About Us

What is TEQSA?

We’re Australia’s independent national quality assurance and regulatory agency for higher education. Our purpose is to safeguard student interests and the reputation of Australia’s higher education sector by assuring the quality of higher education providers through a proportionate, risk-reflective approach to regulation.

Our work is underpinned by encouraging, supporting and recognising effective quality assurance and enhancement in Australian higher education providers.

In carrying out our regulatory work, we evaluate the performance of higher education providers against the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 which aims to safeguard the interests of current and future students.

When was TEQSA established?

In 2012 after a review of Australian higher education (the Bradley Review), it was recommended that an independent national regulator for all types of higher education be established.

The Australian Government’s response to the Bradley Review was a landmark reform package for higher education, which expanded the system and created new opportunities for all Australians to reach their education potential.

How does TEQSA operate?

As a standards and risk-based regulator. Our standards based regulation is centred on the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 that all providers must meet, and continue to meet, in order to be registered with TEQSA as an Australian higher education provider.  

Operating as a risk-based regulator allows us to ensure that our resources are directed to areas of higher risk, based on quality intelligence about a higher education provider’s operations.

What is the legal framework that governs Australian higher education?

• The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act) which calls for TEQSA to regulate higher education using a standards-based quality framework and principles relating to regulatory necessity, risk and proportionality.
• The Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework) which applies to all higher education providers. Set by the Minister for Education, on the advice of a panel with expertise in the delivery of higher education, they are the minimum level of achievement that a provider must meet (and maintain) to be registered to deliver higher education courses of study.
• The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act) which applies to providers offering higher education courses of study to students in Australia on student visas. These include:
  
  • higher education courses
  • Foundation Programs
  • English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) programs delivered by higher education providers.
• The National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018) provides nationally consistent standards for the conduct of registered education providers and the registration of their courses. The National Code also identifies the roles and responsibilities of the Australian, state and territory governments in discharging their regulatory functions.

What is the National Register of Higher Education Providers?

Also known as the National Register, it’s the authoritative source of information on the status of Australia’s higher education providers. You can search for registered higher education providers and their accredited courses of study. More information is available from our National Register of higher education providers

What is the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021?

A legislative instrument, also known as the HES Framework, set by the Minister for Education on the advice of a panel of experts in the delivery of higher education. The HES Framework consists of two parts:

• Part A: Standards for Higher Education – which represent the minimum acceptable requirements for the provision of higher education in or from Australia.
• Part B: Criteria for Higher Education Providers – which enables categorisation of different types of provider and whether a provider is responsible for self-accreditation of a course(s) of study it delivers. 

The Standards in the HES Framework are intended to be useful to higher education providers as a framework for internal monitoring of the quality of their higher education activities.

About higher education

What does the higher education sector consist of?

It consists of higher education providers, Australian universities, Australian universities of specialisation and overseas universities.

You can search for a higher education provider, or their courses, on our National Register of higher education providers.

What is a higher education provider?

All providers of higher education registered by TEQSA, through meeting the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework), become ‘higher education providers’. This title signals that the provider is a bona fide provider of quality higher education in Australia.

What is a higher education qualification?

Higher education qualifications span Australian Qualifications Framework levels 5-10, and include:

• undergraduate awards
  
  • bachelor honours degrees
  • bachelor degrees
  • associate degrees
  • advanced diplomas
  • diplomas.
• postgraduate awards
  
  • higher doctoral degrees
  • doctoral degrees
  • masters degrees (by research)
  • masters degrees (by coursework)
  • masters degrees (extended)
  • graduate diplomas
  • graduate certificates.

How many students study in Australian higher education?

Around 1.5 million in 2017. For more information on sector statistics, view our Statistics report on TEQSA registered higher education providers from the publications section of our website.

The Department of Education collects data on all higher education providers approved under the Higher Education Support Act. To view these statistics visit the Department of Education’s Student Data web page.

For students

For enquiries about Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, or Registered Training Organisations (RTO), contact the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). 

Higher education and VET provider numbers, codes and names

The Australian Government’s Tertiary Collection of Student Information (TCSI) website includes a list of higher education and VET provider codes and names. If you have any enquiries regarding the list, please contact the TSCI team in the Department of Education.

Overseas providers and qualifications

TEQSA is unable to advise whether your degree is recognised in Australia. For information on recognition of foreign qualifications, we suggest that you consider visiting the Australian Government’s International Education website and note the information regarding the recognition of foreign qualifications.

The Department of Education can provide information about the status of an Australian institution and information about an Australian qualification to third parties. Please email qualsrecognition@education.gov.au with your request.

Study courses

TEQSA does not offer courses of study. For information about studying in Australia please consider information available from the Study in Australia website.

Scholarships 

TEQSA does not provide or advise on scholarships. Scholarships are offered by a range of organisations including the State and Federal departments of education and higher education providers, who can provide information about their scholarships or other assistance directly.

International students – study and/or scholarships 

TEQSA does not have a role in advising on courses of study or scholarships available. For information about studying in Australia, we suggest that you consider information available from:

• Study in Australia website
  This is the official Australian Government website for international students. The website is the trusted source of information for prospective international students, their families and agents to learn more about Australia as a place to study.
  It contains carefully curated, practical and reliable information to help students make informed decisions about where they'd like to study in Australia, which course and institution best suits their needs, and what the experience can be like when they live and study here.
  It also sets out to reassure prospective students about the laws, legislations and specialist services in place in Australia, which ensure every individual feels safe, welcomed, supported and protected while in Australia.
  Study in Australia helps students to understand their rights and responsibilities on issues as diverse as visas, employment, and tuition fees, and is committed to looking after students every step of their study journey.
• ComparED / Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) website
  This website is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education. You can find information for prospective students about Australian higher education institutions, from the viewpoint of recent students and graduates. You can then contact your preferred providers in Australia to enquire about their programs and scholarships they offer.
• Course Seeker website
  Helps you make informed decisions about your future study by allowing you to access clear, meaningful and transparent information on ATARs/OPs, prerequisites and enrolment policies. Information has been sourced from across Australia and presented in a nationally consistent and comparable format to improve the transparency across the higher education sector.
• Department of Home Affairs website
  You can also use its webform if you have queries about studying in Australia as an international student.

International students – Australia Award Scholarships

TEQSA does not provide or advise on scholarships. 

The Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) administers the Australia Awards program, including the Australia Awards Scholarships. Information is available on the DFAT website.

Please note that the Australia Awards application may ask you to enter different types of CRICOS codes, that is, a CRICOS institution code (six digits) or a CRICOS course code (six digits and a letter). 

If you have any queries about the Australia Awards program or your application, please contact the administrator at australiaawardsdelivery@dfat.gov.au.

Who can I contact if I have an issue with FEE-HELP?

For information about government assistance for financing higher education, visit the StudyAssist website.

Who can I contact if I have incorrectly incurred a FEE-HELP debt?

Government assistance for financing higher education is the responsibility of the Australian Government (not TEQSA). Disputes should be discussed with the higher education provider in the first instance, and lodged with StudyAssist via the online form.

Who can I contact if I have an issue with my student visa?

The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for student visas. For more information visit the Department of Home Affair’s student visa page.

Can I make a complaint to TEQSA about my higher education provider?

Yes. Complaints about higher education providers help us to gather information that assists us in the regulation of the sector. For more information visit our Complaints section.

How do I make a complaint about my higher education provider?

You should access the policies and procedures they have established to resolve complaints. These policies and procedures should be easily accessible, consistent, fair and confidential and provide advice and support.

In most cases, your complaint should be resolved locally and informally. However, you may need to use your provider’s formal complaints procedures. For more information visit our Complaints section.

How does TEQSA monitor risks to students?

We carry out annual risk assessments of all registered higher education providers, which examine the delivery of quality higher education and look for a range of possible risks to students. For more information, visit our Students section.

TEQSA fees

Why do higher education providers with international students have to pay CRICOS fees?

To cover costs associated with reviewing providers’ request for CRICOS registration, ensuring the integrity of the data on CRICOS. This allows CRICOS to meet its objective of being a reliable source of information on higher education courses for international students wanting to study in Australia.

Where can I find more information on TEQSA’s fees?

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act) – Determination of Fees lists all of our activities which attract fees, including the amount charged.

View the TEQSA Act’s Determination of Fees.

I am having difficulty determining the fee I have to pay. Who can I talk to?

Please contact providerenquiries@teqsa.gov.au.

Can I withdraw an application for accreditation/registration?

Yes, but our fees are non-refundable.

Are there alternate payment options?

No.

Do TEQSA’s fees attract GST?

No.

Educational agents

TEQSA does not recruit students or use educational agents. 

However, the mandatory standards for higher education providers offering Australian qualifications include requirements relevant to educational agents. See section 7.1 of the Higher Education Standards Framework 2021. 

These standards require that agents and other parties that are involved in representing the higher education provider are bound by formal contracts with the provider. Their performance is monitored and prompt corrective action is taken in the event or likelihood of misrepresentation or unethical conduct.

The standards also require that representations, whether expressed or implied, about the outcomes associated with undertaking a course of study, eligibility for acceptance into another course of study, employment outcomes, or possible migration outcomes are not false or misleading.

TEQSA’s Enquiries Management team (providerenquiries@teqsa.gov.au) is the primary contact for registered higher education providers with TEQSA-related enquiries. However, TEQSA also has specialist contact teams across the agency that are best placed to assist you in a timely and efficient manner when you have a specific enquiry. Please use the following list of key contacts to help direct your enquiry to the most appropriate TEQSA team contacts.

Nature of enquiry	Example enquiries	Key Contact
New application for initial registration	Preparing an application for initial registration	Email new.registration.enquiries@teqsa.gov.au
In progress assessments for initial registration and accreditation for prospective providers	Enquiring about a submitted application	Contact the TEQSA staff member assigned to the assessment. If you are unsure who this is, contact new.registration.enquiries@teqsa.gov.au
In progress assessments for course accreditation or reaccreditation for existing providers	Enquiring about a submitted application for: new course accreditation for existing providers renewal of course accreditation.	Contact the TEQSA staff member assigned to the assessment. If you are unsure who this is, contact assessments@teqsa.gov.au
CRICOS matters	Enquiring about CRICOS or ESOS Act requirements Preparing an application for CRICOS registration or renewal of registration Submitting a CRICOS-related application e.g. to add a course Enquiring about a submitted CRICOS-related notification or application.	Email CRICOS@teqsa.gov.au
ELICOS and Foundation Program matters	ELICOS or Foundation Program provider enquiries Applying to add an ELICOS or Foundation Program to CRICOS Applying for an exemption to enrol students under the age of 17 in Foundation Programs.	Email CRICOS@teqsa.gov.au
Provider registration matters Renewal of registration Withdraw provider registration	Preparing an application for renewal of registration Submitting an application for renewal of registration Enquiries about renewal of registration applications in progress Requesting an extension to registration period Submitting an application to withdraw registration Enquiries about withdrawing registration	Email: reregistration.enquiries@teqsa.gov.au
Self-Accrediting Authority or Provider Category Change Self-accrediting authority (SAA)  Change provider category	Preparing an application for self-accrediting authority or provider category change Submitting an application for self-accrediting authority or provider category change Enquiries about applications in progress	Email: reregistration.enquiries@teqsa.gov.au
Application fees	Enquiring about refunds for application fees.	Email finance@teqsa.gov.au
Material changes	Submitting a material change notification.	Email materialchanges@teqsa.gov.au
Risk Assessment Framework	Enquiring about the risk assessment process.	Email risk@teqsa.gov.au
Provider Information Request (PIR)	Enquiring about the PIR.	Email collections@teqsa.gov.au
Sexual assault and sexual harassment guidance	Guidance about prevention and response to sexual assault and sexual harassment matters.	Email studentwellbeing@teqsa.gov.au
Compliance matters	Enquiring about a compliance matter that TEQSA has notified you about, for instance: a compliance assessment an investigation.	Contact the TEQSA staff member assigned to the compliance matter. If you are unsure who this is, contact the TEQSA Enquiries Management team (providerenquiries@teqsa.gov.au).
Complaints about TEQSA	Complaints about TEQSA’s practices, services or approach.	Email review@teqsa.gov.au
Preparing an application for: new course accreditation – existing providers renewal of course accreditation.	Applying for new course accreditation for existing providers Applying for renewal of course accreditation Enquiries about: withdrawing a course/ teach out requesting an extension to accreditation period.	Email: assessments@teqsa.gov.au
Conditions	Enquiries about: conditions imposed on registration or course accreditation	Email: conditionsundertakings@teqsa.gov.au
Any other matters, enquiries or guidance	Help with the Provider Portal, for example, changing and updating logins.	Contact TEQSA’s Enquiries Management team at providerenquiries@teqsa.gov.au

 

Raise a concern or complaint

TEQSA collects and analyses information to assure the quality of Australia’s higher education providers. One source of information used is concerns and complaints raised with us. This information helps TEQSA assess whether or not a provider is meeting their regulatory obligations.

Concerns and complaints are prioritised based on our compliance priorities. Generally, we pursue issues that pose the greatest risks to either students or the integrity, quality or reputation of Australia’s higher education sector.

If you wish to raise a concern or complaint, we recommend first checking that we are the most suitable organisation to assist. You can do this by reading the below section, How to raise a complaint or concern.

If you are a student seeking to resolve a complaint with your higher education provider, the National Student Ombudsman may be best placed to help you. The National Student Ombudsman works with students and higher education providers to resolve complaints. It is a free, independent service and does not take sides.

How to raise a complaint or concern

1. Raise your concern with the provider
2. Confirm TEQSA is the right organisation to help
3. Raise a complaint or concern.

1. Raise your concern with your provider

Before raising a complaint or concern with TEQSA, we encourage you to raise it directly with your provider, where appropriate. Providers have complaints processes in place to help you resolve issues.

Your provider’s process will generally require you to submit the complaint in writing. You should receive a formal response, outlining how your complaint will be considered and when you can expect a response. The provider should investigate your complaint and notify you in writing of the outcome.

If your complaint is not resolved by the provider’s internal processes, you can seek a review from an independent third party. Providers are required to have a process in place for students to seek an appropriate independent, third party review. This process must be available to students at no charge or at a reasonable cost. In many cases, the third party may be the office of an ombudsman, such as the National Student Ombudsman.

2. Confirm TEQSA is the right organisation to help

3. Raise a complaint or concern

Relocating or adding a new location

CRICOS-registered providers require approval from TEQSA to add any location to the provider's CRICOS registration, either through relocation or a new location.

Providers seeking TEQSA’s approval should submit an Intention to relocate or add new delivery site application through the provider portal.

Your application should demonstrate how your governing body has assured itself that the arrangements for the new location include adequate and appropriate space, staff and resources for students, in accordance with Standard 11.2 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018).

Your application should also take into consideration your total student capacity. If you wish to add a new location, you may request to transfer some of your existing student capacity from an existing location to the new location.

If you wish to increase your total student capacity, you will need to submit the Change Student Capacity on CRICOS application, and supporting evidence that demonstrates adequate space, staff, student resources to support your request.

Processing times

Standard 11.3 of the National Code 2018 requires providers to submit the application at least 30 days prior to the intended commencement date for delivery at the new location.

TEQSA strongly encourages providers to submit their application as soon as practicable and ensure it contains all of the information we require to make our decision.

TEQSA recognises that providers have operational and commercial interests in commencing delivery at a new site as soon as is practicable. While we endeavour to complete assessments as efficiently as we can, assessment times can vary considerably, depending on the:

• complexity of the application
• regulatory history of the provider
• risks identified by TEQSA
• volume of applications being assessed by TEQSA’s CRICOS team
• quality and completeness of the application and supporting materials.

Given these matters, and to allow TEQSA time to assess and finalise your application, we recommend that providers allow at least 60 days from the date they make their application to the proposed date of commencement of delivery at the new site. TEQSA will only approve a new location where we are satisfied that all relevant criteria have been met.

Evidence requirements

Self-assurance report

TEQSA requires that providers seeking to add a new location to their CRICOS registration or relocate a location submit a self-assurance report.

A self-assurance report is an opportunity for providers to demonstrate the effectiveness of their self-assurance mechanisms.

The self-assurance report should outline how the provider’s governing body assures itself of the quality of its education operations, and that it meets and will continue to meet the requirements applicable to maintaining adequate and appropriate space, staff, and resources for students at its locations, of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act), National Code 2018 and, where relevant, the ELICOS Standards 2018 (ELICOS Standards) and the Education Services for Overseas Students (Foundation Program Standards) Instrument 2021 (Foundation Program Standards).

The self-assurance report for an Intention to relocate or add new delivery site application should consist of no more than 5 pages, and address the requirements set out below.

Note: all claims made in the self-assurance report must be substantiated by evidence, with reference to specific supporting documents in-text. Wherever possible, supporting evidence should be directly accessible via in-text hyperlinks, included as attachments to the report where specified, or otherwise listed in an index for later submission on request.

Key considerations

As part of the self-assurance report, providers wishing to relocate or add a new location on CRICOS should:

1. Provide evidence of how risks have been identified, managed, and mitigated, and how the provider will manage these risks going forward, including areas for continuous improvement, and associated actions and measures to monitor success.
2. Demonstrate how the provider manages key sector risks in the following areas:

Student recruitment and admission	TEQSA recommends that providers consider: sector alerts in relation to recruitment, admission, and support of overseas students, and provider responsibilities when using education agents guidance on admissions (coursework) and making higher education admissions transparent for prospective students.
Student participation, support and experience	TEQSA recommends that providers consider: guidance on staffing, learning resources and educational support, wellbeing and safety the Department of Education’s best practice international student engagement guides the Australian Government’s Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education good practice resources on welfare and wellbeing.
Workforce capability	TEQSA recommends that providers consider: guidance on workforce planning and staffing, learning resources and educational support.

3. Outline how the provider is maintaining robust oversight of the effectiveness of its mechanisms for monitoring the performance of its education agents.
4. Outline how the governing body is currently assuring itself that the mechanisms it has in place are effectively managing the risk that it is recruiting non-genuine students.

To demonstrate appropriate space

5. Outline the rationale for relocating or adding a new location, including how the application aligns with the provider’s strategic and business plans.
6. Outline the due diligence undertaken by the provider in vetting the new location including any approvals acquired by the Academic Board or governing council.
7. State the number of domestic students expected to attend the campus.
8. If the space will be used by any other provider, outline how the space will be shared.
9. If the location has previously been approved for delivery to overseas students and registered on CRICOS, include details of the previous provider registered at the location.
10. Outline security arrangements for the location during operating hours, including library hours or after hours.
11. Include as an attachment to the self-assurance report:
    • a current signed lease for the location
    • evidence of the approved maximum occupancy for the location; if evidence of an approved maximum occupancy is unavailable, include floor plans showing dimensions of all spaces
    • a draft timetable, demonstrating how the requested student capacity will be accommodated in the space, including appropriate time for student cohorts to change between classes without exceeding the location's maximum capacity, staff at the location, and an allocation for students using common spaces at the location
    • evidence of the location’s approval for education purposes (9B classification)
    • floor plans that show teaching spaces, amenities, student breakout area, meeting and staff rooms, library, counselling rooms and any specialist teaching facilities required for any course.

To demonstrate appropriate staff

12. State the number of full-time and casual academic staff and non-academic staff (e.g. librarian, admin, IT) and any supporting evidence to show that the number of staff will be appropriate for the projected student numbers.
13. Include data outlining the number of projected overseas and domestic students at the location over the next 3-5 years, and supporting evidence to show that the number of staff, and associated resources and support will be appropriate for the projected student numbers, including student to staff ratios. Please use the following template to help communicate your workforce planning and student growth projections: SSR calculation template 
14. Include as an attachment to the self-assurance report:
    • a current workforce plan, highlighting plans for recruitment of new staff, staff training and induction.

To demonstrate appropriate student resources and support

Note: If you are relocating and all current academic and non-academic staff, student resources, and supports will be available at your new location, please state this clearly in your application. If TEQSA has previously assessed the appropriateness of the staff and student resources, no further evidence will be required to assess the appropriateness of staffing, student resources, and support.

15. Describe IT resources and library resources and facilities available at the location.
16. Outline whether the library is accessible and open for extended hours for ease of student access.
17. List student support services available at the location.
18. Include evidence that student support services including academic support will be sufficient to service the number of students at the location.
19. Include as an attachment to the self-assurance report:
    • the provider’s critical incident policy, including emergency contacts.

To demonstrate compliance with obligations under section 46D of the ESOS Act

If you are relocating students from an existing location to a new location, please provide a copy or draft of the correspondence to advise students about the relocation. This should demonstrate how obligations under section 46D of the ESOS Act will be discharged by the provider where the provider has defaulted in relation to the student, as defined in section 46A of the ESOS Act.
 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can I register a campus with multiple premises as a single location?

For providers with self-accrediting authority (SAA), TEQSA only requires the registration of a single location on CRICOS where learning takes place in multiple connected premises (commonly referred to as a campus). Premises may be considered connected when they are located in the same suburb or locality, or otherwise in close proximity. Providers should ensure that students are not disadvantaged when required to travel between premises within the registered location. In addition, providers should submit a material change to notify TEQSA when a premises at a new address is added to an existing campus/registered location. TEQSA expects that SAA providers assure themselves of ongoing compliance with all requirements of the National Code 2018 when managing multiple connected premises at a registered location.

Do I need to make an application to remove a registered location from CRICOS?

Am I required to apply to add a location if I am adding a new level at a multi-level building where I already have a location registered?

Yes. If you are adding a new level at a multi-level building where you already have a location registered, TEQSA will need to assess the suitability of the new level.

Further information

For more information or assistance applying to relocate or add a new location, please contact the CRICOS team at cricos@teqsa.gov.au.

Changing student capacity on CRICOS

CRICOS-registered providers are required to ensure that the maximum number of overseas students for a location (student capacity) reflects the appropriateness of the staff, education resources, and facilities for the delivery of courses.

Providers seeking to change the student capacity at a location or to reallocate capacity between locations, should apply to Change student capacity on CRICOS through the provider portal.

An application must demonstrate that the space, staff and education resources are adequate to support the requested student capacity, in accordance with Standard 11.2 of the National Code 2018.

Your application should consider your total student capacity across all CRICOS-registered locations. If the application is concurrent with an Intention to relocate or add new delivery site application, you may request to transfer some of your existing student capacity from an existing location to the new location. This reflects the reallocation of staff and/or resources between registered locations.

TEQSA will also consider a provider’s capacity to identify and mitigate key risks in the recruitment of overseas students.

Providers applying to increase their total student capacity should expect that TEQSA will look closely at their effectiveness in managing risks associated with the recruitment of overseas students. This will involve analysis of data from PRISMS and other sources in relation to student outcomes and the performance of contracted education agents.

TEQSA will only approve a change to student capacity where it is satisfied that all relevant criteria have been met and that the provider is effectively managing risks associated with the recruitment of overseas students.

Processing times

Standard 11.3 of the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018) requires providers to apply at least 30 days prior to the time at which the change to the provider’s capacity at a location(s) or total capacity is proposed to take effect.

TEQSA recognises that providers have operational and commercial interests in seeking an outcome on their request to change student capacity as soon as is practicable. While we endeavour to complete assessments as efficiently as we can, assessment times can vary considerably, depending on the:

• complexity of the application
• regulatory history of the provider
• risks identified by TEQSA
• volume of applications being assessed by TEQSA’s CRICOS team
• quality and completeness of your application and supporting materials.

TEQSA strongly encourages providers to ensure that their application contains all the information TEQSA requires to make its decision.

Given these matters, we recommend that providers allow at least 60 days from the date they make their application for TEQSA to assess and approve your application.

There are no fees to submit the Change student capacity on CRICOS application. For more information regarding fees providers must pay in relation to other applications made to TEQSA, refer to our application-based fees page.

Evidence requirements

Self-assurance report

TEQSA requires that providers seeking to change capacity at a location registered on CRICOS or to reallocate capacity from an existing CRICOS-registered delivery location submit a self-assurance report.

A self-assurance report is an opportunity for providers to demonstrate the effectiveness of their self-assurance mechanisms.

The self-assurance report should outline how the provider’s governing body assures itself of the quality of its education operations, and that it meets and will continue to meet the requirements applicable to maintaining adequate and appropriate space, staff, and resources for students at its locations, of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act), the National Code 2018 and, where relevant, the ELICOS Standards 2018 (ELICOS Standards) and the Education Services for Overseas Students (Foundation Program Standards) Instrument 2021 (Foundation Program Standards).

The self-assurance report for an application to Change student capacity on CRICOS should consist of no more than 5 pages, and address the requirements set out below.

Note: All claims made in the self-assurance report must be substantiated by evidence, with reference to specific supporting documents in-text. Wherever possible, supporting evidence should be directly accessible via in-text hyperlinks, included as attachments to the report where specified, or otherwise listed in an index for later submission on request.

Key considerations

As part of the self-assurance report, providers wishing to change capacity at a location or to reallocate capacity from an existing delivery location on CRICOS should:

1. Provide evidence of how risks have been identified, managed and mitigated, and how the provider will manage these risks going forward, including areas for continuous improvement, and associated actions and measures to monitor success.
2. Demonstrate how the provider manages key sector risks in the following areas:

Student recruitment and admission	TEQSA recommends that providers consider: sector alerts in relation to recruitment, admission, and support of overseas students, and provider responsibilities when using education agents guidance on admissions (coursework) and making higher education admissions transparent for prospective students.
Student participation, support and experience	TEQSA recommends that providers consider: guidance on staffing, learning resources and educational support, wellbeing and safety the Department of Education’s best practice international student engagement guides the Australian Government’s Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education good practice resources on welfare and wellbeing.
Workforce capability	TEQSA recommends that providers consider: guidance on workforce planning and staffing, learning resources and educational support.

3. If the provider is applying to change capacity within 12 months of their most recent application, provide evidence that the change has been approved by the provider’s governing body, and that the provider has assured themselves there will be appropriate space, staffing and resources to accommodate the change.
4. Outline how the provider is maintaining robust oversight of the effectiveness of its mechanisms for monitoring the performance of its education agents.
5. Outline how the governing body is currently assuring itself that the mechanisms it has in place are effectively managing the risk that it is recruiting non-genuine students.

To demonstrate appropriate space

6. State the number of domestic students expected to attend the campus.
7. If the space will be used by any other provider, outline how the space will be shared.
8. If the location has previously been approved for delivery to overseas students and registered on CRICOS, include details of the previous provider registered at the location.
9. Outline security arrangements for the location during operating hours, including library hours or after hours.
10. Include as an attachment to the self-assurance report:
    • a current signed lease for the location
    • evidence of the approved maximum occupancy for the location; if evidence of an approved maximum occupancy is unavailable, include floor plans showing dimensions of all spaces
    • a draft timetable, demonstrating how the requested student capacity will be accommodated in the space, including appropriate time for student cohorts to change between classes without exceeding the location's maximum capacity, staff at the location, and an allocation for students using common spaces at the location
    • evidence the location is approved for education purposes (9B classification)
    • floor plans that show teaching spaces, amenities, student breakout areas, meeting and staff rooms, library, counselling rooms and any specialist teaching facilities required for any course.

To demonstrate appropriate staff

Note: If your application to change capacity is concurrent with an application to relocate or add a new delivery site and is for the reallocation of capacity (no increase to overall capacity), and you are moving all existing academic and non-academic staff from your previous location to your location, please state this clearly in your application. If TEQSA has previously assessed the appropriateness of staff, no further evidence will be required to assess the appropriateness of staff.

11. State the number of full-time and casual academic staff and non-academic staff (e.g. librarian, admin, IT) and any supporting evidence to show that the number of staff will be appropriate for the projected student numbers.
12. Include data outlining the number of projected overseas and domestic students at the location over the next 3-5 years and supporting evidence to show that the number of staff, and associated resources and support will be appropriate for the projected student numbers, including student to staff ratios. Please use the following template to help communicate your workforce planning and student growth projections: SSR calculation template
13. Include as an attachment to the self-assurance report:
    • a current workforce plan, highlighting plans for recruitment of new staff, staff training and induction.

To demonstrate appropriate student resources and support

Note: If your application is concurrent with an application to relocate or add a new delivery site, and all current student resources and supports will be available at your new location, please state this clearly in your application. If TEQSA has previously assessed the appropriateness of these student resources, no further evidence will be required to assess the appropriateness of resources.

14. Describe IT resources and library resources and facilities available at the location.
15. Outline whether the library is accessible and open for extended hours for ease of student access.
16. List student support services available at the location.
17. Include evidence that student support services including academic support will be sufficient to service the number of students at the location.
18. Include as an attachment to the self-assurance report:
    • the provider’s critical incident policy, including emergency contacts.

Further evidence

When assessing an application to increase overall student capacity, TEQSA considers the extent to which the provider has effective systems for identifying and mitigating key risks in the recruitment of overseas students. This is primarily achieved through the integrity of admissions and student support processes and procedures, and the robust oversight of the effectiveness of mechanisms for monitoring the performance of education agents.

Where a provider meets one or more of the following risk factors, their application will include further evidence demonstrating how it is managing risks associated with overseas student recruitment and admission and management of education agents, and how its governing body is currently assuring itself that the mechanisms it has in place are effective.

Providers should provide further evidence where they:

• are in their first registration cycle, OR
• have an Agency Incompletion Rate or Agency Visa Refusal Rate greater than 5% over the median for all agencies (based on the PRISMS Agency Dashboard), OR
• have received an overall ‘high’ risk to students rating or a ‘high’ rating for student attrition in the most recent TEQSA Provider Risk Assessment, OR
• have a condition imposed on their CRICOS registration.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Can I transfer student capacity between registered locations on CRICOS?

Student capacity is not automatically transferrable between registered locations. TEQSA conducts individual assessments of each registered location to determine suitability of the facilities, including the capacity of the premises in line with its existing approved capacity limits.

If a location is removed from CRICOS, its capacity will be deducted from the provider’s total overseas student capacity. Should a provider wish to increase the capacity of a CRICOS-registered location to accept students from locations removed from CRICOS, a Change student capacity on CRICOS application must be submitted. This application should include sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the space, staff and resources at the location are adequate to accommodate the increase in students.

Further information

For more information or assistance with preparing an application to change student capacity on CRICOS, please contact the CRICOS team at cricos@teqsa.gov.au.