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Stakeholder views vital to TEQSA’s operations

31 January 2019

The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has released its Regulator Performance Framework (RPF) Report and associated stakeholder survey, which offer an overview of the agency’s performance during the 2017-2018 financial year.

The RPF Report, which includes feedback from the agency’s stakeholder survey, shows that TEQSA has responded to issues raised during previous stakeholder consultations, while continuing to meet targets for each of the key performance indicators set for regulators.

TEQSA chief executive Anthony McClaran said that both the RPF Report and results of the stakeholder survey were important in planning the agency’s future work, and ensuring the Australian higher education sector is not impeded by unnecessary or inefficient regulation.

“TEQSA’s RPF Report is a vital way of assessing whether the agency is operating in a manner that protects and enhances Australian higher education, while taking into account our stakeholders’ views”, said Mr McClaran.

“TEQSA’s stakeholders have told the agency that, for example, while they value our guidance on meeting the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework, we need to address the time taken to reach certain regulatory decisions. We’re now acting on this feedback”.

TEQSA has used the results of the RPF Report and stakeholder survey during the development of its most recent corporate plan, with measures in place to streamline aspects of regulation, cut response times, improve its case management model and enhance consultation on key changes.

The RPF is a Commonwealth Government-led initiative, which requires regulators to self-assess their performance over the reporting period. TEQSA’s RPF Report is based on operational data and the results of the agency’s sector-wide stakeholder survey, which was sent to all current and prospective higher education providers and relevant peak bodies in mid-2018.

The following information outlines feedback received by TEQSA in its stakeholder survey, and the action being taken by the agency to address it:

How TEQSA is addressing stakeholder feedback

Stakeholder feedback

   TEQSA action

 

Certain regulatory decisions take too long to reach

 Right arrow
  • Additional resources added to TEQSA’s assessment teams (more case managers)
  • Increase in permanent APS staffing levels to replace contractors (stop case manager churn and loss of corporate/ provider knowledge)
Requests for further information/responses to queries taking too long Right arrow
  • Review, develop and implement a revised case management approach to regulation with enhanced use of a partnership model
  • Additional resources added to TEQSA’s assessment teams (more case managers)
  • Increase in permanent APS staffing levels to replace contractors (stop case manager churn and loss of corporate/ provider knowledge)
Certain processes and/or approach to regulation not streamlined Right arrow
  • Streamline evidence requirements further for consistently low risk providers
  • Extend registration periods for consistently low risk providers
  • Undertake cross border regulatory activity through engagement with international quality assurance agencies
  • Work with accrediting bodies to streamline requirements and reduce duplication
Lack of understanding of providers' business/operational models Right arrow
  • Increase face-to-face meetings/ provider site visits (build better understanding of individual provider contexts)
  • Review, develop and implement a revised case management approach to regulation with enhanced use of a partnership model

More information

​​​Media enquiries

Raphael May, Assistant Director, Communications: raphael.may [at] teqsa.gov.au, 0437 143 012 or (03) 8306 2536