Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by ISN Psychology Pty Ltd

On 24 April 2019, 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 ISN Psychology Pty Ltd, for a period of seven years until 24 April 2026:
  • Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the accreditation of the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies.

Condition 1: Professional Accreditation

1. ISN Psychology Pty Ltd must not enrol any students in the Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies until it has obtained from the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council the accreditation status of 'Conditional Accreditation' for these accredited courses of study.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that the course submitted by ISN Psychology Pty Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 3.1.5 of Part A, in relation to professional accreditation

TEQSA's assessment considered ISN Psychology Pty Ltd's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Revocation of registration conditions

Report on revocation of conditions imposed on registration of Southern Cross Education Institute (Higher Education) Pty Ltd

On 23 April 2019 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 32 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Conditions 3 and 4 imposed on the registration of Southern Cross Education Institute (Higher Education) Pty Ltd (refer public report of 30 November 2017).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the conditions have been met.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Australian Guild of Music Education Inc.

On 3 April 2019, TEQSA renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Australian Guild of Music Education Inc. in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of seven years until 3 April 2026.

Main reasons for the decision

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

TEQSA found that Australian Guild of Music Education Inc. has demonstrated a commitment to:

1. building robust governance functions and processes
2. strengthening academic oversight of the quality of teaching and learning
3. improving its academic leadership.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of course of study offered by Australian Guild of Music Education Inc.

On 3 April 2019, TEQSA renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the Bachelor of Music offered by Australian Guild of Music Education Inc., for a period of seven years until 3 April 2026.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the course submitted by Australian Guild of Music Education Inc. for renewal of accreditation continues to meet the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Charles Sturt University

On 3 April 2019 TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Charles Sturt University (CSU) in the category of Australian University, for a period of four years until 3 April 2023.
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, six conditions on the registration of CSU.

Condition 1: Academic Risk Management

By 28 February of each year of registration, CSU must provide TEQSA with a copy of the approved minutes of each meeting of the Council for the previous 12 months. The meeting minutes must demonstrate that the Council has:

1. ensured the identification of academic risks to the higher education operations of the University, including academic risks inherent in third party arrangements
2. ensured that academic risks are managed and mitigated effectively.

Condition 2: Student Performance Reporting

By 28 February of each year of registration, CSU must provide TEQSA with a copy of the approved minutes of each meeting of the Academic Senate for the previous 12 months. The meeting minutes must demonstrate that the Academic Senate:

1. regularly receives a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of rates and trends in student performance including attrition, progression, minimum course completion times, and variations in the attainment of course learning outcomes and grade distributions. The diagnostic analysis must include (but is not limited to) calculations for attrition and progression rates as defined in the TEQSA Risk Assessment Framework, and include analysis of student performance by:
1. course of study
2. study periods
3. entry pathway (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway including through third party arrangements)
4. study mode
5. location of study (including sites operated by third parties)
6. education agent
7. country of origin
8. student achievement in similar courses at other Australian universities
2. ensures the development of comprehensive action plans to address any issues identified through the diagnostic analysis done in accordance with Condition 2a, and undertakes periodic monitoring of the effectiveness of any interventions
3. reports outcomes of Condition 2a and 2b to the Council for consideration and action.

Condition 3: Academic Governance Processes

By 28 February of each year of registration, CSU must provide TEQSA with a report on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the 2018 external review of academic governance. The report must demonstrate progress toward implementation of the recommendations against deadlines.

Condition 4: Academic Misconduct

By 28 February of each year of registration, CSU must provide TEQSA with a report analysing instances and causes of academic misconduct, and the effective management and mitigation of the identified academic misconduct during the previous 12 months. The report must consider trends in academic misconduct (covering at least three years) as well as actions taken with reference to course of study, student cohort, entry pathway, location of study (including any third party delivery sites), mode of study, country of origin, status of actions, outcomes and time taken.

Condition 5: Academic Integrity and Quality at the CSU Study Centres

CSU must:

1. from the date it is notified of this decision, not enrol any commencing student in a course of study to be delivered at the CSU Study Centres operated by Study Group Australia (SGA) or offer a student a place in a course of study to be delivered at the CSU Study Centres operated by SGA, and the University must maintain this restriction until it is notified that TEQSA is satisfied that the University has implemented controls to ensure academic integrity and quality at the CSU Study Centres operated by SGA
2. provide TEQSA by 1 August 2019 with evidence that the University has established controls at the CSU Study Centres operated by SGA that are directly overseen by CSU academic staff. The controls must:
1. ensure the maintenance of academic integrity
2. ensure reliable and valid assessment of student achievement and recording of student marks
3. be considered and approved by the Academic Senate and the Council
3. provide TEQSA by 1 August each year of registration after 2019 with evidence of a comprehensive analysis of breaches of academic integrity (in accordance with Condition 5b) at the CSU Study Centres operated by SGA, and proposed actions to address underlying issues and to ensure academic quality. This evidence must demonstrate that the analysis and the actions have been considered and approved by the Academic Senate and the Council.

Condition 6: Scholarship Activities of Staff at the CSU Study Centres

CSU must:

1. by 30 August 2019, conduct an external and independent review of the scholarly outputs for all teaching staff and staff with oversight of teaching at the CSU Study Centres operated by SGA. The name and details of the professional experience of the proposed external reviewer along with the terms of reference and timeframe for the review are to be provided to TEQSA for approval within 30 days from the date CSU is notified of this decision
2. by 29 November 2019, provide TEQSA with a copy of the report of the external review of scholarly activities of staff at the CSU Study Centres operated by SGA and matching action plan as approved by the Council
3. by 30 August of each year of registration after 2019, provide TEQSA with a progress report on the implementation of the action plan in Condition 6b.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that CSU may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011:

1. Provider Registration Standards (PRS) 3.4, 3.7 and 3.8 in relation to corporate and academic governance
2. Provider Registration Standard (PRS) 4.3 in relation to protecting academic integrity through effective prevention, detection and management of academic misconduct
3. Provider Registration Standard (PRS) 4.5 in relation to managing and quality assuring course delivery via third party arrangements, specifically in the context of the CSU Study Centres operated through a third party arrangement with Study Group Australia
4. Provider Registration Standards (PRS) 5.6 and 6.5 in relation to the monitoring of and reporting on teaching and learning outcomes to inform decision making on improvements to its higher education operations and identification of the learning needs of varying student cohorts
5. Provider Category Standards (PCS) 1.4 and 2.5 in relation to the scholarly activities of teaching staff at the CSU Study Centres operated through a third party arrangement with Study Group Australia.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by the Australian College of Nursing

On 29 April 2019, 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 Australian College of Nursing, for a period of seven years until 29 April 2026:

• Graduate Certificate in Dermatology Nursing
• Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Nursing.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the courses submitted by the Australian College of Nursing for accreditation meets the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by the Australian College of Nursing

On 29 April 2019, 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 Australian College of Nursing, for a period of seven years until 29 April 2026:

• Graduate Certificate in Dermatology Nursing
• Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Nursing.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the courses submitted by the Australian College of Nursing for accreditation meets the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

Revocation and variation of registration conditions

Report on revocation and variation of conditions imposed on registration of Charles Sturt University

On 10 May 2019 a delegate of TEQSA made the following decisions, under section 32 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), in relation to conditions imposed on the registration of Charles Sturt University (refer to public report of 3 April 2019):

1. Revoke Condition 5.
2. Vary Condition 3 to read as follows:

Condition 3. Academic Governance Processes

1. By 28 February of each year of registration, CSU must provide TEQSA with a report on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the 2018 external review of academic governance. The report must demonstrate progress toward implementation of the recommendations against deadlines.
2. By 1 August of each year of registration, CSU must provide TEQSA with evidence of a comprehensive analysis of breaches of academic integrity at the CSU Study Centres operated by SGA, and proposed actions to address underlying issues and to ensure academic quality. This evidence must demonstrate that the analysis and the actions have been considered and approved by the Academic Senate and the Council.

3. Vary Condition 6 to read as follows:

Condition 6. Scholarship Activities of Staff at the CSU Study Centres

CSU must:

1. by 30 September 2019, conduct an external and independent review of the scholarly outputs for all teaching staff and staff with oversight of teaching at the CSU Study Centres operated by SGA. The name and details of the professional experience of the proposed external reviewer along with the terms of reference and timeframe for the review are to be provided to TEQSA for approval within 30 days from the date CSU is notified of this decision
2. by 29 November 2019, provide TEQSA with a copy of the report of the external review of scholarly activities of staff at the CSU Study Centres operated by SGA and matching action plan (addressing any need for improvements) as approved by the Council
3. by 30 August of each year of registration after 2019, provide TEQSA with a progress report on the implementation of the action plan in Condition 6b.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made the decision to revoke Condition 5 on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that Condition 5a and 5b had been met, on the basis of the evidence submitted by the University on 9 May 2019, and that Condition 5c could be dealt with by a variation to Condition 3.

The decision to vary Conditions 3 and 6 was made on the basis that TEQSA was satisfied that the variations were appropriate, following discussions between TEQSA and the University after the decision to impose conditions on the registration of the University.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Queensland University of Technology

On 17 April 2019, TEQSA renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Queensland University of Technology in the category of Australian University, for a period of seven years until 17 April 2026.

Main reasons for the decision

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

TEQSA found that Queensland University of Technology has demonstrated:

1. a strong governance and accountability framework through robust structures and processes to attend to governance functions diligently and effectively
2. strong academic leadership including effective oversight of academic activities by the University Academic Board and its key committees
3. robust quality assurance processes that ensure quality is maintained, centred around a cycle of continuous improvement that includes a range of performance data and feedback from faculty and students
4. a high standard of record keeping in the form of comprehensive minutes of the meetings of the Council and other key advisory and decision making bodies. These documents enable effective, informed decision making and assurance of implementation of delegations.