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.

Course accreditation

Report on revocation of condition of accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd

On 24 November 2017 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, the condition imposed on the accreditation of the following courses offered by Victorian Institute of Technology (refer public report of 5 September 2017):

• Master of Business Administration
• Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
• Graduate Certificate of Business Administration

The decision to revoke the condition was made on the basis that the delegate was satisfied that the conditions had been met.

Course accreditation

Report on revocation of condition of accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Victorian Institute of Technology Pty Ltd

On 24 November 2017 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, the condition imposed on the accreditation of the following courses offered by Victorian Institute of Technology (refer public report of 5 September 2017):

• Master of Business Administration
• Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
• Graduate Certificate of Business Administration

The decision to revoke the condition was made on the basis that the delegate was satisfied that the conditions had been met.

Self-accrediting authority

Report on authority of Top Education Group Pty Ltd to self-accredit courses of study

On 9 May 2018 TEQSA authorised, under section 41 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Top Education Group Pty Ltd to self-accredit courses of study in the Broad Field of Education 08 Management and Commerce at Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) levels 5 - 9.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the application for self-accrediting authority of courses of study in the management and commerce field of education submitted by Top Education Group Pty Ltd meets the Criteria for Authorising 'Self-Accrediting Authority, of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of University of Southern Queensland (USQ)

On 26 April 2018, TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of the University of Southern Queensland in the category of Australian University, for a period of seven years until 26 April 2025.
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of the University of Southern Queensland.

Condition 1: Governance and accountability reporting obligations

By 30 September in 2019, 2020 and 2021 USQ must provide TEQSA with a copy of the approved minutes of each meeting of its Council and Academic Board for the previous 12 months. These minutes must:

1. For the minutes of the Council, demonstrate that the governing Council has monitored and reviewed:
1. the effectiveness of its delegations, including regular reporting on the roles and effectiveness of delegations for academic governance (including the monitoring of teaching and research performance data) and consideration of the annual self-review of the Academic Board;
2. the effectiveness of risk management, including the consideration and approval of a risk register which specifically addresses risks associated with the delivery of educational services through external parties.
2. For the minutes of the Academic Board, demonstrate that:
1. the Academic Board regularly receives a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of rates and trends for student attrition, progression, and minimum time completion rates, for each higher education course USQ offers each semester. The analysis must include accurate data on student attrition, completion, progression, grade distribution and include analysis by:
1. entry path (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway, including by external partner);
2. study mode (online, on campus, supported external delivery)
3. education agent;
4. country of origin;
5. referral to and uptake of student support (including participation in formal study support programs); and
6. student achievement in similar courses at other Australian universities.
2. the Academic Board develops comprehensive action plans to address any issues identified through the comprehensive diagnostic analysis in accordance with 1(b)(i), and undertakes periodic monitoring of the effectiveness of any interventions.
3. the Academic Board reviews its own performance and the effectiveness of its role in academic governance, including:
1. course accreditation, academic quality, and assurance of learning;
2. an annual self-review; and
3. consideration of these matters in light of teaching and research performance data.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made the decision to renew the provider's registration on the basis that it was satisfied that the University of Southern Queensland continues to meet the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011.

TEQSA made the decision to impose one condition in light of risks that the University of Southern Queensland may not continue to meet the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011:

1. Provider Registration Standard 3.8 in relation to corporate and academic governance, especially with regard to delivery with other parties.
2. Provider Registration Standard 4.5 in relation to effective systems for overseeing the education quality and academic outcomes of students enrolled through arrangements with other parties.
3. Provider Registration Standard 5.6 in relation to sufficiently detailed cohort analysis to enable appropriate comparison and benchmarking of performance on teaching and learning outcomes.

TEQSA considers that following the re-shaping of the governance structure in January 2018, the University of Southern Queensland is making good progress in developing a detailed analysis and reporting structure to enable the University to carry out detailed analysis of student performance and implement timely and appropriate support.

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

Withdrawal of registration

Report on application to withdraw registration by Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Pty Limited

A delegate has determined, under subsection 43(2) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), to grant the application from Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Pty Limited to withdraw its registration as a Higher Education Provider, with effect from 27 October 2017.

Main Reasons for the Decision

The TEQSA delegate was satisfied that it is appropriate to allow the registration of Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Pty Limited to be withdrawn as the provider demonstrated that all higher education operations had ceased.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Australian Institute of Business and Management

On 4 May 2018, a delegate of TEQSA:

• accredited, under section 49 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the following course offered by Australian Institute of Business and Management, for a period of four years until 4 May 2022:
• Bachelor of Information Technology
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the accreditation of the Bachelor of Information Technology.

Condition: Academic Leadership

Australian Institute of Business and Management Pty Ltd must not enrol students in or commence delivery of the Bachelor of Information Technology until TEQSA notifies the provider that TEQSA is satisfied that the provider has appointed a suitably qualified Head of Program.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision in light of risks that the course submitted by the Australian Institute of Business and Management may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 3.2.3a in relation to staff with academic oversight being equipped with the knowledge in the discipline or field, which is informed by continuing scholarship or research or advances in practice.

This is the first course to be delivered in the Information Technology field of education by the Australian Institute of Business and Management. TEQSA's assessment considered the Australian Institute of Business and Management's arrangements for delivery at its Australian site.