TEQSA Regulatory Advice and Support. TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency) is the national regulator for the higher education sector in Australia. If you’re thinking of starting a higher education provider in Australia, or if you’re already operating one and want to register with TEQSA, this step-by-step guide will help you navigate the registration process.
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Step 1: Determine if you need to register with TEQSA
The first thing you need to do is determine if your higher education provider needs to be registered with TEQSA.
Under the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF), all higher education providers that operate in Australia must be registered with TEQSA, unless they are exempt. Exemptions apply to providers that are:
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Accredited by the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF)
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Accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
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Accredited by the National VET Regulator (NVR)
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A university that is recognized by the Commonwealth Government
If you’re not sure if your higher education provider is exempt, you can contact TEQSA for guidance.
Step 2: Determine your registration category
Once you’ve determined that your higher education provider needs to be registered with TEQSA, the next step is to determine your registration category. There are four categories of registration:
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Provisional registration: This is for providers that are in the early stages of development and are not yet offering higher education courses. Provisional registration allows providers to develop and test their courses and processes before seeking full registration.
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Full registration: This is for providers that are offering higher education courses and have met the HESF standards. Full registration is generally valid for five years.
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Re-registration: This is for providers that have previously held full registration and are seeking to have it renewed.
Non-self accrediting registration: This is for providers that are offering higher education courses, but are not able to self-accredit those courses. Non-self accrediting registration is generally valid for five years.
Step 3: Prepare your application
Once you’ve determined your registration category, the next step is to prepare your application. The application process for each category is slightly different, so you’ll need to refer to the appropriate guidance material.
For provisional registration, you’ll need to submit a Provisional Registration Proposal, which includes:
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An overview of your higher education provider and the courses you plan to offer
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A description of your governance and management arrangements
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A risk assessment and management plan
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A quality assurance plan
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Evidence of your financial viability
For full registration, you’ll need to submit a Full Registration Proposal, which includes:
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An overview of your higher education provider and the courses you offer
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A description of your governance and management arrangements
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A risk assessment and management plan
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A quality assurance plan
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Evidence of your financial viability
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Evidence of your compliance with the HESF standards
For re-registration, you’ll need to submit a Re-registration Proposal, which includes:
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An overview of your higher education provider and the courses you offer
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A description of your governance and management arrangements
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A risk assessment and management plan
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A quality assurance plan
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Evidence of your financial viability
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Evidence of your compliance with the HESF standards
An update on any changes to your higher education provider since your last registration
For non-self accrediting registration, you’ll need to submit a Non-self Accrediting Registration Proposal, which includes:
An overview of your higher education provider and the courses you offer
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A description of your governance and management arrangements
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A risk assessment and management plan
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A quality assurance plan
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Evidence of your financial viability
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Evidence of your compliance with the HESF standards
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A list of the higher education courses you are offering and the accrediting body responsible for each course
It’s important to note that the above is just a general overview of the information you’ll need to include in your registration proposal. For a complete list of the information and documentation required, you should refer to the TEQSA website or contact TEQSA directly for guidance.
Step 4: Submit your application
Once you’ve prepared your registration proposal, the next step is to submit it to TEQSA. You can do this online through the TEQSA Portal, or by mailing a hard copy of your proposal to TEQSA.
Step 5: Wait for a decision
Once you’ve submitted your registration proposal, you’ll need to wait for a decision from TEQSA. The length of time it takes for a decision to be made will depend on the complexity of your proposal and the workload of TEQSA. You can check the status of your application online through the TEQSA Portal.
Step 6: Meet the conditions of your registration
If your registration is granted, you’ll need to meet the conditions of your registration. These may include things like submitting an annual report, providing evidence of your compliance with the HESF standards, or making changes to your courses or processes.
It’s important to note that your registration is conditional upon you meeting these conditions. If you fail to meet them, TEQSA may revoke your registration.
Step 7: Renew your registration
If you hold full registration or non-self accrediting registration, you’ll need to renew your registration before it expires. The renewal process is similar to the initial registration process, and you’ll need to submit a renewal proposal to TEQSA.
In conclusion, registering with TEQSA as a higher education provider in Australia is a multi-step process that requires careful planning and preparation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that you have a smooth and successful registration process.
