Before applying for registration as a higher education provider

How to apply for registration as a higher education provider

Key considerations for providers preparing a self-assurance report (initial registration)

Indicative timeframes for registration

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.

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

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

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.

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. Access more information on our fees page.

Under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011, initial registration applications in the ‘Institute of Higher Education’ category must be accompanied by an application for accreditation of at least one course of study.

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.

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 (Threshold Standards).

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 Threshold Standards Domains can be accessed from our Threshold Standards 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.

This page contains TEQSA resources published in the last 12 months, to support institutions, staff and students in considering the potential impacts and benefits gen AI tools pose for teaching, learning, assessment and research.