Self-accrediting authority

Report on authority of Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd to self-accredit nominated courses of study

On 30 March 2017, TEQSA authorized, under section 41 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd to self-accredit courses of study, at AQF levels 5; 9, in the following fields of education:

• 0903 Studies in Human Society
• 0905 Human Welfare Studies and Services
• 0907 Behavioural Science
• 0911 Justice and Law Enforcement
• 0999 Other Society and Culture

Due to this decision, the following courses previously accredited by TEQSA do not need to be re-accredited by TEQSA. Please visit the provider website for information on the courses it offers.

• Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
• Master of Social Work
• Bachelor of Counselling (Coaching) (formerly Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Coaching))
• Bachelor of Counselling (formerly Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling))
• Associate Degree of Applied Social Science

Main reasons for the decision

Navitas Professional Institute Pty Limited demonstrated to TEQSA that it meets the Threshold Standards, including the criteria for authorising 'self-accrediting authority', in relation to courses of study at AQF levels 5 - 9 in the fields of education identified above.

The scope of the assessment included all Australian sites.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd and renewal of accreditation of nine courses of study

On 30 June 2021 TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Group Colleges Australia in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of four years until 30 June 2025.
• renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses for a period of four years until 30 June 2025:
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
  • Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Business
  • Associate Degree of Business
  • Diploma of Business
  • Bachelor of Accounting
  • Associate Degree of Accounting
  • Diploma of Accounting
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, two conditions on the registration of Group Colleges Australia.

Condition 1: Student performance monitoring

GCA must provide to TEQSA:

1. By 30 June 2022, a report containing a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition for each accredited higher education course it offers, for the period from 2016-2020 inclusive. Data on attrition rates must be calculated in accordance with the definition used in the TEQSA Risk Assessment Framework.
2. By 30 September 2022:
   
   1. evidence that attrition as defined in the TEQSA Risk Assessments and adjusted attrition rates are regularly reported to the GCA Board of Directors and the Academic Senate, and
   2. evidence of the actions and mitigating strategies that have and will be implemented to address the continued high rate of unadjusted attrition.

Condition 2: Scholarship

1. By 31 March 2022, GCA must obtain a report from an independent expert that considers the extent to which GCA academic staff with academic oversight, and those with teaching and supervisory responsibilities, meet the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework to:
   
   1. have the appropriate qualifications and experience for their roles; and
   2. be engaged in continuing scholarship.
2. Prior to engaging the reviewer to perform the review in paragraph 1, GCA must obtain TEQSA's approval for the identity of the reviewer and the terms of reference for the review.

On 30 July 2021 TEQSA:

• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of Group Colleges Australia.

Condition 3: Assessment moderation

By 31 December 2021, GCA must:

1. Engage an independent external moderation expert to prepare and sent to TEQSA a moderation assessment report of a statistically significant representative sample of randomly selected assessments from the Master of Business Administration by the external expert, for each completed subject in each study period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. The report is to contain recommendation(s), if any, on matters associated with the ability of the assessments to accurately reflect students achieving the stated learning outcomes from the assessment.
2. Prior to engaging the expert to complete the moderation assessment report, GCA must obtain TEQSA's approval for the identity of the reviewer and the terms of reference for the report.
3. If recommendation(s) are identified in the moderation assessment report, by 25 February 2022, GCA must provide TEQSA with evidence of the actions and mitigating strategies that have and will be implemented to address the recommendation(s).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 and for Condition 3 only, the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

1. Standard 6.3.2 of Part A, in relation to academic oversight of effective monitoring and initiating action to improve performance against institutional benchmarks for academic quality and outcomes, particularly focusing on the number of students who commence but do not continue their studies with Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd into their second year.
2. Standard 3.2.3 of Part A, in relation to scholarship activities undertaken by staff, and concerns that academic staff are not engaged in adequate levels of scholarly activity.
3. Standard 5.3.4 of Part A, in relation to monitoring, review and improvement activities, particularly in relation to the appropriate moderation of student assessment.

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 Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd and renewal of accreditation of nine courses of study

On 30 June 2021 TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Group Colleges Australia in the category of Higher Education Provider, for a period of four years until 30 June 2025.
• renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses for a period of four years until 30 June 2025:
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Graduate Diploma of Business Administration
  • Graduate Certificate in Business Administration
  • Bachelor of Business
  • Associate Degree of Business
  • Diploma of Business
  • Bachelor of Accounting
  • Associate Degree of Accounting
  • Diploma of Accounting
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, two conditions on the registration of Group Colleges Australia.

Condition 1: Student performance monitoring

GCA must provide to TEQSA:

1. By 30 June 2022, a report containing a comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the probable causes for observed rates and trends for student attrition for each accredited higher education course it offers, for the period from 2016-2020 inclusive. Data on attrition rates must be calculated in accordance with the definition used in the TEQSA Risk Assessment Framework.
2. By 30 September 2022:
   
   1. evidence that attrition as defined in the TEQSA Risk Assessments and adjusted attrition rates are regularly reported to the GCA Board of Directors and the Academic Senate, and
   2. evidence of the actions and mitigating strategies that have and will be implemented to address the continued high rate of unadjusted attrition.

Condition 2: Scholarship

1. By 31 March 2022, GCA must obtain a report from an independent expert that considers the extent to which GCA academic staff with academic oversight, and those with teaching and supervisory responsibilities, meet the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework to:
   
   1. have the appropriate qualifications and experience for their roles; and
   2. be engaged in continuing scholarship.
2. Prior to engaging the reviewer to perform the review in paragraph 1, GCA must obtain TEQSA's approval for the identity of the reviewer and the terms of reference for the review.

On 30 July 2021 TEQSA:

• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, one condition on the registration of Group Colleges Australia.

Condition 3: Assessment moderation

By 31 December 2021, GCA must:

1. Engage an independent external moderation expert to prepare and sent to TEQSA a moderation assessment report of a statistically significant representative sample of randomly selected assessments from the Master of Business Administration by the external expert, for each completed subject in each study period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2021. The report is to contain recommendation(s), if any, on matters associated with the ability of the assessments to accurately reflect students achieving the stated learning outcomes from the assessment.
2. Prior to engaging the expert to complete the moderation assessment report, GCA must obtain TEQSA's approval for the identity of the reviewer and the terms of reference for the report.
3. If recommendation(s) are identified in the moderation assessment report, by 25 February 2022, GCA must provide TEQSA with evidence of the actions and mitigating strategies that have and will be implemented to address the recommendation(s).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 and for Condition 3 only, the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

1. Standard 6.3.2 of Part A, in relation to academic oversight of effective monitoring and initiating action to improve performance against institutional benchmarks for academic quality and outcomes, particularly focusing on the number of students who commence but do not continue their studies with Group Colleges Australia Pty Ltd into their second year.
2. Standard 3.2.3 of Part A, in relation to scholarship activities undertaken by staff, and concerns that academic staff are not engaged in adequate levels of scholarly activity.
3. Standard 5.3.4 of Part A, in relation to monitoring, review and improvement activities, particularly in relation to the appropriate moderation of student assessment.

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.

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Sydney Metropolitan Institute of Technology Pty Ltd

On 4 August 2021, 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 Sydney Metropolitan Institute of Technology Pty Ltd, until 31 December 2021:

• Undergraduate Certificate in Business
• Undergraduate Certificate in Information Technology.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the courses submitted by Sydney Metropolitan Institute of Technology Pty Ltd for accreditation meet the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.

Renewal of registration

Report on renewal of registration of Adelaide Central School of Art Incorporated

On 25 August 2021 TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 36 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the registration of Adelaide Central School of Art Incorporated in the category of Institute of Higher Education, for a period of four years until 25 August 2025.
• imposed, under section 32 of the TEQSA Act, two conditions on the registration of Adelaide Central School of Art Incorporated.

Condition 1: Governance

By 1 December 2022, Adelaide Central School of Art Incorporated must:

1. Engage a suitably qualified independent expert, with the agreement of TEQSA as to the identity and terms of reference of the expert, to undertake a review of ACSA's corporate governance arrangements, including:
   
   1. current version of the Rules of the School, including arrangements for ongoing membership and independent members
   2. terms of reference of the sub-committees, including responsibilities for monitoring and reporting to the governing body on risks, including academic risks, to the quality of the provider's higher education operations.
   3. implementation of Three-Year Action Plan improvements, including the external review of ACSA's risk management framework
   4. oversight of the entity's financial position and financial arrangements including loan and lease agreements.
2. provide evidence of the Board of Governors response to the review report and implementation of any recommendations for improvements.

Condition 2: Academic leadership and scholarly activity

1. By no later than 30 June 2022 Adelaide Central School of Art (ACSA) must appoint a suitably qualified person to the position, Head of Studies.
2. By 31 December 2022, ACSA must obtain a report from an independent expert that considers the extent to which ACSA has implemented its scholarly activity framework and the extent to which ACSA academic staff with academic oversight, and those with teaching and supervisory responsibilities, meet the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework to:
   
   1. have appropriate qualifications and experience for their roles; and
   2. be engaged in continuing scholarship.
3. Prior to engaging the reviewer to perform the review in paragraph 2, ACSA must obtain TEQSA's approval for the identity of the reviewer.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made these decisions in light of risks that Adelaide Central School of Art Incorporated may not meet, or continue to meet, the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021:

1. Section 6.1 of Part A, in relation to corporate governance
2. Section 6.2 of Part A, in relation to corporate monitoring and accountability
3. Section 3.2 of Part A in relation to staffing
4. Criteria 1.1 of Part B in relation to teaching staff scholarship activities

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.

Varying registration condition

Report on decision to a vary condition imposed on registration of Acknowledge Education Pty Ltd.

On 25 August 2021 TEQSA varied, under section 32 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Condition 2 imposed on the registration of Acknowledge Education Pty Ltd (refer public report of 30 April 2020).

The varied condition will state:

Condition 2- Student capacity

The maximum number of higher education students to which Acknowledge Education

Pty Ltd may deliver its accredited courses of study may not exceed 2400 students

(headcount) at any time.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it is satisfied the provider has measures in place to mitigate risks associated with increased student enrolments.

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.

Revocation of accreditation conditions

Report on the revocation of conditions imposed on accreditation of seven higher education courses of study offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd.

On 6 September 2021 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 the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 18 July 2017):

• Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Civil Transportation)
• Master of Engineering (Civil Transportation)

On 6 September 2021 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 53 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Condition 2 imposed on the accreditation of the following course offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 18 July 2017):

• Master of Engineering (Civil Transportation)

On 6 September 2021 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 course offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 1 June 2016):

• Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Safety, Risk and Reliability)
• Master of Engineering (Safety, Risk and Reliability)

On 6 September 2021 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 course offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 25 July 2018):

• Master of Engineering (Civil: Railway Infrastructure)

On 6 September 2021 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 53 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Condition 2 imposed on the accreditation of the following course offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 21 December 2016):

• Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Industrial Automation)
• Master of Engineering (Industrial Automation)

Main reasons for the decision

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

Revocation of accreditation conditions

Report on the revocation of conditions imposed on accreditation of seven higher education courses of study offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd.

On 6 September 2021 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 the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 18 July 2017):

• Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Civil Transportation)
• Master of Engineering (Civil Transportation)

On 6 September 2021 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 53 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Condition 2 imposed on the accreditation of the following course offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 18 July 2017):

• Master of Engineering (Civil Transportation)

On 6 September 2021 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 course offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 1 June 2016):

• Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Safety, Risk and Reliability)
• Master of Engineering (Safety, Risk and Reliability)

On 6 September 2021 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 course offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 25 July 2018):

• Master of Engineering (Civil: Railway Infrastructure)

On 6 September 2021 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 53 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Condition 2 imposed on the accreditation of the following course offered by the Engineering Institute of Technology Pty Ltd (refer public report of 21 December 2016):

• Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Industrial Automation)
• Master of Engineering (Industrial Automation)

Main reasons for the decision

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

Provider category change

Report on provider category change for Technical and Further Education Commission

On 1 July 2021, TEQSA made a decision, under section 38 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), to change the provider category of Technical and Further Education Commission from Higher Education Provider to Institute of Higher Education.

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision in order to register Technical and Further Education Commission in one of the four categories available under the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021. This decision was made on the basis that TEQSA is satisfied that Technical and Further Education Commission meets the applicable category standards.

The decision to change provider category is a reviewable decision under section 183 of the TEQSA Act.

Further information

Information on TEQSA's regulatory approach and public reporting is available at www.teqsa.gov.au.