Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of the University of Wollongong

On 28 March 2018, TEQSA renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of the University of Wollongong in the category of Australian University, for a period of seven years until 28 March 2025.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the University of Wollongong continues to meet the Provider Registration and Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

TEQSA's assessment considered the University of Wollongong's arrangements for delivery at its Australian and overseas sites.

TEQSA found that the University of Wollongong has demonstrated:

a. strong performance and reputation as a provider of high quality teaching and learning.

b. a strong research culture, led by appropriately qualified and experienced staff, resulting in a strong record of research activity in all faculties.

c. robust quality assurance processes that ensure education quality is maintained in partnerships with onshore and offshore entities.

d. a sound commitment to maintaining academic and research integrity, enacted through a comprehensive suite of policies, procedures, educational resources and interventions.

e. commitment to increasing participation of Indigenous students in higher education activities, and plans for well-targeted support, appropriate to the varying needs of its students.

f. a high standard of record keeping in the form of comprehensive minutes of the meetings of the governing Council and other key advisory and decision making bodies. These documents enable effective, informed decision making and assurance of implementation of delegations.

Course accreditation

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

On 26 March 2018 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 Excelsia College, for a period of seven years until 26 March 2025:

• Bachelor of Management and Entrepreneurship
• Associate Degree of Management and Entrepreneurship

Imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, two conditions on the accreditation of the Bachelor of Management and Entrepreneurship and Associate Degree of Management and Entrepreneurship.

Condition 1: Institutional Quality Assurance

Prior to the delivery of the courses, Excelsia must provide TEQSA with:

1. a register of amendments to the unit outlines that maps the changes to the unit outlines recommended by TEQSA's external experts through the development process
2. evidence of the quality assurance processes used to oversee the development and approval of the amendments to the unit outlines that demonstrates academic oversight by peak institutional academic governance processes, for example:
   
   1. Minutes from the course development committee
   2. Minutes and approval from the Academic Board.

Condition 2: Work Integrated Learning

Prior to the delivery of the courses, Excelsia must provide TEQSA with:

1. a comprehensive Work Integrated Learning Placement and Supervision Handbook that includes:
   
   1. quality assurance processes for evaluating the suitability of the placement host and of student supervision;
   2. the types of assistance that Excelsia College provides to students in the event that a student cannot find their own placement.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that the courses submitted by Excelsia College may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 5.1 of Part A, in relation to Institutional Quality Assurance:
1. course approval processes are overseen by peak institutional academic governance processes.
2. Section 5.4 of Part A, in relation to Delivery with other Parties:
1. Work-integrated learning, placements are quality assured, including the assurance of the quality of supervision and student experiences.

TEQSA's assessment considered Excelsia College's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Course accreditation

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

On 26 March 2018 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 Excelsia College, for a period of seven years until 26 March 2025:

• Bachelor of Management and Entrepreneurship
• Associate Degree of Management and Entrepreneurship

Imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, two conditions on the accreditation of the Bachelor of Management and Entrepreneurship and Associate Degree of Management and Entrepreneurship.

Condition 1: Institutional Quality Assurance

Prior to the delivery of the courses, Excelsia must provide TEQSA with:

1. a register of amendments to the unit outlines that maps the changes to the unit outlines recommended by TEQSA's external experts through the development process
2. evidence of the quality assurance processes used to oversee the development and approval of the amendments to the unit outlines that demonstrates academic oversight by peak institutional academic governance processes, for example:
   
   1. Minutes from the course development committee
   2. Minutes and approval from the Academic Board.

Condition 2: Work Integrated Learning

Prior to the delivery of the courses, Excelsia must provide TEQSA with:

1. a comprehensive Work Integrated Learning Placement and Supervision Handbook that includes:
   
   1. quality assurance processes for evaluating the suitability of the placement host and of student supervision;
   2. the types of assistance that Excelsia College provides to students in the event that a student cannot find their own placement.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that the courses submitted by Excelsia College may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 5.1 of Part A, in relation to Institutional Quality Assurance:
1. course approval processes are overseen by peak institutional academic governance processes.
2. Section 5.4 of Part A, in relation to Delivery with other Parties:
1. Work-integrated learning, placements are quality assured, including the assurance of the quality of supervision and student experiences.

TEQSA's assessment considered Excelsia College's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by JMC Pty. Limited

On 20 October 2017, a delegate of TEQSA accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries (GDCI) offered by JMC Pty. Limited (JMC) for a period of four years until 20 October 2021.

On 23 October 2017, a delegate of TEQSA:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the Master of Creative Industries (MCI) offered by JMC Pty. Limited (JMC) for a period of four years until 20 October 2021
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, four conditions on the accreditation of the Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries and Master of Creative Industries.

On 10 January 2018, a delegate of TEQSA varied conditions 3 and 4. The revised conditions 3 and 4 are set out below.

Condition 1:Head of Department, Department of Graduate Studies

Prior to offering a student a place in the Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries and Master of Creative Industries, JMC must provide to TEQSA evidence of the appointment of a suitably qualified Head of Department, Department of Graduate Studies.

The appointee must possess:

1. a PhD in Creative Industries or a related discipline
2. demonstrated experience in supervising postgraduate degree practice-led research
3. demonstrated leadership in the development of a culture of scholarship
4. demonstrated experience in overseeing the development and coordination of academic programs, and
5. distinguished postgraduate teaching record in the Creative Industries or a related discipline.

Condition 2: Academic staff teaching the GDCI and MCI

Not later than four weeks prior to the commencement of each teaching period for the Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries and Master of Creative Industries, in relation to each staff member at each location proposed to teach one or more units in the Courses, JMC must provide TEQSA with:

1. the name of each staff member intended to deliver each unit in the Courses
2. the units proposed to be taught and delivery location
3. each staff member's qualifications in the discipline of the course being taught
4. if a staff member does not hold a qualification in a relevant discipline at least one AQF level above the course in which they are teaching, details of the basis on which JMC determined that the staff member holds professional experience equivalent to such a qualification, and
5. if the staff member is intended to teach or supervise students within the Exegesis 1 & 2 and Graduate Research units
   
   1. a summary of the research activity undertaken by the staff member within the past two years
   2. details of the basis on which JMC determined that the staff member holds the requisite research and supervisory experience to perform these duties.

Condition 3: Academic Staff Qualifications and Experience Policy

By 31 March 2018, JMC must provide TEQSA with:

1. a revised version of its Academic Staff Qualifications and Experience Policy which ensures that all teaching staff are qualified to at least one AQF qualification level higher than the course of study being taught by them or have equivalent professional experience. The revised Policy must set out that professional experience must give those staff the skills, knowledge and capacity to apply skills and knowledge equivalent to an AQF qualification one level above the AQF qualification level being taught and the basis upon which that decision will be made, and
2. minutes of its Academic Board meeting and (if applicable) Governing Council meeting which record the consideration, discussion and approval of the revised policy prior to its submission to TEQSA.

Condition 4: Information about the admission of students into the MCI

Within 2 weeks following the commencement of each teaching period for the Master of Creative Industries, in relation to each student admitted into the Courses, JMC must provide TEQSA with information which describes:

1. the basis upon which the admission decision for each student was made including, where relevant, the education qualification or other criteria which formed the basis for the student's admission, and
2. where applicable, how the assessment rubric within the Admission Procedure has been applied to each admission decision.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that the courses submitted by JMC Pty. Limited may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011:

• PCAS 3 in relation to admissions criteria ensuring that students have adequate prior knowledge and skills to undertake the courses of study successfully.
• PCAS 4 and 5 in relation to the staffing profile and qualification levels of teaching staff at each campus location.

TEQSA's assessment considered JMC Pty. Limited's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by JMC Pty. Limited

On 20 October 2017, a delegate of TEQSA accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries (GDCI) offered by JMC Pty. Limited (JMC) for a period of four years until 20 October 2021.

On 23 October 2017, a delegate of TEQSA:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the Master of Creative Industries (MCI) offered by JMC Pty. Limited (JMC) for a period of four years until 20 October 2021
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, four conditions on the accreditation of the Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries and Master of Creative Industries.

On 10 January 2018, a delegate of TEQSA varied conditions 3 and 4. The revised conditions 3 and 4 are set out below.

Condition 1:Head of Department, Department of Graduate Studies

Prior to offering a student a place in the Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries and Master of Creative Industries, JMC must provide to TEQSA evidence of the appointment of a suitably qualified Head of Department, Department of Graduate Studies.

The appointee must possess:

1. a PhD in Creative Industries or a related discipline
2. demonstrated experience in supervising postgraduate degree practice-led research
3. demonstrated leadership in the development of a culture of scholarship
4. demonstrated experience in overseeing the development and coordination of academic programs, and
5. distinguished postgraduate teaching record in the Creative Industries or a related discipline.

Condition 2: Academic staff teaching the GDCI and MCI

Not later than four weeks prior to the commencement of each teaching period for the Graduate Diploma of Creative Industries and Master of Creative Industries, in relation to each staff member at each location proposed to teach one or more units in the Courses, JMC must provide TEQSA with:

1. the name of each staff member intended to deliver each unit in the Courses
2. the units proposed to be taught and delivery location
3. each staff member's qualifications in the discipline of the course being taught
4. if a staff member does not hold a qualification in a relevant discipline at least one AQF level above the course in which they are teaching, details of the basis on which JMC determined that the staff member holds professional experience equivalent to such a qualification, and
5. if the staff member is intended to teach or supervise students within the Exegesis 1 & 2 and Graduate Research units
   
   1. a summary of the research activity undertaken by the staff member within the past two years
   2. details of the basis on which JMC determined that the staff member holds the requisite research and supervisory experience to perform these duties.

Condition 3: Academic Staff Qualifications and Experience Policy

By 31 March 2018, JMC must provide TEQSA with:

1. a revised version of its Academic Staff Qualifications and Experience Policy which ensures that all teaching staff are qualified to at least one AQF qualification level higher than the course of study being taught by them or have equivalent professional experience. The revised Policy must set out that professional experience must give those staff the skills, knowledge and capacity to apply skills and knowledge equivalent to an AQF qualification one level above the AQF qualification level being taught and the basis upon which that decision will be made, and
2. minutes of its Academic Board meeting and (if applicable) Governing Council meeting which record the consideration, discussion and approval of the revised policy prior to its submission to TEQSA.

Condition 4: Information about the admission of students into the MCI

Within 2 weeks following the commencement of each teaching period for the Master of Creative Industries, in relation to each student admitted into the Courses, JMC must provide TEQSA with information which describes:

1. the basis upon which the admission decision for each student was made including, where relevant, the education qualification or other criteria which formed the basis for the student's admission, and
2. where applicable, how the assessment rubric within the Admission Procedure has been applied to each admission decision.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that the courses submitted by JMC Pty. Limited may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011:

• PCAS 3 in relation to admissions criteria ensuring that students have adequate prior knowledge and skills to undertake the courses of study successfully.
• PCAS 4 and 5 in relation to the staffing profile and qualification levels of teaching staff at each campus location.

TEQSA's assessment considered JMC Pty. Limited's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Revocation of accreditation conditions

Report on revocation of conditions imposed on accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Sheridan College

On 14 June 2016 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, 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 Sheridan College:

• Diploma of Arts
• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Science

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the condition has been met.

Revocation of accreditation conditions

Report on revocation of conditions imposed on accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Sheridan College

On 14 June 2016 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, 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 Sheridan College:

• Diploma of Arts
• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Science

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the condition has been met.

Revocation of accreditation conditions

Report on revocation of conditions imposed on accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Sheridan College

On 14 June 2016 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, 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 Sheridan College:

• Diploma of Arts
• Diploma of Business
• Diploma of Science

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the condition has been met.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of four higher education courses of study offered by the International College of Management, Sydney

On 30 January 2018, 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 the International College of Management, Sydney for a period of seven years until 30 January 2025:

• Diploma Sports Management (High Performance)
• Diploma of Business Management

On 30 January 2018, the following two courses were accredited for a period of four years until 30 January 2022.

• Master of Event Management
• Graduate Certificate in Event Management

Main reasons for the decision

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

TEQSA made the decision to accredit two Event Management courses for less than the maximum seven years on the basis that this was consistent with the basic principles of risk, proportionality and necessity.

TEQSA considered there to be residual risks associated with the extent to which staff will be suitably qualified in accordance with Provider Course Accreditation Standard (PCAS) 4.2, the extent to which work integrated learning components will ensure achievement of course and student learning outcomes (PCAS 4.5) and the effective implementation of and action in response to benchmarking initiatives (PCAS 5.5).

The evidence provided in response to the draft Assessment Report was sufficient to be satisfied that the courses meet the relevant PCAS but ongoing risks in these areas remain. TEQSA therefore considered it necessary to review the extent to which ICMS has applied its internal quality assurance mechanisms to ensure adequate management of these risks within a four year accreditation period.

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