Our Chief Commissioner, Professor Peter Coaldrake AO, has written to all higher education providers advising that TEQSA will issue a request for information (RFI) in June 2024. This request will ask providers to submit a credible institutional action plan, oversighted by the appropriate governance mechanisms, addressing the risk gen AI poses to the assurance of learning attainment. Providers will be asked to respond to the RFI in July 2024.

Providers are invited to a webinar on Thursday 21 March at 2pm (AEDT), to find out more about the RFI process and ask TEQSA any questions. 

Webinar video

TEQSA is also holding a webinar for organisations involved in professional accreditation. This webinar will be held on Monday 25 March at 2pm.

Information to assist providers in responding to the RFI is also available on our dedicated Artificial Intelligence Request for Information webpage, including key considerations for this RFI and FAQs.

Questions may be directed to: integrityunit@teqsa.gov.au.

• Artificial intelligence request for information: Frequently asked questions
• Artificial intelligence request for information: Provider action plans - key considerations

TEQSA has been responding to provider queries regarding the renewal of Undergraduate Certificate course accreditations.

Background

The Undergraduate Certificate was added to the AQF Second Edition January 2013 as a qualification to upskill workers displaced by COVID-19. Addendum 4 provides:

• The Undergraduate Certificate specifications are available for use from May 2020 until 30 June 2025.
• Issuing organisations must not issue an Undergraduate Certificate qualification after 30 June 2025, unless the qualification type is extended by Education and Skills Ministers from the Australian, State and Territory Governments.
• Issuing organisations that are compliant with the Australian Qualifications Framework Second Edition January 2013 are deemed compliant with this addendum and are able to use the Undergraduate Certificate specification from May 2020 to 30 June 2025, unless the qualification type is extended by Education and Skills Ministers.

Action providers should take

While TEQSA expects providers will continue to monitor all their accredited courses, at least on an annual basis, no action on renewal of accreditation is required at this stage for Undergraduate Certificates that have 30 June 2025 expiry dates.

This is because TEQSA is unable to renew an Undergraduate Certificate accreditation unless Education and Skills Ministers from the Australian, State and Territory Governments extend these qualifications.

If the Education and Skills Ministers decide to extend the qualifications, TEQSA will determine a shorter period for the submission of renewal applications, pursuant to s55(1)(b) of the TEQSA Act. Should this occur, we will be in touch with providers about the process for renewal of accreditation.

TEQSA expects providers to inform students who are enrolled, or planning to enrol, in an Undergraduate Certificate of the limited nature of this qualification. If the Undergraduate Certificate qualification is not extended, students will need to complete their studies and have their awards conferred by 30 June 2025.

Please note that these limitations and advice only applies to Undergraduate Certificates. Graduate Certificates should be renewed per the usual process and within statutory timelines.

Action TEQSA is taking

We’re continuing to engage with the Commonwealth Department of Education about this matter and will provide updates to the sector once a decision has been made by Education and Skills Ministers from the Australian, State and Territory Governments.

In addition to sharing this information with providers, TEQSA has also updated the Frequently Asked Questions on our website.

Further information

• Applications for accreditation of Undergraduate and Graduate Certificate courses (short courses)
• Undergraduate Certificate (AQF)
   

We've established a new webinar series to help inform the sector about our regulatory work, quality assurance matters and sector risk. The TEQSA Talks webinars will also provide opportunities for providers and other stakeholders to ask questions of us.

The first TEQSA Talks webinar will be held on Wednesday 17 April 2024, from 2-3pm (AEST). Registration to attend is essential.

Register now

Visit TEQSA Talks for more information.

TEQSA has today alerted all Australian higher education institutions to changes observed in the behaviour of commercial academic cheating services. Reports and observations suggest operators are becoming more aggressive in their promotional activities and are more frequently targeting the students who use their services for blackmail and identity theft.

TEQSA has written to registered providers outlining the observed behaviour of cheating services and highlighting the actions institutions should take to mitigate the risk to students, staff and academic integrity.

Higher Education Integrity Unit Director Dr Helen Gniel said: "We know that higher education providers take these risks seriously and have been proactive in responding by working to educate students, detect cheating and upskill staff. We appreciate the sector’s ongoing commitment to meet the challenges of this evolving threat."

Amendments to the TEQSA Act in September 2020 made it illegal to provide or advertise a commercial academic cheating service in Australia. The new laws also empowered TEQSA to take action to disrupt access to illegal websites targeting students at Australian institutions.

As of April 2024, TEQSA has disrupted almost 290 illegal cheating websites and had 841 social media accounts, posts or adverts providing or advertising illegal cheating services removed.

Last year, we also launched an online course, Masterclass: contract cheating detection and deterrence. This course is available free to academic and professional staff at Australian higher education providers and to date has received 3098 registered users.

Dr Gniel said a range of resources for students, including in languages other than English, and the sector continue to be updated on TEQSA’s website.

"TEQSA is leading Australia’s regulatory and educative approach to prevent, detect and respond to commercial academic cheating services that threaten the integrity of Australian higher education."

Media enquiries

comms@teqsa.gov.au, 0437 143 012

TEQSA and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) have strengthened their close relationship by signing a renewed memorandum of understanding (MoU). This significant step reaffirms a long-term commitment by both agencies to work together united as equal partners to combat commercial academic cheating.

Since joining forces, among many achievements, TEQSA and QQI have established the Global Academic Integrity Network (GAIN) to unite changemakers across the world in the name of academic integrity. 

The MoU, signed and discussed at a recent online meeting of both agencies, commits TEQSA and QQI to the principles of cross-border higher education. They will also work to implement the related recommendations in the UNESCO guidelines for quality assurance in cross-border higher education.

TEQSA Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Mary Russell said:

“TEQSA welcomes the publication of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee’s report into current and proposed sexual consent laws.

“This report brings into clear focus the lived experience and trauma of students who have experienced sexual harm. Many feel that higher education providers and the regulator have failed them when they have asked for help. We acknowledge the commitment and courage of those who shared their stories to help improve things for all students.

“TEQSA is committed to playing its part in the Government’s work to strengthen prevention and responses to sexual harm. We agree that there is much more work to be done and will continue to engage with students, experts, advocates and higher education providers to help make higher education a safer place. 

“We also acknowledge that more significant progress is needed. That’s why we’re working to improve our regulatory response to the risks and responses to sexual harm across higher education, with a view to having stronger measures in place in time for the start of classes in 2024. We are also continuing our work to make sure our responses to those who raise complaints with TEQSA are trauma informed.

“We understand that publication of this report may cause distress to some higher education students and staff. TEQSA calls on all higher education providers to ensure details of their support services are accessible and promoted to students. We expect all providers to be clear and unambiguous in their commitment to making progress on these issues and supporting students who have experienced harm. 

“Anyone who is experiencing distress should contact the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service 1800RESPECT by calling 1800 737 732 or visiting 1800RESPECT.org.au to access online support.”