The Australian Government’s COVID-19 pandemic higher education relief package included TEQSA application fee waivers. As a result, during late 2021 and into 2022, TEQSA received an unprecedented number of applications for registration and applications for course accreditation and renewals. This is likely to lead to extended application processing times into 2023.
TEQSA has noted an increase in the number of applications that include evidence that is incomplete or contains errors. TEQSA will inform a provider if an application submitted to TEQSA is not valid (in terms of not meeting the requirements set out in the relevant legislation) and inform the provider if a new application needs to be made. The timelines for application processing do not commence, and fees will not be incurred by the provider, until a valid application is made.
Registered Institutes of Higher Education can apply for authority to self-accredit one or more courses of study. The authority to self-accredit courses can be granted for all current and future courses, or for specific courses, fields of education and/or levels.
The authority to self-accredit courses is a significant responsibility. Providers who self-accredit their courses of study are accountable for:
- interpreting the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework)
- ensuring throughout the development, approval, delivery and discontinuance of a course of study that the HES Framework will be appropriately applied and met.
Institutes of Higher Education who self-accredit their courses are also responsible for ensuring that compliance across all the HES Framework is sustained throughout their higher education operations.
Applications must be on the approved online application form, include all information requested, and be accompanied by the applicable fee and payment/invoice form. See more information on our fees page.
We will assess applications against the criteria in Part B2 of the HES Framework.
Before submitting
Please review the Application Guide for Self-Accrediting Authority. You should discuss any questions with your case manager.
Application forms
Application forms are available from TEQSA’s Provider Portal.
For samples of the forms found on the Provider Portal, contact enquiries@teqsa.gov.au.
