Before applying for registration as a higher education provider

How to apply for registration as a higher education provider

Indicative timeframes for registration

How to apply to renew provider registration

How to apply for self-accrediting authority (SAA)

How to apply to change provider category

How to withdraw provider registration

Requirements and responsibilities for registered providers

Applicants should carefully consider whether they meet the following fundamental requirements for registration before applying to become a higher education provider. Applicants should consult with TEQSA before applying to ensure they understand the evidence they will need to submit.

This guidance is intended to be used by applicants to ensure that some of the major shortcomings that commonly arise in applications for registration have been addressed. It is not a summary or restatement of all relevant criteria, standards or matters that we will consider in assessing an application for registration.

• Provider Registration – Quick Process Guide (PDF, 600KB)

Before applying for registration as a higher education provider, applicants should ensure that they are able to demonstrate that:

1. They are an entity listed under the definition of regulated entity in Section 5 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act).
2. They have a clearly articulated higher education purpose that includes a commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom – Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework 2021), Standard B1.1.1.
3. They have a formally constituted and accountable governing body, which includes independent members that exercise competent governance oversight of all of its proposed higher education operations in or from Australia – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 6.1.1.
4. Members of its governing body are fit and proper persons – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 6.1.2.
5. Members of its governing body meet the Australian residency requirements (if any) of the instrument under which the applicant is established or incorporated, or otherwise there are at least two members of the governing body who are residents of Australia – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 6.1.2.
6. Their proposed staffing for each course of study is sufficient to meet the educational, academic support and administrative needs of students undertaking the course. This includes oversight by academic leaders with sufficient experience to develop a higher education learning environment – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 3.2.1.
7. They can operate effectively and sustainably and in compliance with all relevant legislative requirements and their constitution or equivalent – HES Framework 2021, Part A, Standard 6.2.1.
8. Their application for registration is in the approved form, accompanied by any information, documents and assistance requested (including a concurrent application for accreditation of at least one higher education course and all other information specified in the relevant application guide) as well as the relevant fee – Section 18(3) of the TEQSA Act.

To apply for registration as an Australian higher education provider, applicants must be:

• a constitutional corporation 
• a corporation established by (or under) a law of the Commonwealth or Territory
• a person who conducts activities in a Territory.

Under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011, all applications for registration must be accompanied by an application for accreditation of at least one course of study.

Applications must be on the approved online application form (available from the Provider portal), include all information requested, and be accompanied by the applicable fee and payment/invoice form. See more information on our fees page.

If the application for renewal registration is successful, we will determine the time period of registration. Under the TEQSA Act, this period can’t exceed seven years.

After reviewing the relevant guidance materials, and at least six months before submitting an application, prospective providers should contact new.registration.enquiries@TEQSA.gov.au to advise us of an intention to apply for registration.

Before applying to become a higher education provider

There are minimum requirements that all applicants must meet prior to applying for registration as a higher education provider.

For more information on these requirements, visit our Before applying to become a higher education provider page.

• Provider Registration – Quick Process Guide (PDF, 600KB)

Application guides and the Higher Education Standards Framework

TEQSA evaluates applications to register higher education providers against the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework).

Visit our Contextual overview of the HES Framework 2021 page for information regarding its context and an introduction to the Standards. More detailed overviews of each of the HES Framework’s Domains can be accessed from our Higher Education Standards Framework 2021 page.

We have produced a number of application guides to assist prospective higher education providers which can be accessed from our Application guides and support page.

Annual financial statements

Conditions of registration/accreditation

Notify a material change

Offences and penalties under the TEQSA Act

Student wellbeing

Provider Information Request

Tuition protection information

Scope and intent of the Domain

This Domain (Sections 6.1-6.3) of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework) encompasses:

• specification of an accountable governing body with some elaboration of its key governance roles
• specific corporate accountabilities to be demonstrated by the provider, which the governing body also assures itself are met
• requirements for academic governance oversight of a provider’s higher education activities.

This Domain represents a collection, at a corporate level, of the provider’s accountabilities, both as a responsible corporate entity and as a provider of quality higher education, including responsibility for compliance with the requirements of the other six Domains of the HES Framework. Some of these accountabilities reside solely with the governing body, although most rely on delegations of authority from the governing body to various parts/officers of the provider. 

Because of its overarching nature, the extent to which a provider demonstrates its capacity to meet the Standards of this Domain (along with Domains 5 and 7) as part of its ordinary business will be a significant factor in building TEQSA’s confidence about the provider’s capacity to meet and continue to meet the requirements of the HES Framework overall.

Our commentary

6.1 Corporate Governance

This Section requires a provider's governing body to be formally established by a legal instrument (e.g. by a specific Act or under the Corporations Act or State Act unless the provider is an individual operating from a Territory). The Standards do not prescribe the model of governance (e.g. Board/CEO or Board/Executive Director) but at least two members of the body must be independent and, consequently, could not be executive directors (the concept of an independent director is elaborated on in the Guidance Note for Corporate Governance).

The Standards require the governing body to exercise governance functions and to hold the organisation accountable, which TEQSA would expect to see reflected in the entity’s instrument of establishment, constitution, a board charter or the like and/or delegated authorities put in place by the governing body. Standard 6.1.3 specifies a number of key governance roles for the governing body. Provided these are carried out as contemplated by the Standard, we would not seek to specify how these roles are undertaken. Notable among these roles is the conduct of periodic independent reviews of the effectiveness of the governing body and the academic governance processes the provider has implemented. For an established provider, we will require reports of these reviews and evidence of improvements arising, or planned to arise, from them. In addition, we will also need to be satisfied that arrangements to meet contingencies including cessation as a provider are available and likely to be effective.

Reference point

• Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Fit and Proper Person Determination 2018. 

6.2 Corporate Monitoring and Accountability

This Section of the Standards specifies a series of critical accountabilities that the provider must be able to demonstrate, and that the governing body, as part of its governance role, must be able to satisfy itself are being met. The governing body should set in place delegated authorities required for effective governance, and TEQSA will review these (including their effectiveness). The governing body must also be able to demonstrate that it has assured itself that these accountabilities are being met as part of its ordinary business, for example, as recorded in its business agendas, confirmed minutes and actions arising such as compliance monitoring, risk management and monitoring of delegated authorities.

Management of risks must include risks to quality. We will expect the provider to be able to demonstrate how the governing body remains abreast of any occurrences of academic misconduct, serious complaints, critical incidents and actual or potential lapses in relation to the HES Framework (see Paragraphs j and k of Standard 6.2.1) through its reporting framework. The evidence required to demonstrate financial viability and the financial capability to meet the Standards and sustain the quality of higher education is detailed in the Application guide for new providers.

Reference points

• ASX Corporate Governance Council (July 2014, or as amended), Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (3rd Edition). 
• Universities Australia (July 2011), Voluntary Code of Best Practice for the Governance of Australian Universities.

6.3 Academic Governance

This Domain represents the highest level of academic governance oversight mechanisms established by the provider. Neither the Standards nor TEQSA prescribe the structures that may be employed (such as an Academic Board or Senate). However, the outcomes that are to be achieved are specified by the Standards and we will expect a provider to demonstrate that its chosen mechanisms for academic governance achieve these outcomes. A provider’s academic governance systems represent a critical oversight link between the provider’s detailed internal quality assurance arrangements (see Domain 5), the accountability of the governing body for the quality of the higher education it offers and for meeting the requirements of the HES Framework (see Domain 6).

We will expect to see evidence of high level academic oversight (e.g. policy development and review, performance analyses, review findings and actions arising) as contemplated by Standards 6.3.1-6.3.3 as part of the provider’s normal business, including reports and analyses presented to the governing body. A provider’s capacity to maintain effective academic oversight of its higher education activities will be critical to our confidence in the provider and their ability to meet the rest of the Standards.

Relevant guidance notes

The following guidance notes can be accessed at our Guidance notes page, or from the links below:

• Academic governance
• Academic and research integrity
• Academic quality assurance
• Corporate governance
• Delivery with other parties
• Financial assessment
• Financial standing

The self-assurance report is an opportunity for you to demonstrate the effectiveness of your institute’s self-assurance mechanisms. The report outlines how your governing body assures itself of the quality of higher education operations and compliance with the Threshold Standards. In particular, it should demonstrate to TEQSA how a provider monitors, manages and mitigates institutional risks.

In preparing your self-assurance report, TEQSA highly recommends demonstrating how your institute manages key sector risks in the following areas:

In addition, in preparing your self-assurance report, you are expected to self-identify and address any significant risks specific to your institute’s individual circumstances. This should include, but is not limited to, how your institute manages risks associated with:

• regulatory history and compliance, including the management of conditions, voluntary undertakings, compliance assessments, or other adverse outcomes in recent regulatory assessments by TEQSA
• risks identified as high by TEQSA in its most recent annual Provider Risk Assessment (e.g. high rates of student attrition, casualisation of academic staff, etc)
• recent significant changes, including changes to senior leadership, ownership, third-party arrangements, courses, or organisational structure, or significant events, including media reporting or public attention surrounding an issue at the institute
• issues identified by other government and regulatory bodies (ASQA, the Department of Home Affairs, etc), or professional accreditation bodies.

Further information

For further information when preparing your application for renewal of registration, please contact TEQSA’s re-registration team at reregistration.enquiries@teqsa.gov.au.