Registration

Report on registration AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd

On 25 September 2019, TEQSA:

• granted, under section 21 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the application by AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd for registration in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of five years until 25 September 2024
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd:

Condition 1: Academic Staffing

AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd (AIBI HE) must not enrol students in, or commence delivery of, the Bachelor of International Business or the Bachelor of Business (Enterprise Management Systems) until AIBI HE satisfies TEQSA that it has appointed suitably qualified academic leaders, engaged to teach and provide academic leadership, namely, two Program Coordinators for the Bachelor of International Business and the Bachelor of Business (Enterprise Management Systems). TEQSA will notify AIBI HE in writing when this condition has been met and the provider can enrol students in these courses.

• accredited, under section 49 of the TEQSA Act, the following courses offered by AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd for a period of five years until 25 September 2024:
  • Bachelor of International Business
  • Bachelor of Business (Enterprise Management Systems).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of the risk that AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, Standard 3.2.3 of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 32 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

Registration

Report on registration AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd

On 25 September 2019, TEQSA:

• granted, under section 21 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the application by AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd for registration in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of five years until 25 September 2024
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd:

Condition 1: Academic Staffing

AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd (AIBI HE) must not enrol students in, or commence delivery of, the Bachelor of International Business or the Bachelor of Business (Enterprise Management Systems) until AIBI HE satisfies TEQSA that it has appointed suitably qualified academic leaders, engaged to teach and provide academic leadership, namely, two Program Coordinators for the Bachelor of International Business and the Bachelor of Business (Enterprise Management Systems). TEQSA will notify AIBI HE in writing when this condition has been met and the provider can enrol students in these courses.

• accredited, under section 49 of the TEQSA Act, the following courses offered by AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd for a period of five years until 25 September 2024:
  • Bachelor of International Business
  • Bachelor of Business (Enterprise Management Systems).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of the risk that AIBI Higher Education Pty Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, Standard 3.2.3 of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 32 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

Registration

Report on registration of Coleraine Share Trading Pty Ltd

On 9 October 2019, TEQSA:

• granted, under section 21 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the application by Coleraine Share Trading Pty Ltd for registration in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of five years until 9 October 2024.
• accredited, under section 49 of the TEQSA Act, the Bachelor of Accounting offered by Coleraine Share Trading Pty Ltd for a period of five years until 9 October 2024.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions on the basis that it was satisfied that Coleraine Share Trading Pty Ltd meets the Provider Registration Standards and Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

Registration

Report on registration of Coleraine Share Trading Pty Ltd

On 9 October 2019, TEQSA:

• granted, under section 21 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the application by Coleraine Share Trading Pty Ltd for registration in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of five years until 9 October 2024.
• accredited, under section 49 of the TEQSA Act, the Bachelor of Accounting offered by Coleraine Share Trading Pty Ltd for a period of five years until 9 October 2024.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions on the basis that it was satisfied that Coleraine Share Trading Pty Ltd meets the Provider Registration Standards and Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of the University of Tasmania

On 25 September 2019 TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of the University of Tasmania in the category of Australian University, for a period of seven years until 25 September 2026.
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, two (2) conditions on the registration of the University of Tasmania.

Condition 1: Student Performance Reporting

By 30 June of each year of registration from 2020, the University of Tasmania must provide to TEQSA a copy of the approved minutes of each meeting of the Academic Senate for the previous 12 months. The minutes must demonstrate that the Academic Senate:

1. receives a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of rates and trends in student performance data, including progression rates, attrition rates and completion times and rates. The diagnostic analysis must include (but is not limited to) calculations for these 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), including the means by which English language proficiency is assessed
4. study mode
5. location of study (including sites operated by third parties and offshore)
6. education agent
7. country of origin
8. comparative 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 1a, and undertakes periodic monitoring of the effectiveness of any interventions
3. reports outcomes of Condition 1a and 1b to the Council for consideration and action.

Condition 2: Policy Framework

By 30 June of each year of registration from 2020, the University of Tasmania must provide to TEQSA evidence of implementation of a program of reviews of the University's full suite of policies and procedures to ensure that the University's policy framework is current and effective.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA found that the University of Tasmania has demonstrated:

1. a commitment to access and social equity for Tasmanians, consistent with its social mission as a university of and for Tasmania
2. extensive student support offering numerous initiatives such as the University College model to support students from non-traditional backgrounds to succeed in higher education
3. a sound commitment to continuous improvement of its learning, teaching and research activities

However, TEQSA made the decision to impose two conditions in light of risks that the University of Tasmania may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 5.3 of Part A, in relation to course monitoring and review
2. Section 6.2 of Part A, in relation to corporate monitoring and accountability
3. Section 6.3 of Part A, in relation to academic governance.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 32 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Torrens University Australia Ltd

On 25 September 2019 TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Torrens University Australia Ltd in the category of Australian University, for a period of five years until 25 September 2024.
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, four conditions on the registration of Torrens University Australia Ltd.

Condition 1. Student Performance Reporting

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

1. receives and considers a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of rates and trends in student performance including attrition, progression, course completion times, and variations in the attainment of course learning outcomes and grade distributions. The diagnostic analysis must include (but not be 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, including the means by which English language proficiency is assessed
4. study mode
5. location of study
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, including any necessary investment in infrastructure and learning resources to address the needs of a growing student body and any issues identified through the diagnostic analysis carried out in accordance with Condition 1a, and undertakes periodic monitoring of the effectiveness of any interventions undertaken in accordance with the action plans
3. reports outcomes of Condition 1a and 1b to the Council for consideration and action.

Condition 2. Growth and Quality

By 28 February of each year of registration, Torrens must submit a report providing forecasts of student recruitment and growth and the rationale and basis for this forecast, with evidence of review and approval by the Academic and Governing Boards. The report must show evidence of how academic quality is to be ensured in line with the forecast growth and must address:

1. monitoring of admission decisions to ensure that all admitted students have the academic preparation and proficiency in English needed to participate in their intended study
2. building the staff complement to meet the educational, research, academic support and administrative needs of students
3. maintenance of academic and research integrity, and
4. assurance of the quality of teaching, learning, research and research training.

Condition 3. Monitoring, Review and Improvement

By 28 February of each year of registration, Torrens must submit to TEQSA reports on all comprehensive course reviews, showing that the courses have been reviewed in accordance with the five-year schedule and with evidence of review by the Academic Board. The reviews must:

1. show evidence of significant input from qualified internal and external academic experts in the field of the course being reviewed
2. show evidence of external benchmarking
3. confirm the basis on which the courses (as amended in accordance with the reviews) engage with advanced knowledge and inquiry consistent with the level of study and the expected learning outcomes.

Condition 4. Research and Scholarship

By 28 February of each year of registration, Torrens must submit annual reports on research and scholarly outputs, showing progress against the Research Strategic Plan and each of the recommendations of the external review report A Review of Research at Torrens, and showing progressive increases towards achieving proposed targets in the Research Strategic Plan.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA has found that Torrens University Australia Ltd has demonstrated:

1. an emphasis on student retention which includes plans for targeted support appropriate to the varying needs of its students
2. an emergent commitment to and investment in increasing research performance, and
3. a focus on engagement with industry and other stakeholder groups in course development.

However, TEQSA made the decision to impose four conditions in light of risks that Torrens University Australia Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Section 3.2 of Part A, in relation to the academic staffing profile
2. Sections 5.1 and 5.3 of Part A, in relation to:
1. consistent and mature course approval processes
2. course monitoring, review and improvement
3. Sections 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 of Part A, in relation to
1. corporate governance
2. corporate monitoring and accountability
3. academic governance
4. Section 6.2.1b in conjunction with Section 1.2 of Part B, in relation to
1. the ability to set realistic targets to achieve the volume of research expected of an Australian University
2. the volume of sustained scholarship which informs teaching and learning in all fields in which courses of study are offered
3. the maturity of internal processes for quality assurance and the maintenance of academic standards and academic integrity.

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 32 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the registration of a higher education provider, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Le Cordon Bleu Australia Pty Limited

On 8 May 2019, TEQSA agreed to orders made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) under which:

• the registration of Le Cordon Bleu Australia Pty Limited (LCBA) as a higher education provider is renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act), for a period until 30 June 2025 in the provider category of 'Higher Education Provider'.
• five conditions have been imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, on the registration of LCBA. A copy of the conditions is available at attachment A.

Background

LCBA applied to TEQSA for renewal of its registration under Part 3 of the TEQSA Act.

TEQSA considered LCBA's application and provided a draft assessment report with details of the assessment of LCBA's application by the responsible assessment team. TEQSA's Commission considered LCBA's response to the draft report and made decisions to reject LCBA's application for renewal of registration and impose conditions on its registration on 7 September 2017, on the basis that it was not satisfied that LCBA met the Threshold Standards.

LCBA applied for review of TEQSA's decisions in the AAT. In the course of the proceedings, LCBA made submissions and provided further information and evidence about the matters raised in TEQSA's decisions.

It is well established that absent a specific legislative provision to the contrary, the AAT is generally required to make a decision on review based on the evidence available at the time of the AAT's decision on review, and that the AAT is not confined to the evidence available at the time of the primary decision. Accordingly, TEQSA accepted that the AAT was required to take account of the further material submitted to TEQSA after TEQSA had rejected LCBA's application.

Main reasons for the decision

After reviewing the further material submitted by LCBA, TEQSA was prepared to agree to the renewal of LCBA's registration. However, TEQSA considered that there remained a number of risks related to LCBA's capacity to meet the Threshold Standards in the future.

On this basis, TEQSA agreed that it was appropriate to substitute TEQSA's initial rejection of the application with decisions to register LCBA until 30 June 2025 and to impose five conditions on LCBA's registration.

The conditions are designed to address the need for LCBA to:

1. Ensure the staffing complement for each course of study is sufficient to meet the educational, academic support and administrative needs of student cohorts undertaking the course across LCBA's Delivery Partners.
2. Undertake a comprehensive review of its Bachelor of Business (International Hotel Management), Bachelor of Business (International Restaurant Management), Master of International Hospitality Management and Bachelor of Business (Food Entrepreneurship) courses.
3. Arrange for an external audit of LCBA's arrangements for the delivery of its accredited higher education courses by its Delivery Partners, and develop a plan for periodic audits of compliance with LCBA's agreements with its Delivery Partners.
4. Identify and address risks and trends in student performance by conducting internal and external moderation exercises and a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for each accredited higher education course LCBA offers.
5. Arrange for a suitably qualified and independent expert to review the effectiveness of LCBA's governing body and academic governance processes.

TEQSA is satisfied that these conditions will provide an appropriate framework for TEQSA to oversee LCBA's approach to dealing with these issues.

Attachment 1

Pursuant to subsection 42C(2) of the of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (AAT Act), the Tribunal set aside TEQSA's decisions made on 7 September 2017 to reject the LCBA's application for renewal of its registration and impose conditions on its registration.

Under paragraph 43(1)(c) of the AAT Act, the Tribunal imposed the following conditions on the registration of LCBA, pursuant to subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act:

Condition 1

By 30 November 2019, LCBA must:

1. Develop in cooperation with the third parties contracted by it to deliver its accredited higher education courses (Delivery Partners), review and adopt a workforce plan (Workforce Plan) direct to (but not limited to) ensuring compliance by it with section 3.2 of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 (Standards).
2. Provide TEQSA with a copy of the Workforce Plan together with evidence of its endorsement by the Academic Board and adoption by the Corporate Board of LCBA.

Condition 2

By 30 November 2019, LCBA must:

1. Undertake, and provide to TEQSA, a comprehensive review of each of the following higher education courses, in accordance with section 5.3 of Part A of the Standards:
   
   1. Bachelor of Business (International Hotel Management);
   2. Bachelor of Business (International Restaurant Management);
   3. Master of International Hospitality Management; and
   4. Bachelor of Business (Food Entrepreneurship).
2. Provide TEQSA with a plan, approved by LCBA's Academic Board, describing the steps LCBA will take to respond to any issues identified by the reviews at condition 2A.
3. Provide TEQSA with a schedule for further comprehensive reviews of its courses, together with evidence that the schedule has been approved by LCBA's Academic Board.

Condition 3

LCBA must:

1. By 30 June 2019, provide TEQSA with:
   
   1. evidence of an external audit (Audit) of its arrangements for the delivery of its accredited higher education courses by its Delivery Partners undertaken within the last 12 months, including but not limited to compliance by Delivery Partners with their obligations under the contracts pursuant to which they deliver LCBA's courses (Delivery and Licence Agreements), adherence by the Delivery Partners with the policies and procedures of LCBA and satisfaction of the requirements of the Standards (Compliance); and
   2. evidence of LCBA's response to the Audit including details of any actions to be taken in response to the Audit (and any noncompliance identified in that process) and the endorsement and approval of those actions by the Academic Board and the Corporate Board of LCBA.
2. By 30 November 2019, provide TEQSA with LCBA's plan for further periodic internal and external audit of Compliance (or any aspect of compliance) on the part of Delivery Partners with their obligations under the Delivery and Licence Agreements, approved by the Corporate Board.
3. Within 4 years of the date of orders made by the Tribunal, provide TEQSA with evidence:
   
   1. that it has (within the immediately preceding 12 months) conducted an independent review of its arrangements for the delivery of its accredited higher education courses by its Delivery Partners and of their Compliance; and
   2. of LCBA's response to the external review including details of any actions to be taken in response (and any non-compliance identified in that process) and the endorsement and approval of those actions by the Academic Board and the Corporate Board of LCBA.

Condition 4

By 30 November of each year in which it is registered as a higher education provider, LCBA must provide TEQSA with evidence that, in the previous 12 months:

1. LCBA has conducted internal assessment moderation for all units in each accredited course that have been delivered in the preceding 12 months with that internal moderation to be conducted in respect of a sample of completed assessments in each unit in each of the accredited higher education courses by more than one person;
2. the outcomes of and recommendations from such internal moderation (including without limitation recommendations for improvements to assessment design or practice) have been considered by either or both of LCBA's Academic Board or Corporate Board and identified, addressed, resolved or otherwise acted upon by LCBA;
3. LCBA has engaged independent external moderators to conduct a moderation of a statistically representative sample of assessments (satisfactory to the external moderators) in at least 8 units selected from accredited courses so as to ensure that all units in all courses have been externally moderated at least once in the three years cycle of which each course is delivered;
4. the outcomes of and recommendations from such external moderation (including without limitation recommendations for improvements to assessment design or practice) have been considered by either or both of LCBA's Academic Board or Corporate Board and identified, addressed, resolved or otherwise acted upon by LCBA;
5. LCBA has conducted a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for grade distributions and student attrition, progression and minimum time completion rates, for each accredited higher education course it offers. The analysis must be undertaken by reference to:
   
   1. entry path (comparing students admitted under each entry pathway);
   2. recognition of credit (comparing students admitted without recognition of prior credit to students admitted with credit for up to a third of the course and up to half of the course);
   3. equivalent full time study mode (comparing students who take less than equivalent full time study load, exactly an equivalent full time study load or greater than an equivalent full time study load);
   4. place of study; and
   5. whether students are domestic or international students;
6. LCBA's Academic Board or Corporate Board has reviewed and developed a response to the diagnostic analysis referred to in Condition 4E that has been approved by LCBA's Corporate Board.

Note: Notwithstanding the requirements of conditions 4A to F, after the provision by LCBA of the second of the reports required by this condition, TEQSA may determine that it is not necessary for LCBA to provide some or all of the information or evidence that would otherwise be required by this condition.

Condition 5

Within 4 years of the date of orders made by the Tribunal, LCBA must provide evidence that a suitably qualified and independent expert has conducted an independent review of the effectiveness of its governing body and academic governance processes in accordance with paragraph 6.1.3(d) of the Standards.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Tabor College Incorporated

On 28 June 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 Tabor College Incorporated, for a period of seven years until 28 June 2026:
  • Bachelor of Music
• imposed, under section 53 of the TEQSA Act, two conditions on the accreditation of the Bachelor of Music.

Condition 1: Learning Environment

Tabor may not commence delivery of the Bachelor of Music until TEQSA notifies Tabor that it is satisfied that the teaching facilities are fit for purpose and will provide students with the opportunity to meet the learning outcomes of the course accredited.

Condition 2: Representation of Graduate Outcomes and Pathways

Tabor must provide evidence to satisfy TEQSA that the representation of the Special Authority to Teach as an Instrumental Instructor and any pathways into accredited initial teacher education courses is compliant with the Teacher Registration Board of South Australia (TRBSA) requirements.

Main reasons for the decision

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

1. Section 2.1 of Part A, in relation to the learning environment
2. Sections 7.1 of Part A, in relation to representation of graduate outcomes and pathways

Extension of accreditation period

Report on extension of accreditation of a higher education course of study offered by the Queensland Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd

On 19 June 2019 TEQSA extended, under section 57A of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the period of accreditation for the Diploma of Information Technology offered by the Queensland Institute of Business and Technology Pty Ltd from 22 November 2020 until 31 July 2021.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision to extend the accreditation on the basis that it enables the provider to harmonise periods of accreditation for courses of study in related fields of education. The accreditation the Diploma of Information Technology has not been previously extended by TEQSA.