) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), that registration of South Metropolitan TAFE as a higher education provider be granted from 11 April 2016 to 31 December 2017 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.

TEQSA has, under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed one condition on the registration of South Metropolitan TAFE as a higher education provider.

Condition 1:

South Metropolitan TAFE to provide quarterly progress reports on the redevelopment and authorisation of the corporate and academic governance framework and activities for higher education including:

• strategic plan
• business plan, showing adequate funding and resources for higher education
• recruitment of academic leaders
• achievement of scholarship activity targets

TEQSA has accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the following nine higher education courses of study offered by South Metropolitan TAFE from 11 April 2016 to 30 June 2018:

• Diploma of Network Technology
• Diploma of Programming (Applications)
• Associate Degree of Network Technology
• Associate Degree of Software Development (Mobile Applications)
• Associate Degree of Fashion Business
• Associate Degree of Business
• Associate Degree of Hospitality Management
• Associate Degree of Aviation (Operations Management)
• Associate Degree of Aviation (Aeronautics)

On 11 April 2016, TEQSA, under subsection 53(1) of the TEQSA Act, imposed three conditions on these courses and granted accreditation until 31 December 2017. On 27 July 2016 TEQSA made a decision to revoke Conditions 1 and 2 and extend the period of accreditation until 30 June 2018.

South Metropolitan TAFE must continue to meet Condition 3 until such time as it is revoked.

Condition 3:

South Metropolitan TAFE notify TEQSA prior to any changes to the teach-out or course transition plans for all students enrolled in the courses of study to ensure that these students are not disadvantaged.

The course accreditations cover delivery at all Australian sites.

Main Reasons for Decision

As part of the initial registration process, TEQSA has assessed the registration and course accreditation for the course title submitted by South Metropolitan TAFE against the Threshold Standards for Provider Registration and Course Accreditation.

TEQSA has determined that the period of registration from 11 April 2016 to 31 December 2017 as a Higher Education Provider is to allow for transition arrangements to be implemented following the formation on 11 April 2016 of new State Government statutory authorities as part of the reorganisation of the Western Australian TAFE system. South Metropolitan TAFE is being formed from the merged operations of Polytechnic West and Challenger TAFE.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to South Metropolitan TAFE's applications for registration and accreditation is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act, as South Metropolitan TAFE (because of the transition) is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards. TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect South Metropolitan TAFE's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

• The broad issues which relate to the South Metropolitan TAFE's registration include:

  a) The newly established TAFE needs to redevelop its strategic plans and business plan to consolidate its commitment to Higher Education; and

  b) The TAFE needs to further establish its overall corporate and academic governance and its academic leadership for each field of education in which Higher Education Courses are offered.

• The broad issues which relate to the accreditation of the courses are relevant to their teach out status and include:

  a) Should the higher education provider discontinue the course of study, there are effective teach-out plans for all students enrolled in the course of study to ensure that these students are not disadvantaged.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Melbourne Polytechnic

A delegate of TEQSA has renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following higher education courses of study offered by Melbourne Polytechnic for a period of four years until 12 December 2021:

• Associate Degree of Hospitality Management
• Bachelor of Hospitality Management

TEQSA has imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the accreditation of both courses:

Condition 1:

By 30 November 2018, Melbourne Polytechnic must provide to TEQSA, evidence that demonstrates it benchmarks the academic standards intended to be achieved by students and the standards actually achieved by students in the course(s) of study against similar accredited courses of study offered by other higher education providers.

This evidence is to include details of the courses and institutions selected for comparison and examples of action taken as a result of analysis of the data. The decision covers course delivery at all Australian sites.

Main reasons for the decision

• The recommendation to impose a condition complies with the risk of proportionate regulation, and took account of the decision to cease delivery of both courses in Hong Kong. While there is ongoing concern about Melbourne Polytechnic's ability to demonstrate quality governance arrangements through its course development and review processes, the condition is focussed on the identified area at risk of non-compliance. The condition will give Melbourne Polytechnic an opportunity to provide evidence to demonstrate that it has satisfactorily addressed the risks discussed above. Accordingly, consideration was given that the condition is proportionate to the risks of failing to comply with the Threshold Standards.
• Similarly, the decision to accredit the courses for a period of four years is a response to the provider's history of risk associated with course development and review and a failure to adequately demonstrate implementation benchmarking arrangements. In particular, the four year accreditation period is intended to provide an opportunity for it to address the risks of non-compliance. On this basis, a four year accreditation period is both necessary and proportionate to the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards.

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of one higher education course of study in teach out mode offered by Harvest Bible College

A delegate of TEQSA has renewed the accreditation, under Section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), of the following higher education course of study in teach out mode offered by Harvest Bible College for a period of four months until 30 March 2018, or until such a time as the last cohort of students (currently enrolled in their final year) graduates.

• Bachelor of Arts (Biblical Studies)

No new enrolments are permitted in the above course.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Melbourne Polytechnic

A delegate of TEQSA has renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following higher education courses of study offered by Melbourne Polytechnic for a period of seven years until 25 January 2025:

• Bachelor of Accounting
• Associate Degree of Accounting

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA has determined that the two higher education courses of study submitted by Melbourne Polytechnic for renewal of accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. TEQSA's assessment considered Melbourne Polytechnic'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 Melbourne Polytechnic

A delegate of TEQSA has renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following higher education courses of study offered by Melbourne Polytechnic for a period of seven years until 25 January 2025:

• Bachelor of Accounting
• Associate Degree of Accounting

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA has determined that the two higher education courses of study submitted by Melbourne Polytechnic for renewal of accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. TEQSA's assessment considered Melbourne Polytechnic's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.