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.
The Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HES Framework 2021) replaced the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015 (HES Framework 2015) on 1 July 2021. Information regarding the HES Framework 2021 (including a contextual overview and breakdown of each Domain) is available from our Higher Education Standards Framework 2021 section.
Supporting materials for online applications
Application guides
- Application Guide for Initial Registration as a New Higher Education Provider *updated 12 March 2020
- Application Guide for Renewal of Registration for Existing Providers *updated 29 August 2018
- Application Guide for Course Accreditation and Re-accreditation for Existing Providers *updated 6 September 2017
- Application Guide for Registration in any University Category *updated 6 December 2019
- Application Guide for Self-Accrediting Authority *updated 19 September 2022
Guidance note for application guides/templates
We appreciate the constructive feedback received to date on the revised application guides. While the beta consultation period for the application guides above has now closed, comments are still welcome.
Please direct any feedback to standards@teqsa.gov.au.
Good practice notes
- Addressing contract cheating to safeguard academic integrity
- Making higher education admissions transparent for prospective students
Guidance notes
View TEQSA's guidance notes relating to the HES Framework on our guidance notes page.
Online forms
Online application forms (for applications under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011) are available through the Provider Portal.
Prospective higher education providers applying for initial registration
- Registration in HEP Category
- Initial Course Accreditation
Registered higher education providers
- Course Accreditation existing provider
- Renewal of Course Accreditation
- Renewal of Registration
- Self-Accrediting Authority
These new forms are supported by a range of application guides (see above for examples).
Other guides
Confidentiality
Core Plus model for regulatory assessments
eLearning
ELICOS
English waivers
Risk assessment
- How TEQSA rates risk indicators
- Risk ratings: Examples of relevant context and provider controls that TEQSA considers
- TEQSA’s Approach to Risk Assessments of Stand-Alone ELICOS and Foundation Program Providers
Fit and proper person declarations
- TEQSA and ESOS fit and proper person requirements declaration form [MS Word, 137 KB] [PDF, 228 KB]
Please note that this fit and proper person declaration can be used for both the TEQSA and ESOS Acts.
Supporting materials for CRICOS applications
Contact your case manager for relevant application documents and access to online forms.
TEQSA's public disclosure policy
This document outlines our approach to public statements about regulatory actions and issues.
