Introduction

In the accreditation process, academic quality often takes centre stage. However, student support services play an equally critical role. The alignment of Student Services and TEQSA Standards in University Accreditation is vital to achieving and maintaining compliance with Australia’s higher education regulator. Student wellbeing, access to resources, engagement, and support systems are all assessed under the Higher Education Standards Framework—making student services a foundational element of institutional quality.

This blog explores how student services contribute directly to TEQSA compliance, why they’re essential in building a high-performing education environment, and how institutions can align these services with national accreditation requirements.

Understanding the Connection Between Student Services and TEQSA Standards

Why Support Services Matter in University Accreditation

TEQSA regulates institutions under the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021, which explicitly requires that providers support student participation, progression, and achievement. Within this framework, Student Services and TEQSA Standards in University Accreditation are deeply interwoven across several domains, particularly:

• Domain 1: Student Participation and Attainment

• Domain 2: Learning Environment

• Domain 7: Representation, Information and Information Management

These areas require that students are not only given access to educational content but are also supported in their academic journey from enrolment to graduation.

Aligning Student Support with TEQSA Requirements

Structuring Student Services to Meet Accreditation Benchmarks

To satisfy TEQSA Standards, student services must be clearly defined, adequately resourced, and evaluated regularly. Key areas to address include:

• Orientation and Transition Programs: Helping students adjust to academic life

• Academic Support Services: Providing tutoring, study skills workshops, and writing assistance

• Personal Wellbeing Support: Including counselling, mental health services, and crisis management

• Technology and Access Services: Ensuring equitable access for online, remote, and disabled learners

Institutions that integrate these services into their operational plans demonstrate a genuine commitment to the student experience—and to TEQSA’s expectations.

Supporting Student Progression and Retention

Linking Student Success to TEQSA Accreditation Outcomes

Student services are central to improving retention and course completion rates—key indicators that TEQSA monitors during accreditation reviews. To align Student Services and TEQSA Standards in University Accreditation, providers should:

• Monitor student engagement and academic performance

• Implement early intervention strategies for at-risk students

• Use learning analytics and feedback to tailor support

• Offer flexible support formats (e.g., drop-in sessions, online portals)

When student support teams collaborate with academic departments, they create a cohesive ecosystem that fosters progression and success.

Enhancing Accessibility, Equity, and Inclusion

Meeting TEQSA Standards Through Inclusive Student Services

TEQSA emphasises the need for inclusive learning environments. Student services must reflect this by:

• Supporting students with disabilities or learning differences

• Offering culturally sensitive services for international and Indigenous students

• Providing access to language support, visa assistance, and financial counselling

• Ensuring equal access across campuses, including digital and regional learners

By championing equity, institutions not only comply with TEQSA but also improve the overall quality and inclusivity of their education delivery.

Information Accuracy and Student Representation

Strengthening Transparency and Feedback Mechanisms

According to TEQSA Standards, institutions must provide clear and accessible information about student services, academic policies, and complaints procedures. This includes:

• Maintaining accurate student handbooks, websites, and portals

• Ensuring students can easily access information on appeals, academic integrity, and support options

• Including student representation in committees related to support services and campus life

• Responding to feedback through quality improvement actions

Effective communication fosters transparency, trust, and stronger accreditation outcomes.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Embedding Quality Assurance into Student Service Delivery

TEQSA expects that all institutional services are regularly reviewed for quality and effectiveness. For Student Services and TEQSA Standards in University Accreditation, this involves:

• Establishing KPIs for service delivery and satisfaction

• Conducting regular student satisfaction surveys

• Evaluating service reach and engagement levels

• Reporting on service improvements in institutional self-assessments

Continuous improvement helps ensure that services not only meet but exceed TEQSA’s quality assurance expectations.

Fostering Collaboration Between Departments

Creating Integrated Compliance-Ready Support Systems

Student services must not operate in isolation. Accreditation success depends on integrated systems across the university. Institutions can strengthen collaboration by:

• Including student support staff in academic planning and compliance committees

• Aligning service goals with institutional strategic and quality assurance plans

• Creating shared dashboards for tracking progression, feedback, and satisfaction

• Delivering joint staff training across academic and support teams

This collaborative approach ensures that every aspect of student life is compliant, cohesive, and impactful.

Conclusion: Making Student Services Central to TEQSA Accreditation

In conclusion, Student Services and TEQSA Standards in University Accreditation are inseparable. Student wellbeing, engagement, and progression are not peripheral—they are central to quality assurance and institutional credibility. Providers that prioritise support services demonstrate their readiness to meet TEQSA’s expectations and their commitment to delivering high-quality, student-centered education.